2016 Ford Focus RS

[SVT666]

2016 Ford Focus RS unveiling is tomorrow. Rumour is 350 hp.

[SJ_GTI]

2016 Ford Focus RS unveiling is tomorrow. Rumour is 350 hp.

Is it supposed to be a concept or any actual car they will sell 9in the US)?

Just curious, FWIW, I don't see myself buying another hot hatch in the future. 

[12,000 RPM]

No AWD no care. Actually, if AWD still no care, I have no use/desire for AWD.

Then again I guess Nissan's new GT-R has breathed new life into what is possible with FWD.

[SVT666]

No AWD no care. Actually, if AWD still no care, I have no use/desire for AWD.

Then again I guess Nissan's new GT-R has breathed new life into what is possible with FWD.

If you don't care, why are you posting?

[SVT666]

Is it supposed to be a concept or any actual car they will sell 9in the US)?

Just curious, FWIW, I don't see myself buying another hot hatch in the future. 

They will be unveiling the production model.

[FoMoJo]

They will be unveiling the production model.

Where's the unveiling?

[MrH]

Awesome.  I'm actually really excited for this car.  In terms of AWD enthusiast cars, the pickings are pretty slim right now.  We've got the STI, S3, and Golf R.  That's pretty much it.  Glad to see Ford is joining in.

[CALL_911]

Awesome.  I'm actually really excited for this car.  In terms of AWD enthusiast cars, the pickings are pretty slim right now.  We've got the STI, S3, and Golf R.  That's pretty much it.  Glad to see Ford is joining in.

S4, 335xi, M235xi, IS350 F AWD

[MrH]

S4, 335xi, M235xi, IS350 F AWD

First two are pushing $60k. M235xi is auto only. I wouldn't call the IS350 awd an enthusiast car.

[12,000 RPM]

First two are pushing $60k. M235xi is auto only. I wouldn't call the IS350 awd an enthusiast car.

There have never been a ton of AWD performance cars available at the same time. For the last decade it's been EVO, STI, Mazdaspeed 6 (if that even counts). Decade before that it was the Eclipse and 3000GT (and the 3000GT cost like $100K in today's dollars). 80s were... different.

If you don't care, why are you posting?

Car doesn't matter to me personally... i.e. I would never buy it, but I am excited to see Ford throw its hat in this ring.

[r0tor]

Images leaked look good.  Torque vectoring AWD sounds better.

... Wonder if wifey would notice if I traded her Focus in on one...

[SJ_GTI]

First two are pushing $60k. M235xi is auto only. I wouldn't call the IS350 awd an enthusiast car.

S4 is no where near 60k unless you get practically every option.

I paid 50k for mine, and it was the higher end version with Nav and 19" wheels. I think MSRP was low 50's. STarting MSRP for a base S4 (which still has a ton of options, FWIW) is $48,400.

[Rich]

"Torque vectoring" using the brakes 

[r0tor]

"Torque vectoring" using the brakes 

Ummm no, torque vectoring using electronically controlled clutch packs on each side of the rear axle

[Cookie Monster]

Man the RS looks ugly. I guess it's not as bad as the normal Focus but still, no thanks.

[Rich]

Ummm no, torque vectoring using electronically controlled clutch packs on each side of the rear axle

Wat

Power is transmitted to the tarmac through a new performance-focused all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring that can send as much as 70 percent of available twist to the rear wheels (and as much as 100 percent between them). The system works in tandem with the brake-based torque vectoring system and stability control, and will even divert torque to the outside rear wheel under cornering to keep it flat and under control while reducing understeer.

Ahhh.....

It has. You can almost look at it as like an active limited slip, you're actively working the clutches and so obviously doing the typical varying between front and rear torque splits, up to 70 percent to the rear. But at the rear, 100 percent is available to go to the outside wheel, that's what's different. We're still using brake torque vectoring at the front, which is great for helping turn-in. But for coming out of a corner and laying power down you don't want to lose anything. So we're able to electronically control the clutches and infinitely vary the torque, make sure it's all being delivered.

So the front axle will still roast the pads.

[r0tor]

Should be great on turn in and exceptional on corner exit... I like

Manual only... Shall have to make the wife learn what a clutch pedal does...

[SVT666]

Following a leak earlier today, Ford has fully revealed the long-awaited 2016 Focus RS ahead of its public debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

The Volkswagen Golf R-fighting RS looks considerably more aggressive than the run-of-the-mill Focus hatchback thanks to a new front bumper that incorporates a large air dam, a splitter and a bigger radiator grille, side skirts, a sizable roof-mounted spoiler and an air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. Two large round exhaust tips and multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped by Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires round out the aesthetic upgrades.

Inside, the RS gets a flat-bottomed leather-upholstered steering wheel, alloy pedals, Recaro bucket seats for the front passengers and three extra gauges grouped in a driver-oriented cluster that is located on top of a dashboard. The RS can be ordered with the latest generation of Ford's touch screen-based SYNC infotainment system.

Power for the Focus RS comes from an evolution of the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is found under the hood of the new Mustang. Ford promises that the turbo four has been tuned to produce well over 315 horsepower, though the final output is being kept under wraps for the time being. The hot hatch should be able to reach 60 mph from a stop in about 4.5 seconds.

The EcoBoost mill is linked to a six-speed manual transmission, and the third-gen RS comes standard with a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system for the first time in the nameplate's history. The all-wheel drive system can send up to 70 percent of the engine's torque to the rear axle and up to 100 percent of the available torque to each rear wheel.

A lowered and stiffened sport suspension with two-mode shock absorbers and upgraded brakes on all four corners help the driver make the most of the EcoBoost's power both on and off the track.

The 2016 Ford Focus RS is expected to go on sale across the nation before the end of the year. Pricing information and full specifications will be announced in the weeks leading up to its on-sale date.

[SVT666]

Aside from the massive spoiler, I really like it.  The spoiler is too boy racer for my tastes.

[Cookie Monster]

OK, the more I look at it the more I'm starting to like it. Until Subaru gets their shit together and make a hatch version of the STI, this is the one to get IMO.

The Golf R looks pretty lame compared to this. I can't wait to see what Mazda has in store with the Mazdaspeed 3 now.

[SJ_GTI]

Aside from the massive spoiler, I really like it.  The spoiler is too boy racer for my tastes.

Same for me.

Overall a good car though. Will be curious to see how this does on the market.

[SVT666]

This would be cool to get if there was a smaller spoiler option. 

[MrH]

I like it a lot.  I think I prefer it over the Golf R.

I'm a little unsure about the front plastic piece on the bumper.  It's very BRZ-esque, but even bigger.  Looks like a weird mustache.

[r0tor]

I can't wait to see what Mazda has in store with the Mazdaspeed 3 now.

We all know the answer is no more power then stock and a bodykit

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I like the spoiler, overall the car is giving me a very good vibe from "back in the day".

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Obligatory WRC Porn

[AutobahnSHO]

The hot hatch should be able to reach 60 mph from a stop in about 4.5 seconds.

     Whut?!?!?!   That's absolutely crazy awesome!

Until Subaru gets their shit together and make a hatch version of the STI, this is the one to get IMO.

(I hate to, but must=)

+1

[r0tor]

Reminds me of the "other" Focus in my garage

[Xer0]

Too bad it still has the current Focus' interior which I can't stand. 

I wonder how the new Civic Type R will compare with it's new, give or take 300hp turbo 4. 

The Golf R looks way too boring in comparison.

[Cookie Monster]

Anyone know if this is a more rear biased AWD system? How does it function under normal driving?