You didn't mention BMW who also use sound enhancement.Think it was mentioned by Harris in one of his comparison tests ,may have been the M235i

I know, but et al includes anyone using one, quite why BMW feel the need to....

 

I'm not so sure I agree.

It's not so much that Ford is behind, rather VAG is a bit ahead.

There are still no Honda Type R on roads.

 

They are already the market leader in the fun smaller Hot Hatch market with the Fiesta and we don't know yet how the Focus RS is going to handle.

With it's new rear drive idea it could trump the Haldex 5 VAG are using.

 

We just don't know.

 

Also I don't think Ford are desperate to be in front, hence they have already said they won't get into playing the ring time game.

What they need to do is make sure this car earns them money.

Hence the tamer styling over the last RS so they can sell it worldwide.

Exactly, because none of its predecessors did, but there is the halo effect on the rest of the range. VAG have been much more successful at making profitable lower volume model variants.

I'm not so sure I agree.

It's not so much that Ford is behind, rather VAG is a bit ahead.

There are still no Honda Type R on roads.

 

They are already the market leader in the fun smaller Hot Hatch market with the Fiesta and we don't know yet how the Focus RS is going to handle.

With it's new rear drive idea it could trump the Haldex 5 VAG are using.

 

We just don't know.

 

Also I don't think Ford are desperate to be in front, hence they have already said they won't get into playing the ring time game.

What they need to do is make sure this car earns them money.

Hence the tamer styling over the last RS so they can sell it worldwide.

Guess it took Ford 3+ years to catch up and surpass the VAG range of small hot hatches(vRS,Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI). I wonder if VAG had got on top of the Engine issues and applied handling upgrades earlier, whether that would have created a more competitive playing field against the Fiesta ST.

Edited 6 February, 201511 yr by vrskeith

There a pic on Facebook today by RS Direct of a dark grey colour......looks fab to me. Has anyone else seen it, and is that the stealth grey option? Reminds me of the Focus St170 grey......?

https://www.facebook.com/focusRSuk/photos/a.387151191311277.113223.166991939993871/1070684589624597/?type=1&theater

I couldn't go white again, the blue would just remind me of the terrible mistake I made on that new Subaru Sti last year, black would be nice but hard to maintain where I live, so that grey would be the one for me I think......?

Edited 6 February, 201511 yr by thehulkster699

It's unfortunate but Ford appear to be behind the 8 ball and by the time their R&D get there, others have moved on up. Continue to be 2 years adrift.

They need to catch up and get Ahead in their offerings and become the market leader.

 

ford have a pretty loyal following, it'll sell however it compares to it's peers.

I agree. Ford and Honda have a pretty dedicated large group of respective fanbois. Your typical Golf / Audi driver doesn't really fit into "fanboi". Seat arguably has a bit of it, which is how VAG market the brand.

Insurance companies will very likely be wanting new Focus RS they are prepared to cover in an affordable way fitted with trackers,

& Ford are likely to have a good system they have fitted and can activate.

 

I remember a story where they had them on Police Cars in America so that Officers could be monitored speeding.

That system if in the UK really will put a downer on Drivers of Performance and just everyday cars if it comes in 

if the UK stays as part of the EU.

Get involved in an incident and the vehicles mileage and usage might all be there to be downloaded.

 

Big Brother is already here.

http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-11642670

 

http://wired.com/2014/11/ford-police-tracking

Edited 6 February, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

I agree. Ford and Honda have a pretty dedicated large group of respective fanbois. Your typical Golf / Audi driver doesn't really fit into "fanboi". Seat arguably has a bit of it, which is how VAG market the brand.

 

given the whole dub...scene...thing I'm not sure I'd agree

given the whole dub...scene...thing I'm not sure I'd agree

True, but I was thinking of new. A golf gti was always an upmarket hot hatch.

the only thing this time I cant see the R or S3 moving on much in next 3 years so although they are behind they still enter where they will compete. plus the 4wd has a potential to put way ahead of the VAG pair in handling

Another 100 + bhp,(420bhp) with other handling and braking enhancements during the next 12-18 months (R400) won't be bad, provided VW can keep a base price (real) at say £37.5 k

 

However ,I suspect it will be a special 3 dr edition with limited volume. Hence price may be at the £39.9k level, just undercutting the RS3, with better base spec and not all the add extras   like the typical Audi. 

VW may just add a few bhp + on the  R/ S3, before the Ford RS Focus arrives next year- Simples!

Edited 7 February, 201511 yr by vrskeith

With VW and a 'Golf R-400' they could just do like they did with the oft mentioned by VW or insiders new Polo R (WRC) & they could drop it, that is after lots of space on Internet, Social Media & motoring media.

 

IMO it is time really that Skoda got on and launched a Performance Model with Part Time All Wheel Drive and Handling, but not Superb sized. 

That is if the Motorsport Heritage & Current Motor Sport stuff they like to push means anything in 2015 and on.

Edited 7 February, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

True, but I was thinking of new. A golf gti was always an upmarket hot hatch.

 

yeah, that's true, but all the apparently crazy deals they seem to be offering might be eroding that :-/

Focus is now quoted by Ford as having 'well in excess' of 350bhp. First models appearing end of the year!

Focus is now quoted by Ford as having 'well in excess' of 350bhp. First models appearing end of the year!

Where is that? Post the actual comment please.

I wondered where Ford were saying that, 

Magazines are still saying it will be 'In excess of 316bhp',   they could just quote directly what Ford are saying, or is it an 'Insider'.

 

Anyway that is when it is launched and available, so time will tell.

Deposit Placed!!!!!

I got a bit carried away when I was at Ford this afternoon and ended up putting down a small deposit!

I confirmed with Ford UK that dealers were able to take a deposit and that it's refundable if it turns out to not be what I want. I really can't wait for more info and seeing one in the flesh, hopefully they will have a couple down at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year.

Good man! I may well join you!

How much of a deposit do they require? Any idea to how much he they will cost and standard kit?

How much of a deposit do they require? Any idea to how much he they will cost and standard kit?

Figures of £35k being banded about at the moment. Then spec on top of that. There's no specs or anything released

At a guess there'll be:

Base

Lux 1

Lux 2

Like the mk2 rs, although possible RS, RS2 &RS3

Figures of £35k being banded about at the moment. Then spec on top of that. There's no specs or anything released

At a guess there'll be:

Base

Lux 1

Lux 2

Like the mk2 rs, although possible RS, RS2 &RS3

I'd be flabbergasted if the starting price was more than £30k.

I'll be ordering one. 100% of the tourqe goes to each wheel apparently. It's all about the RS badge. I cannot wait for it

VW may just add a few bhp + on the R/ S3, before the Ford RS Focus arrives next year- Simples!

Well, between one generation of the RS3 and the next four years later they've only managed to add 25bhp to that which is an increase of around 7% or so.

If they did the same to the R/S3 it's not going to be as high as the RS.

I am also very interested in Ford's idea of supplying drive to any rear wheel.

Could be better than the Haldex system controlled by using the brakes VAG keep using.

Sending power where you want it sounds preferable to using brakes to stop it going where you don't want.

Well, between one generation of the RS3 and the next four years later they've only managed to add 25bhp to that which is an increase of around 7% or so.

If they did the same to the R/S3 it's not going to be as high as the RS.

I am also very interested in Ford's idea of supplying drive to any rear wheel.

Could be better than the Haldex system controlled by using the brakes VAG keep using.

Sending power where you want it sounds preferable to using brakes to stop it going where you don't want.

Competition is a great incentive all round for VW. Continuous improvements, in Power output and handling tweaks.

12 >18 months R&D can make a step change.

Wait and see I guess.

Was looking on eBay at the escort cosworths,£££££££££££££££££££

You lucky ******s. Wish I had the money and/or position in life to get one.

Looking forward to seeing the next Focus RS. Definitely have a soft spot for fast fords. Rear biased 4WD also sounds tasty!