Subaru Sti 7 Owner in Focus RS shocker.
13 December 2002, 08:26 AM
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Thought that would get some interest. 
I am currently the owner of a Subaru STi 7, after three other Impreza turbo's and string of RS Fords before that.
I was lucky enough to drive a Focus RS yesterday.
All I can say is WOW
You've all heard the technical jargon about them but Torque steer ?
What torque steer ?? RS Turbo's Torque steer Focus RS's don't.
It handles really well especially as its a front wheel drive.
I am still convinced Ford have deleloped the Focus Cosworth on the back of this car. If they sell all 4500 Rs's then thats 90 million don't know what the car would cost to make but it must have cost more than 90 mil to develop it, so that leave's them out of pocket. Hey presto after all 4500 sold they announce the Cosworth at say 25k ??
I'm really impressed Ford have done an excellent job. Its really got that RS feel about it (all RS owners will know what I mean).
Sounds really nice aswell (well maybe a bit quiet)
All I can say to owners who have waited patiently is enjoy.
I reckon it was worth the wait.
Jas
I am currently the owner of a Subaru STi 7, after three other Impreza turbo's and string of RS Fords before that.
I was lucky enough to drive a Focus RS yesterday.
All I can say is WOW
You've all heard the technical jargon about them but Torque steer ?
What torque steer ?? RS Turbo's Torque steer Focus RS's don't.
It handles really well especially as its a front wheel drive.
I am still convinced Ford have deleloped the Focus Cosworth on the back of this car. If they sell all 4500 Rs's then thats 90 million don't know what the car would cost to make but it must have cost more than 90 mil to develop it, so that leave's them out of pocket. Hey presto after all 4500 sold they announce the Cosworth at say 25k ??
I'm really impressed Ford have done an excellent job. Its really got that RS feel about it (all RS owners will know what I mean).
Sounds really nice aswell (well maybe a bit quiet)
All I can say to owners who have waited patiently is enjoy.
I reckon it was worth the wait.
Jas
13 December 2002, 08:53 AM
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From your review it sounds like Ford have done a good job at developing this car. Was this an official demonstrator, the reasons I ask is the Ford dealer that I visist insist Ford won't allow them to register demo cars. Although I have found a local dealer who has registered the car in an employee's name to get around the problem.
13 December 2002, 09:12 AM
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I thought they were only making 2000 Focus RS?
That's what dealer told me yesterday. Went to pick up my friends car but it had a problem with the alarm so he couldn't take it
I must say, I'm not a big ford fan, but certainly from the outside, the car looked fantastic, very aggresive and had a lovely set of 18's as well.
Made my WRX look like it was on stilts
Can't wait to go for a spin in it.
Chris
That's what dealer told me yesterday. Went to pick up my friends car but it had a problem with the alarm so he couldn't take it
I must say, I'm not a big ford fan, but certainly from the outside, the car looked fantastic, very aggresive and had a lovely set of 18's as well.
Made my WRX look like it was on stilts
Can't wait to go for a spin in it.
Chris
13 December 2002, 09:24 AM
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Think I just read your mates post on the Focus BB Lol he's not had much luck with it so far.
They are making 2500 RHD and 2000 LHD and thats it. There is a model cahnge due for 2004 so they'll probably buils some more then ? Or Cosworth one's 
Jas
They are making 2500 RHD and 2000 LHD and thats it. There is a model cahnge due for 2004 so they'll probably buils some more then ? Or Cosworth one's
Jas
13 December 2002, 02:14 PM
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I've not heard any reputable source mention torque steer in relation to handling of the RS Focus. What I have heard is that the diff behaves slightly disconcertingly on uneven road surfaces.
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13 December 2002, 05:41 PM
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Timbo
How about Clarkson on Top Gear, the Evo Team (in two seperate issues), Jay Kay on Top Gear, Tiff Needel on 5th Gear, Jason Plato on Driven (and some other car mags I have forgotten for now....)? 
Or does that list not qualify as a list of reputable sources? Personally, I'd love to drive one to find out for myself as the STi has a bit of this about it on the front diff and it doesn't bother me at all. I was reading the Evo ECOTY article tonight and they think that the diff, coupled with the stiff suspension is the real issue and because of that, they didn't feel confident to push it too hard.
Anybody know where a test drive could be arranged in the proximity of North London/Herts/Essex?
Ta,
Matt
I've not heard any reputable source mention torque steer in relation to handling of the RS Focus
Or does that list not qualify as a list of reputable sources? Personally, I'd love to drive one to find out for myself as the STi has a bit of this about it on the front diff and it doesn't bother me at all. I was reading the Evo ECOTY article tonight and they think that the diff, coupled with the stiff suspension is the real issue and because of that, they didn't feel confident to push it too hard.
Anybody know where a test drive could be arranged in the proximity of North London/Herts/Essex?
Ta,
Matt
13 December 2002, 05:53 PM
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I reckon if they ever make the Cosworth it will be more than £25k though, the last Escort Cos was more than this and it will be nearly 10 years on by the time the Focus comes (if ever). Especially when you consider they have to develop the 4WD platform for the Focus, the Escort one was more or less lifted from the Sapphire 4x4.
Still should be a fantastic car if they ever do get it onto the forecourts, the FRS looks very nice but is definitely a stop-gap IMO with it being FWD, Ford know that the real market for these cars is the potential for tuning by enthusiasts (how many 220BHP cossies do you see) and that potential is very limited by the drivetrain on the Focus RS IMO.
Not dissing the car in any way, it's probably an excellent package out of the box but I believe that if you took it up towards 250BHP or more then the laws of physics dictate that FWD will struggle to be effective even with a fancy diff. Bring on the 4WD cos!
Still should be a fantastic car if they ever do get it onto the forecourts, the FRS looks very nice but is definitely a stop-gap IMO with it being FWD, Ford know that the real market for these cars is the potential for tuning by enthusiasts (how many 220BHP cossies do you see) and that potential is very limited by the drivetrain on the Focus RS IMO.
Not dissing the car in any way, it's probably an excellent package out of the box but I believe that if you took it up towards 250BHP or more then the laws of physics dictate that FWD will struggle to be effective even with a fancy diff. Bring on the 4WD cos!
13 December 2002, 11:18 PM
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Anybody know where a test drive could be arranged in the proximity of North London/Herts/Essex?
Not from Dagenham motors!! went there today to try and get a test drive and was told there aren't any to test drive even though their web site has a contact for "book your test drive here" and a load of other sh*t from the salesman about not needing to test drive the Rs its just a car you want!! Yeah right Dick!!
Not from Dagenham motors!! went there today to try and get a test drive and was told there aren't any to test drive even though their web site has a contact for "book your test drive here" and a load of other sh*t from the salesman about not needing to test drive the Rs its just a car you want!! Yeah right Dick!!
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