Weight is good. I want to scale one soon and put it on the front of Evom. Even better if I can get a ride in/ drive one.

The scuttle on forums now is advertised power delivery isn't there by a long shot. The aftermarket will correct this with ease, but their community ain't having it.

 

I would buy it if I could afford adding a 3rd vehicle to my stable. Seems like a better option than an STI or Golf R...

 

Edited for truth.

btw looks like I am going to test drive one this weekend while I go look at another Fiesta ST to lease. Unless the RS sells by then...

 

Lucky sucker. Confirmation the one I had "on hold" got sold out underneath me before they even have it in production. Dealership manager apologized and offered to bring one in at MSRP, but ain't no way I am committing to buy one until the aftermarket proves it lives up to all the hype.

 

originally the rumors were that they were in the 3500+lb range, which I agree is too heavy... its around what the EvoX is and I think thats too heavy, the stock engine off boost just isn't enough to pull it around... it was a burning the clutch any time I had to start on a steep hill. and driving around down town seattle that happened quite a bit.

but for a new AWD car I think under 3400 is reasonable. 100+ lb less plus .3 liters worth of torque more, I think its ok... Name another AWD newish car that weighs less? Evo 8/9 doesn't count cause they're 10 years old at the newest now.

what would be a good weight in your book for a new AWD car in the $40k range?

 

The Evo 8/9 was also built on an old as ***** chassis and had horrible crash ratings.

 

It sounded to me like full power is only available for 20 second blasts. I guess this scuttlebutt is indicating that even when accounting for this, the power is "inconsistent"?

 

The RS has the same "Overboost" feature just like the Focus ST and the Fiesta ST have from the factory.

However, this inconsistency that people are complaining about is different and sounds like a bunch of the ECU safeguards being hit. We are talking 40-50whp changes.

The Focus ST and Fiesta ST have some overly conservative safeguards in the ECU that would do what is being stated as far as bringing power down. (I've changed a bunch in my Fiesta ECU for track use) However they where never this sensitive. I'm assuming the RS is even more conservatively tuned.

Still waiting to see how the car reacts to tuning.

 

Well if we go off the Mountune scales with the Focus RS at 3383 lbs., then the VW Golf R manual (3283 lbs), VW Golf R automatic (3340 lbs), Audi RS3 (1520 kg./3351 lbs.), and Audi TT (3220 lbs) all weigh less.

I am spoiled by the older (lighter) awd turbo cars. I don't want navi/heated seats/fake engine sounds in my performance car. I am looking forward to see what the next gen STI will be with the new lighter modular platform and (hopefully) 2.0 engine.

If the Focus RS weighed 3200 lbs, had flared fenders, and an awd system with a center diff I probably would buy one. As it stands though, IMO it falls short of my Evos where it counts.

http://media.vw.com/doc/1342/16639762254eb40c8bd4a5.pdf
https://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/a...-sportback.pdf
http://www.caranddriver.com/audi/tt-tts

 

No you wouldn't.

 

So you want it be lighter, but you want things added to the car that would likely add weight. Widebody panels don't weight 0lbs. And I'm sure adding a center diff to the AWD system and then an AYC style rear diff would be heavier than the twinster unit itself.

The car looks fine IMO. I just want to see how the AWD system fairs..

 

You are right, the Focus chassis is probably too heavy of a starting point. What I really want is a Fiesta RS http://www.worldrallyblog.com/2013/0...new-fiesta-r5/

 

Speaking of which. I was looking at a Mazda CX3 this weekend, which is based off the Fiesta chassis (same as Mazda 2).

The CX3 is available in AWD so I looked under the rear and it's rear diff and suspension arm setup is very basic. It looks like everything would bolt right up to the Fiesta. The CX3 in FWD version weighs approx 2800lbs, 100 lbs more than the Fiesta ST. The CX3 AWD version weighs approx 2950lbs. The CX3 AWD version is automatic.

Imagine the CX3 AWD system in the Fiesta ST. Or put the 1.6L turbo from the Fiesta and CX3 AWD system in the Mazda 2. A base Mazda 2 weighs 2300lbs.

I love my Fiesta ST, if it was AWD it would be F'in amazing.

The R5 is awesome but so far away from what a RS model would be... The R5 is a purpose built WRC car. Granted, one of the most affordable and accessible one...

 

The car I am really hoping comes to the states, is the new Lancia Delta (branded as an Alfa Romeo) http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...e-could-return