FOCUS RS GOES AWD
Ford gives its hot hatch 320hp and a chassis to match
Ford seems serious with fast cars these days ...
That’s right. Seen here for the first time is the third-generation Focus RS which is one of the 12 fast Fords the brand is planning to roll out by 2020. Three other models that already debut this year include the GT supercar, Shelby GT350R lightweight Mustang and F150 Raptor pickup.
The latest RS uses the same 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder petrol-turbo engine as the baseline Mustang, although the turbocharger, intercooler and some other components have been modified to take power in “excess of 320hp”.
That makes the RS more powerful than the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda’s pending Civic Type-R, but less so than the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, both coming with over 350hp.
Hope it won’t suffer from the dreaded torque steer ...
Ford seems to have learned some lessons with the two preceding models which had their power sent only to the front wheels, thus suffering from what you have just mentioned (not being able to contain all the power to the tarmac effectively).
For the first time the RS comes with allwheel drive, which can deliver as much as 70% of driving force to the rear axle. Plus, there’s torque-vectoring control on the rear axle that send 100% of drive to either wheel depending on conditions. With such a setup, Ford says the RS can be driven at the limits in a more assuring and safe manner.
Tyre traction is courtesy of Pilot Sport Cup 2 from Michelin.
Is there a dual-clutch automatic gearbox?
Nope. The RS comes with a traditional sixspeed manual gearbox — the same strategy Honda is set to adopt with the Civic Type-R when it is officially revealed in final production form next month.
This leaves the RS3, A45 AMG and Golf R as the only super-hot hatchbacks to come exclusively with just a dual-clutch automatic (and AWD hardware).
Ford hasn’t released any performance figures yet for the RS. However, they are keen to point out that the RS will be a pure driver’s car, although there’s autonomous braking in the RS at speeds of less than 50kph.
How contradictory! Will it sell in Thailand?
Put it like this. Remember the Mustang that wooed Thais at the Motor Expo late last year? It reportedly won’t be sold in the country on an official basis, despite the availability of a strong heritage, right-hand drive format and automatic transmission option.
So what chance could be left with the RS, even if it has the potential to undercut the A45 AMG in price which Mercedes is selling at just under 6 million baht?
Nil, we’d say.