WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

Jamie says: “Wow! What a difference! Prior to having the ATB fitted I was told the upgrade makes a huge difference to how the Mk3 Focus drives, and they weren’t lying. I’ve driven cars with a Quaife ATB fitted before, but there’s nothing quite like a back-to-back comparison in your own car to really highlight the improvements.

For starters, even at everyday speeds it makes the car feel more alive. Simple tasks that never really crossed your mind before, like changing lanes at motorway speeds, now feel so much more energetic. The front end just pulls you wherever you point the steering wheel with a real sense of urgency. In comparison, it actually makes the same situations in the OE car feel a bit numb.

And that’s just in a straight line, at sensible speeds. Start increasing the pace and throw it into a corner or two and the ATB-equipped RS behaves totally differently to the OE car. I know my car has got other suspension and handling upgrades already installed, but they have really come alive since fitting the ATB. The front end hugs the apex and allows you to get on the power much sooner than previously. The ATB allows you hold an even tighter line, at faster speeds, and while applying more throttle – if you’re accustom to the original setup it actually comes as quite a shock just how much more aggressive you can be.

But thanks to the RS’s AWD system, it never feels like the car is able to get away from you. If you do push a little too hard, the rear drive comes in to play and gives you that ‘hero’ moment while it allows you to catch the drift. The standard car also does this, but invariably because the ATB has allowed you to carry greater speed before the rear drive needs to kick in, you’re doing all the heroics at an even faster pace, making you look like even more of a superstar driver!

One criticism people have labelled at the ATB-equipped RS is that it’s less fun to drive, because the increased mechanical grip at the front negates the need for power to be sent to the rear. I understand the theory behind this, but have to say I don’t think it’s true. In my experience the ATB has actually enhanced the ‘ fun’ factor of the RS. By holding a tighter line through the corners, and front end just gripping no matter how violent you are with the steering angles, I’ve actually found it easier to provoke the rear end to step out of line since having the ATB fitted. Of course, when you drive sensibly it behaves as you’d expect too.

It takes a bit of getting used to at first, but I can honestly say that fitting the ATB has to be one of the best upgrades you can make to the Mk3 Focus RS. I don’t know why it wasn’t fitted at the factory (*cough* Price!) but I urge any RS owner to consider one, regardless of any other modifications or not. It really is that good.”