Ford’s upcoming Focus RS has us salivating. The all-wheel-drive turbocharged four-banger is the first time in recent memory that an American nameplate has taken aim at Subaru’s grasp on the rally rocket arena, and their aim looks dead-on perfect. With well over 315 horsepower expected to be on tap, an honest manual transmission and the right amount of raspy and popping coming out of the exhaust, the owners of Subarus and Mitsubishi EVOs should be taking some serious notice right about now. This footage is from Ford themselves, and shows the Focus RS undergoing final shakedown testing at the Lommel Proving Grounds in Belgium. This is just testing, yet you can see the car sliding, tail out, oversteering with the boost on. Hurry up already and get the car into test pools…we want a shot behind the wheel even more now!
The Focus is cool but…the ” bendy” box truck is even better. Now that would be a great option on fwd vans.
The problems I see with the Ford are A) Pricing: it’s quite a bit more expensive than it’s competitors. B) Unfamiliarity: At least in the US, the RS badging is pretty unknown. The STi and Evo are established competitiors. C) Ford’s track record: Seems like Ford’s past attempts to bring over European cars haven’t always gone the best.
I hope the best for Ford though. I’d like to see this car succeed and maybe have Ford bring over some more of the good stuff from Europe.
… add to that … the Subaru’s will be just as fast if not faster … a hell of a lot more reliable [ the RS’s in Europe and the UK’s reliability record is less than impressive ] … a whole lot safer
..AND …. Subaru’s is kicking everybody’s @$& including with their marketing … to the point of Subaru having the best problem any auto maker could wish for . That being they can’t make the damn things fast enough to meet demand
Subaru’s marketing being reminiscent of Honda’s campaigns back in the 60’s . Focusing on nice people … responsible people … environmentally concerned people … families … pets … everything nice
Rather than the [ not so ] Big Three’s constant focus on how much of a macho jackwagon owning one of their pos will turn you into
So my bet ?
Subaru takes down Ford in three rounds or less .. on a KO !
Where do I get more info on the Bendy Van?? :):) (stop Vid @ ~ 0:32)
I have certainly never seen this variant of the Transit here in Western Canada, I’m guessing it’s EU only? Does it come this way, or is it a conversion by an Outfitter?
A) – Pricing isn’t released yet
B) Among enthusiasts? Anyone who knows anything knows about the RS and if they don’t they will.
C) The ST twins would like to have a word with you.
A) The Focus ST, fully kitted out, costs $30,000 even. I doubt an RS will be under $38,000 (Most estimates place it at $40,000). An STi comes in at $35,00.
B) I know plenty of car people who have never heard of the RS badge. IT’s not as instantly familiar in the US as WRX
C)Yes, the ST twins. But about the Merkur XR4Ti or the SVT Contour (A Mondeo under the skin). I’m sure there’s a few I’m forgetting.
Just saying, there are a few hurdles it has to pass
I might add after negotiating a bit …. a very nicely equipped STi for $35k … or less if you’re really savvy . Some of the estimates I’ve seeing for an equal nicely equipped RS being closer to $45k … which is … errr … stomping right on the doorstep of a well bought Mercedes AMG GLA-45 . And seriously … for the same amount of money … what would you chose ? Much as I’m no fan of the GLA’s [ any of them … the When is a Mercedes not a Mercedes Mercedes Benz ] I know damn full well which I’d chose 😉
What Nick D said and everything I posted above as well . My going so far as to say Ford’s got a freaking 30 ft high brick wall with razor wire on top .. dogs and an electric fence on the other side and guard towers manned by ex special forces snipers to overcome .
Fact is … Subaru’s got it locked down .. now sales going way beyond the snow belt .. even VW- Audi cannot go head to head with them .. and you really think Ford … Ford ? … will be able to ?
And errr … even in the EU/UK press … whens the last time Ford accomplished much of anything with their wanna be ST’s and RS’s ? Answer ? A damn long time ago . Ford and their Focus hasn’t been the flavor of the month for almost a decade despite all their pathetic hype . Their Fiesta WRC car has been an abject failure … and they’re no where to be seen in the ERC or any other racing either .
Hey, Ford, can you bring us the Bendy Van while we are at it? That’d be pretty useful!