Car review: New Ford Focus RS
With a 257 kW 2,3-litre turbo-charged Ecoboost engine (0-100 km/h in 4,7 seconds) and a maximum speed of 266 km/h, it’s no wonder the Ford Focus RS is said to be one of the fastest Fords to ever be sold to the public.
Ford claims this high-performance, all-wheel drive hot hatch to be the ultimate fun-to-drive experience, and I can’t say that I don’t agree! Speaking of which, this is the first Focus RS with all-wheel-drive, offering four different drive modes, (including a very exciting Ken Block developed drift-mode), launch control, adjustable steering settings and an engine that’s been specifically designed to deliver 10% more power with a maximum output of 257 kW, this little machine is anything but average!
When parked, it may look like a normal everyday car, but hop inside and start it up and you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.
“The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets new benchmarks for driving exhilaration on the road and track,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”
Interior
If you’ve ever driven a Focus before, you’ll recognise most of its interior features, with Ford’s touchscreen infotainment system with Ford SYNC2, providing access to audio, climate control and mobile phones via voice control and via an 8-inch colour touchscreen.
Its signature blue stitching, RS badging and sculpted RS racing seats gives the inside of this hot-hatch something slightly different to what you’d get from the standard Focus.
It’s also surprisingly spacious and well lit, even when sitting on the back seat. In fact even the boot space is ample (not that that would really matter to any RS fan). But let’s move on to some of this RS’s more talked about features…
Drift Mode and more
With four drive modes to suit different driving conditions, you can make the most of the car’s performance. Drive mode is quieter and gentle and you won’t find yourself being thrown around too much. In sport mode, suspension gets slightly harder as it tunes into the environment around you while offering maximum response. Moving onto Sport Mode, you’re given a more precise response as you feel the axles working a bit harder while torque breaks traction.
On the track you’ll find that Track Mode gives the car an amazingly accurate response to help you drive more precisely.
And finally, the much talked-about Drift Mode. Technology in this car makes drifting so easy, even for someone who’s never done it before (such as myself)! The very exciting Ken Block developed Drift Mode is probably one of the most exciting features of this car and allows for all-wheel-drive power slides, which means you can expect a LOT of power to be sent to each individual wheel according to your driving style.
On the outside
Its exterior is bold and features a powerful new front-end appearance with striking upper trapezoidal grille above the deep front splitter.
The RS is available in five different colours (Nitrous Blue, Stealth Grey, Shadow Black, Magnetic and Frozen White) but the Nitrous Blue is exclusive to the RS.
“The vehicle’s exterior design has also been developed to support the driving dynamics. Careful aerodynamic optimisation of the front splitter, rear spoiler and under-body features eliminates lift forces, and the final design delivers a balanced performance with zero lift front and rear for optimum high-speed handling and stability.”
Performance and Power
Engine: a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine
Previously the RS was a front-wheel drive, but with 257 kW/470 N.m (on overboost) it’s pretty obvious why it needed to be an all-wheel drive this time.
Power: Maximum torque of 440 N.m is delivered between 2 000 and 4 500 r/min. 470 N.m is available for up to 15 seconds on transient overboost during hard acceleration.
Speed: As previously mentioned, Ford claims the new RS to be the fastest Ford ever sold to the public, claiming 0-100 km/h in 4,7 seconds and a maximum speed of 266 km/h.
Six-speed manual transmission.
It goes without saying that not only will this power car compete with competitors like the Honda Civic Type-R and Audi RS3, it’s in a notable position to live up to expectations and probably eat up some Mustang sales.
Pricing
R699 900
A look at the Skid Pad with Women on Wheels
Some drifting from Women on Wheels. What a fun day at the #Fordperformance launch. Thanks @FordSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/ihfh49e7G9
— Women On Wheels (@WomenWheels) July 1, 2016