[mikethemike]

The new Focus RS is due to be released in the coming months and it's a car that a lot of people have been waiting for. Ford seems to be shooting for the big leagues with this latest model, claiming 345bhp, four wheel drive and prices starting under £30k! What are peoples thoughts on styling, performance etc. Obviously no one can judge it on how it drives just yet, but I personally think it looks great and it seems that Ford are serious about it being a competitor to the M135i, S3, RS3, Golf R and Type R but I'm not I'd buy one over any of those. Some pics:

 

[Varnham86]

I like it think it looks great and imagine it will go well, we have a little 1.0ltr eco boost 123ps fiesta that goes pretty good for a small engine.

But like you I think I would rather bmw or VW, at the end of the day it is still a ford but I can't talk much because I currently have a Vauxhall Astra!

 

[JohnKimble]

Don't really understand the 'being a Ford' thing given their track record of fab performance cars. They've got a real pedigree as far as I'm concerned

It's a right bargain (anyone seen the price of a GTI these days?) and no doubt will be better to drive than the Audi/VW. Other thing is it makes its big rival the Type R look a bit silly from a value perspective!

Out of that list the only car I'd pick over it is the M135i, for personal preference more than anything else really. I know the R can be had at bargain prices but I have a real vendetta against VW and I swore off ever owning another one

 

[0l0dom0l0]

Don't really understand the 'being a Ford' thing given their track record of fab performance cars. They've got a real pedigree as far as I'm concerned

It's a right bargain (anyone seen the price of a GTI these days?) and no doubt will be better to drive than the Audi/VW. Other thing is it makes its big rival the Type R look a bit silly from a value perspective!

Out of that list the only car I'd pick over it is the M135i, for personal preference more than anything else really. I know the R can be had at bargain prices but I have a real vendetta against VW and I swore off ever owning another one

I worked at Ford while they unveiled this and I have to say it does look like a fantastic car. I've seen one in the flesh and it's gorgeous. Given what the previous generation RS values have done as well it seems like a pretty sound investment.

I was almost thinking of ordering one, until I heard what it sounds like... Sounds like a wet fart. Really disappointed with the sound of it. Totally ruins the car.

Compared to:

 

[rjwojcik]

Wet fart

I'll have to watch the videos tonight.

Always felt the Fords were for the working man (in a good way) and provide great VFM. I've had two Mk2 Escort RS2000 back 35 odd years ago when my mates were driving GTIs, BMWs but went off them when the went front wheel drive. My 135i reminds me of of the Escort, a little...

If only they did a DCT gearbox then I would be interested.

 

[marco_polo]

Should have stayed with a characterful 5 pot. :|

 

[jgalea324]

That sounds completely horrible. A Lambretta has a better sound.

Don't think it depends on whether it's a 4-pot or not, the 4C has a fantastic sound...

 

[rob180bhp]

The rear doors kill it for me and on not sure if there will be a 3 door version

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[Red5]

This picks up from where the Evo9 left off yes?

4pot fury, with hooligan looks and cheap interior? I feel the same way as I did about those things. I'd like a go in one, perhaps in the dark
If they mount the seat as high as they did last time, I'd not be able to drive it anyway

Personally, the rear doors don't ruin it for me. That accolade goes to the "Body kit" and I've always hated these latest Focus rear lights for some reason!

I bet I'll get good reviews and sell a few. The fanboys will go c-razy

 

[mikethemike]

Don't really understand the 'being a Ford' thing given their track record of fab performance cars. They've got a real pedigree as far as I'm concerned

It's a right bargain (anyone seen the price of a GTI these days?) and no doubt will be better to drive than the Audi/VW. Other thing is it makes its big rival the Type R look a bit silly from a value perspective!

Out of that list the only car I'd pick over it is the M135i, for personal preference more than anything else really. I know the R can be had at bargain prices but I have a real vendetta against VW and I swore off ever owning another one

It is a bargain, you're right. The GTI is quite expensive for what it is and if you look at the performance figures in comparison to this new 'breed' of hot hatch, it's being left behind a little bit too in the power stakes. 300bhp+ is becoming the norm for a performance hot hatch now.

I worked at Ford while they unveiled this and I have to say it does look like a fantastic car. I've seen one in the flesh and it's gorgeous. Given what the previous generation RS values have done as well it seems like a pretty sound investment.

I was almost thinking of ordering one, until I heard what it sounds like... Sounds like a wet fart. Really disappointed with the sound of it. Totally ruins the car.

Yes, I saw that video too and it doesn't sound great. But then that was a while ago and I'm not even sure if production had been signed off then. They were pretty late making changes even after they unveiled the car. This video is from November and seems to have a few more rumbles and burbles, although it is just stationary revving...

The rear doors kill it for me and on not sure if there will be a 3 door version

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They have said will not be making a 3 door version - this is the first time an RS has been a 5 door.

If they mount the seat as high as they did last time, I'd not be able to drive it anyway

On a side note, I recently drove an Astra VXR and that had a stupidly high seating position too, even in the lowest setting. I hadn't realised just how great a seating position my 1 series had, particularly in the many different ways you can adjust it and how low you can get it.

 

[JohnKimble]

Sounds similar to a lot of the hot hatches out there, daft crackling exhaust. Really annoys me tbh. Reason enough to pick the m135i for the big 6

 

[paulathome]

They were available for £28995 for the first month or so then the price went up to £29995.
Pretty well spec'd as standard, probably the same Recaro's as the ST, which are very nice. The 4WD comes from LandRover/RangeRover.
No discount or dealer offers, and over half the UK allocation already sold. Anyone ordering now will get a September-November delivery date.
0-60 in 4.7 seconds, no doubt Mountune will do an upgrade, which probably will see that time down to about 4 seconds, and be Ford approved so keeps the warranty.
I saw the blue one near Dunton in Essex and it looked good, my daughter works for Ford and says she saw one in the stealth grey and was impressed.
I'll be having a drive when she gets a demo in.

Paul

 

[rob123d]

I think it looks good and I have no doubt it will be amazing to drive. Currently got one on order and am selling my 135i to get it. I've seen it in the blue and black and looks good in both. I friend of mine has been on a test drive in one (Ford development test drive not dealer test drive) and he said it was absolutely amazing!
I ordered this time last year so should be getting one of the first deliveries. Cant wait although will be sad to see the 1er go.

 

[ChrisOllie]

I think they look great, definitely not as out there and chavvy as a Type R, I'd have one in black or grey
Really wish it still had 5 pot engine but can understand why it doesn't

On paper it sounds amazing, reviews will start to trickle out soon, I can see Autocar have a notice on their site saying 4pm today they will put their review up. While I take all review sites with a bag of salt, it will be interesting to start seeing comments coming out.
Always liked a Ford, nothing wrong with them - to say otherwise is a bit snobish, I mean all cars have poor trim choices. This M135 I have has one of the most rattle infested interiors I've had in a car. Best car I've ever had was my Focus TDCI Sport 53 plate, quite rare cars - even though the 'sport' bit was just aesthetic trim rather than mechanical differences. It literally never went wrong mechanically, was just an amazing wee car.

 

[Kerr]

Seen a LHD one in the flesh.

http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/bk864/media/Mobile Uploads/20160117_110540_zpsy0dgj4u2.jpg.html

http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/bk864/media/20160117_110557_zps1m6clnlh.jpg.html

It's very understated in black. If it wasn't for the RS on the bumper, or the blue brakes, most people wouldn't look twice. I like this one much better than the older one.

It seems they've really shifted away from the older RSs with the external appearance. They've not done the same with the interior though. It's brash and a bit tacky looking.

I'm not understanding what they've tried to do. It always appeared to me that Focus owners always liked the exterior of the old RSs, but universally nobody was the biggest fan of the interior. Now Ford have toned down the styling to suit more people, but not addressed inside.

I thought it was a bit odd.

 

[KPB1973]

I think Autocar accidentally published their review ahead of the embargo time of 16:00 today.

You can see it listed in google searches but clicks through to a page not found error...unless of course you use the cached version option below...

Looks to be really good - but i'll wait until a few more tests are published for a more considered verdict.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...rd-focus-rs-review+&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(please note the link is/was working at the time of me posting this).

 

[Kerr]

Without a doubt it'll be a good car to drive, but all the magazines are jumping in with 5 star reviews for anything shiny and new these days. Everything is the best ever and you must buy, until the next shiny thing.

I can't help but feel there's too much backhanders going on with all these ultra high praise reviews. It's happening with far too many other things in life too.

 

[ChrisOllie]

Without a doubt it'll be a good car to drive, but all the magazines are jumping in with 5 star reviews for anything shiny and new these days. Everything is the best ever and you must buy, until the next shiny thing.

I can't help but feel there's too much backhanders going on with all these ultra high praise reviews. It's happening with far too many other things in life too.

Yeah exactly - particularly with VAG products imo
Then a few months down the line a 5/5 car becomes a 3 or 4/5 mysteriously, or a previously un mentioned negative crops up

Have read the Autocar and TG initial thoughts and does sound great in fairness

 

[Kerr]

Without a doubt it'll be a good car to drive, but all the magazines are jumping in with 5 star reviews for anything shiny and new these days. Everything is the best ever and you must buy, until the next shiny thing.

I can't help but feel there's too much backhanders going on with all these ultra high praise reviews. It's happening with far too many other things in life too.

Yeah exactly - particularly with VAG products imo
Then a few months down the line a 5/5 car becomes a 3 or 4/5 mysteriously, or a previously un mentioned negative crops up

Have read the Autocar and TG initial thoughts and does sound great in fairness

The Golf R release was one of the best examples. The jounlalists were all invited to, I think it was Sweden from memory, to test the R.

All the magazines came back with 5 star reviews saying how amazing it was.

Most magazines failed to mention that the car was driven in snow on snow tyres. Strange omission that one. Obviously they knew their reviews wouldn't hold much weight if people knew the truth.

There's not a chance you can judge a car accurately in such conditions, yet they did.

 

[Japanred120d]

Don't really understand the 'being a Ford' thing given their track record of fab performance cars. They've got a real pedigree as far as I'm concerned

It's a right bargain (anyone seen the price of a GTI these days?) and no doubt will be better to drive than the Audi/VW. Other thing is it makes its big rival the Type R look a bit silly from a value perspective!

Out of that list the only car I'd pick over it is the M135i, for personal preference more than anything else really. I know the R can be had at bargain prices but I have a real vendetta against VW and I swore off ever owning another one

I worked at Ford while they unveiled this and I have to say it does look like a fantastic car. I've seen one in the flesh and it's gorgeous. Given what the previous generation RS values have done as well it seems like a pretty sound investment.

I was almost thinking of ordering one, until I heard what it sounds like... Sounds like a wet fart. Really disappointed with the sound of it. Totally ruins the car.

Compared to:

Anyone know if that mustang is standard or modified? If they sound like that straight out of the box I'd be tempted but heard reviews saying they need a sports exhaust.