In October, I chopped my Focus RS in for an AWD Kuga. I had gotten a bit bored with the RS, and was on my 3rd in 2 years! The wife fancied the Kuga so a deal was done. The plan was to stay in the Kuga till the next RS comes out in the next few years.

I have to admit, by the end of the first day of owning the Kuga, I knew it wouldn't be staying long.

Anyway, yesterday I cut my losses, and much to my wife's annoyance swapped the Kuga for a Tangerine Scream new Focus ST-2. It's fabulous. Should keep me sane till the next RS!

Coming back from near Manchester yesterday, at sensible motorway speeds the ST returned over 35mpg. Really pleased with that.

35mpg on a run when not pressing on?

To be fair, it's not the sort of car you buy for economy though is it, it's not important.

What's important is the smile it puts on your face.

Quite a few of the GT-R boys have come from the Focus RS.

They seem popular and very good on a run, once you get them rolling.

Nice. The 2.0 Ecoboost is suppose to be pretty reasonable fuel wise. I saw a blue estate recently, looked well smart.

I had the old st-3 with the 2.5 turbo and i hated it! Was the worst car i ever owned!

But i suppose everyone is different

till the next RS comes out in the next few years.

Where did you get your information that one is coming out?

As far as I was aware no decision has been made......

Also do you find the ST torque steers much?

Cheers

Edited 29 December, 201213 yr by LHutchin

I used to be an area rep on the focusrsoc club, and am still active in that club. We know loads of Ford guys that keep dribbling info to us. Ford is making an RS. They sold 11500 of the mk2! One guy has just told us Ford has put out to tender some components for the next RS. One thing for sure though, with the ST just being released they will want that model to enjoy some time in the spotlight.

Edited 29 December, 201213 yr by Thehulkster

I had the old st-3 with the 2.5 turbo and i hated it! Was the worst car i ever owned!

But i suppose everyone is different

Completely different car to the new one buddy. Mine is the new mk3.

Edited 29 December, 201213 yr by Thehulkster

Incidentally, the mpg of the Kuga was SHOCKING. Combined meant to be around 44mpg. Driving normally on mixed roads we were seeing actual figures of around 35mpg. If we went on a long motorway run, up around 70mph the economy got WORSE at around 30mpg!

Completely different car to the new one buddy. Mine is the new mk3.

And the mk2 ST is completely different than the mk2 RS. Absolutely amazing car to drive. Bet the 2.0 eco boost doesn't sound like the 5 pot!? :(

From the outside its quiet. But from the inside the synthetic noise that is piped through to the cabin is very nice indeed. Almost RS like.

But I'm not going down that road. It's not an RS! I know - I owned 3!

I could have gotten into a 4th RS for less money. But I have been there, done one that to death. I fancied a complete change, on a nice new modern car. Plus I has 5 doors, which I love, although there are many that don't.

At least for the next year or so until more concrete details on the next RS come out. If Ford decide to delay it further, I'll go the mountune route with the ST.

Edited 29 December, 201213 yr by Thehulkster

From the outside its quiet. But from the inside the synthetic noise that is piped through to the cabin is very nice indeed. Almost RS like.

But I'm not going down that road. It's not an RS! I know - I owned 3!

I could have gotten into a 4th RS for less money. But I have been there, done one that to death. I fancied a complete change, on a nice new modern car. Plus I has 5 doors, which I love, although there are many that don't.

At least for the next year or so until more concrete details on the next RS come out. If Ford decide to delay it further, I'll go the mountune route with the ST.

If its anything like the fiesta ST you'll be going mountune alright haha

My last RS was mountuned stage 2. Was running at 385bhp.

Quite 'nippy'.

My last RS was mountuned stage 2. Was running at 385bhp.

Quite 'nippy'.

I'm sure it was.

Was it mapped to limit wheelspin in the lower gears or did it allow it and rely on the car electronics to control it.

I'm sure it was.

Was it mapped to limit wheelspin in the lower gears or did it allow it and rely on the car electronics to control it.

They aren't too bad at all for wheel spin with the revo knuckle and trick struts etc all things considered for a high powered Front wheel drive car.

They aren't too bad at all for wheel spin with the revo knuckle and trick struts etc all things considered for a high powered Front wheel drive car.

385bhp can't be put down directly, it has to be controlled in some way. It's nearly 200bhp per front tyre.

I know they have the revo knuckle, but it either needs a slick map or some electronics.

Can't believe it relies on typical hot hatch traction control.

There is no way you can full launch them off the line, with it bitting and going. I'm curious what they use to get the maximum grip per wheel.

My Fabia used to do 0-60mph in about the same time as a stock Focus RS and that would slip in first and second even with grippy track tyres on a prepared strip.

385bhp can't be put down directly, it has to be controlled in some way. It's nearly 200bhp per front tyre.

I know they have the revo knuckle, but it either needs a slick map or some electronics.

Can't believe it relies on typical hot hatch traction control.

There is no way you can full launch them off the line, with it bitting and going. I'm curious what they use to get the maximum grip per wheel.

My Fabia used to do 0-60mph in about the same time as a stock Focus RS and that would slip in first and second even with grippy track tyres on a prepared strip.

Yes your right, it's a given it'll have electronics. But they aren't bad for what they are. Of course it'll slip in first and second if driven wrong, any car will. But they are more than manageable to launch well.

What I meant was, does let the wheels spin and then control them, how? Or when Mountune stick in nearly 400bhp do they map it in such a way as to limit the problem, such as different maps per gear? (which can be done on my non-Skoda)

As my project is similar power (accepted less weight though) I have an interest in systems to maximise traction.

What I meant was, does let the wheels spin and then control them, how? Or when Mountune stick in nearly 400bhp do they map it in such a way as to limit the problem, such as different maps per gear? (which can be done on my non-Skoda)

As my project is similar power (accepted less weight though) I have an interest in systems to maximise traction.

Haven't a clue, I'm sure they limit power and torq in lower gears? Stock maps from some manufacturers do this so I'm sure they would. Possiby phone them and ask?

I love the look of the new ST estate. It would make a good de-badged stealth mobile.

How much money do they lose in the first 2 years?

What I meant was, does let the wheels spin and then control them, how? Or when Mountune stick in nearly 400bhp do they map it in such a way as to limit the problem, such as different maps per gear? (which can be done on my non-Skoda)

As my project is similar power (accepted less weight though) I have an interest in systems to maximise traction.

The mk2 rs and st both have torque limiters built in the the ecu somewhere for first and second gear (the rs may have it in third as well) because the engines have so much torque they could quite easily chew up a set of drive shafts if launched off the line with some zest.

There are quite a few stories of owners launching st's at santa pod and the drive shafts snapping. I'm not sure it the rs has the same problem off the line because it has a different design of drive shaft but it does limit the power in the first few gears.

(This is talking about the st so i assume the rs is the same) To try and stop people doing this ford put a lower rev limiter on the engine in first gear (4k) but it was only activated if the clutch was in and the car in first. If the car is in neutral you can rev it to the redline.

I havent explained that very well but basicly if you launch an st off the line you can only rev it to 4k rpm but once you have started moving the 4k rpm limit is removed but the torque limiter is still active.

Hope this makes sense. If not feel free to ask any questions.

/\ yes thats called launch control is it not?

Put it in first full throttle (car will hold i think 3.5k rpm)

Then lift clutch and gun it! Good for 1/4mile runs

Some pics of my new ST. Sorry for darkness.....but you get the idea.

/\ could you not have rotated the pictures, hurts my neck

I want picks of the RS :(

Saw a blue new ST the other day. Never been a big Ford fan, however, it did look good.

Looks even better in the colour posted above!