Focus RS
No, cars used to have different catalytic converters setup, among other things (egr, EVAP, smog pumps) etc, for California. These parts were not always equipped on cars for the rest of the country. It was mainly catalysts (Cali cars would have a 2 cat system, when other markets would get a single cat system) and smog pumps that would be different for Cali.
Cars have had knock sensors to deal with lower octane fuel (or getting a bad tank of fuel) for a long time.
No, cars used to have different catalytic converters setup, among other things (egr, EVAP, smog pumps) etc, for California. These parts were not always equipped on cars for the rest of the country. It was mainly catalysts (Cali cars would have a 2 cat system, when other markets would get a single cat system) and smog pumps that would be different for Cali.
Cars have had knock sensors to deal with lower octane fuel (or getting a bad tank of fuel) for a long time.
Cars have had knock sensors to deal with lower octane fuel (or getting a bad tank of fuel) for a long time.
CA for a long time had different, significantly stricter emissions from the rest of the country. It didn't make sense to add weight and cost for the other 49 states. Two things have happened - one is that a third of the country has signed onto CARB's rules, and the second is that the federal standards have really come down a lot. So now it doesn't make much sense to make two cars for the US; it's cheaper and easier to just make everything meet CARB's rules.
We get less power because of the fuel (as mentioned), because CARB emissions standards are somewhat harder to meet, and because Americans tend to drive a lot more (25-50% more than Europe, and 2-3 times Japan) (and are probably worse about maintaining their vehicles
). Probably some other reasons on top of that (warranty/legal?), but those are the main differences.
We get less power because of the fuel (as mentioned), because CARB emissions standards are somewhat harder to meet, and because Americans tend to drive a lot more (25-50% more than Europe, and 2-3 times Japan) (and are probably worse about maintaining their vehicles
). Probably some other reasons on top of that (warranty/legal?), but those are the main differences.
Its actually usually due to ****ty fuel. The US has terrible fuel. Most of the rest of the world has 94-95 octane, best the US has for pump gas is 93, and that's not everywhere, most cars have come to the US able to run on 91 octane, which is a decent power loss.
Most OEM's don't spec different emissions equipment for different markets anymore. We don't even have California and 49 state cars anymore like there was in the '90's.
Most OEM's don't spec different emissions equipment for different markets anymore. We don't even have California and 49 state cars anymore like there was in the '90's.
Agreed...We may be a bit envious of the slightly higher HP outputs seen from the EU and Japan models compared to what we get. I wouldn't trade it for our cheaper fuel costs that I am sure the EU is envious of.
Last edited by whtrice; Mar 23, 2015 at 07:12 PM.
There are different accepted standards used to measure the anti-knocking characteristics of gas. The octane number you see at US pumps is the average of two such octane numbers; the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON). This average number is sometimes referred to as the Anti Knock Index ("AKI") or the US Cost of Living Council method ("CLC"). The RON and MON numbers are determined by American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM") laboratory tests. Thus, US octane numbers are described as, e.g., 93 AKI or 93 CLC. The equivalent RON number in other countries would be 98.
Agreed...We may be a bit envious of the slightly higher HP outputs seen from the EU and Japan models compared to what we get. I wouldn't trade it for our cheaper fuel costs that I am sure the EU is envious of.
Agreed...We may be a bit envious of the slightly higher HP outputs seen from the EU and Japan models compared to what we get. I wouldn't trade it for our cheaper fuel costs that I am sure the EU is envious of.
I'm aware of that, fuel in other places is typically what would be equivalent to US 94-95 AKI, versus what we typically get in the us, which is 91-93. Those couple of octane points make a decent difference.
Yeah I hate to say it but if I were about to drop another 40 grand on a rally beast it would be the focus rs.
That new sti looks nice but it kills me they didn't put the new motor in it.
That new sti looks nice but it kills me they didn't put the new motor in it.
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 362
Likes: 7
From: IL
With the RS being so new it will have problems out of the gate. We don't know what those will be but if you are willing to deal with that go for the RS. IMO Subaru will upgrade the STi or kill it all together sit tight for now.
The RS is built on a solid platform and I would venture it's issues will be small. For my money, there isn't a whole lot out there or coming out that is even close to as enticing as the RS.
