KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

It should be RWD just like the good old RS days

Dream Weaver

Are you on the list for buying one, i.e. waiting list and do you have to pay anything up front? I may do the same.

stilover

No, there is no "official" waiting list as yet.

Dealer expects it to be made in limited numbers (like the first FRS) and as so, each dealer will be allowed a certain amount of cars. This dealer got 4 FRS's last time.
So, as soon as the spec is available and the dealers can order them, my name is on the dealer list so I will be able to get one.

Just have a chat with your local dealer. As soon as the spec is announced you'll have to be quick to order (if limited numbers) so if your name is already down .........

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

No............it won't

Alcazar

billythekid

Full page on this in Evo this month. Sorry to say but from the spy shot photo they have published its 2WD. The kit its running to log the front wheel data is a 2WD setup. I guess they could have a 4WD one in the back just to throw us all off but I doubt it at this stage in the game with 12 months to go. Shame.

stilover

Yeah I read that yesterday.

Slightly worried now. Twin Turbo engine turning the front wheels only. Taking Torque steer to all new levels. On smooth A-B roads it will fly. Get it on a bumpy camber ridden back road and it'll be a nightmare.

Ford are going to shoot themselves in the foot if it's FWD. Also we can kiss goodbye to any more RS cars. Ford will state there is no market for RS Fords (as sales won't be as good as they hope).

Give it 4WD and it'll fly out of the showrooms.

Just hope someone at Ford has the sense to read some of the car Forums, as every Forum are pleading for 4WD.

Flatcapdriver

The problem is that Ford doesn't have a 4WD system that it can use apart from Volvo's which isn't full time, so therefore I can't see this being an effective car given its FWD no matter what they do to limit torque in the lower gears to help prevent torque steer.

Another own goal by the looks of it.

billythekid

IMHO there are plenty of UK companies that can make them a brilliant transmission and drive line system, but I guess they have to use off the shelf parts for as much of the car as they can.

I am also guessing that the twin turbo bit is to limit the lag to prevent the problems with FWD. Small LPT and larger HPT I bet. The map will probably limit torque as you say, probably till 3rd gear with active diff.

They made this mistake with the RS Focus, yes on a track its brilliant, but 90% of people wont even get near a track with one.

Brendan Hughes

Dumb question - what do they do in WRC, and why can't that be put on the road? Is it that they're allowed to use Volvo's?

Playsatan

iTrader: (2)

^^^^^ £250k a whip for a wrc setup might dent their sales figures

Moley

iTrader: (9)

A friend of mine has just put an order in for one, and has been assured it will definately be 4wd.

Guess we'll have to wait and see. Even with a LSD i can't see why they'd stick to fwd.

EddScott

Well to completely contradict you, I know someone who works for Ford and he signs off homologation of new car production.

Its not 4WD.

If they made it 4WD it would have been priced way out of its class and more expensive than an EVO X.

stilover

By who? Not a dealer as they know nothing.

Ford have lots of 4WD systems within the group.

Volvo's system
Jaguars system
Landrover systems
Ford systems (as use on there offroaders)

Even if the used Volvo's system (FWD till slip) then that would be better than just FWD. Audi/VW have this type of system (Haldex) on the S3/R32 and nobody says there systems are terrible.

Yes, I'd prefer the Focus to have a propper 4WD system, but I'll take Haldex over FWD anyday.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Not sure who told him, didn't ask TBH

Just can't understand why it'd be fwd if the 280bhp quoted is correct.

Why would it need to be the same price as an Evo though? If Subaru can do the WRX for £20k and the STI for £25k why would it need to be over £30k.
As Stilover stated they already have the 4wd technology.

stilover

Have you seen the price of the new Evo X? Up to £38,000

Ford could easily charge £30,000 for a 4WD Focus RS. There are many diehard Fast Ford RS fans out there that would happily pay that. I'm one of them. I'd even pay more than that.

Remember that the RS badge will make sure that residuals will stay high.

In 3 years time a new Impreza STI will be worth less than half price
In 3 years time a new Evo X will be worth half price.
In 3 years time a 4WD Focus RS will have hardly lost much money. Even less if it's made in limited numbers.

Just look at the prices of mint Escort Cosworths.

CristianH

How many times before have we heard some breaking news in <insert mag name here> about a new '4WD Focus'...how many times has this actually turned out to be true.....0

I would dearly love to see a 4WD focus but the bean counters at Ford dictate this wont happen i'm afraid . They don't need to do a 4wd Focus to homologate anything, whereas they had to with the sierra and escorts.

I will believe it when I see a FORD press release stating this.

Sorry for being pessimistic...i hope im wrong.

EddScott

If they charged £30K for the Focus only a few would buy it and as the last RS they'd loose money which Ford can't afford to do.

In the past it was possible to build bespoke cars (Escort Cosworth, Nissan GTIR) but in todays economic climate its just not possible.

They would only build a few RS Focus, they would be very expensive and very few (or not enough) would buy it to make it viable. If only 1000 are sold the price would be closer to £40K with the 4WD as it would be a bespoke build.

Just not going to happen. Ford can't afford it.