Damn you Ford! Please make the RS available in the states. Fair trade, UK get the new Mustang for 2015 (which is going to be a block buster hit), the states should get the RS!
I dont think it will sell a lot. Not being offensive or anything but, large proportion of American buyers expect a higher prestige for a car at that price. Even if its a Focus RS, its still a Focus on their mind, so it doesnt feel special enough for them. I personally would buy it, but I dont think a large number of of Americans will.
@Kamukix Not really. The main feature of a Rally is that the drivers DON'T KNOW THE COURSE until the race itself. The Navigator can only tell the driver what the next turn or crest is. Road hazardconditions (dust, dirt, debris, water, weather, etc) remain unknown variables there. Notice during the race in Targa Tasmania it's dry at times and rainy the next. It's not part of the Navigator's pace notes.
Matt Hassig Really? Well, is the R34 a Supercar? No! The R35 is like the R34, a Sportscar.. Then Nissan launched It, back in 2008. They called´it there new Sportscar like a 911 or 911 Turbo.. That Simple. A supercar is something special like a Lambo Aventador or Pagani Zonda, how can you not know?
Both are fantastic cars to be honest, I can't say either are bad at all. Ok I admit I would rather have the GT-R, but I wouldn't be disappointed with the RS, and no it isn't actually that overpriced, it offers a lot of bang for yer buck but is also practical as a hot hatch should be. This is a good test as well.
Focus RS is too heavy, has no poise, it's like trying to slice a tomato with an axe. Too much power too, it';s a sloppy car which just understeers. On a track, i recon a 200hp EP3 type R would beat it silly.
+inthepuss 0610 I would not say slow as fuck... There are plenty of cars on the road that will beat them but vastly more that will lose. Especially for what they cost to buy / insure / run as a daily driver.
R mode does not affect breaks and the only reason the fuel consumption increases is that the driver tends to be driving the car harder. When R mode is engaged across all 3 settings it also reduces the stability control allowing the car to slip more in the corners. You can turn off the stab control altogether but it's claimed that if you do it will invalidate the warranty so never tried that :) Still a pretty good answer especially for a 10 year old :))
Excellent comparison, sadly it seems that 90% of the people commenting are either way too young to drive or don't understand in the least bit basic automotive truth. This is the same comparison as having a Mazda MX-5 on a windy road and then driving a Dodge Viper right afterward. Sure the Viper/GT-R will absolutely CRUSH it on track, but that means less than nothing on a real world road. You simply can't push a car of that caliber out there. Hurts but it's 100% true every time. Kei
Ok, now I want to say first before I get carried away, I genuinely respect Autocar as an old name in the business. However, as has been said this is not a 'vs' so much as a comparison with normal road speeds, as 'of course' the speed limits would have been obeyed. This from the outset means the GTR is just humming along, not being pushed at all, which is obvious from both driver comments and observation. Oh, and it is NOT a "60 grand supercar" it is a four door saloon, as fast as a supercar.
Yeah it's so hard to choose these days so many cars in all price ranges. Golf, Focus RS RX8, Honda Civic, Evo X 370Z, SLK350, the list goes on and on...
He's got a good point, confidence is what driving on a twisty road is all about. If you know exactly where the car is going every single time with little to no variance, you have more confidence. That Nissan keeps wanting to tear loose when given too much throttle in the corners. For this kind of road, I'd prefer FWD to unevenly-distributed AWD
agree with you 100percent....too many people buy cars that practically drive themselves...for me i'm a purist when it comes to motoring....don't need some fancy computer system in between myself and the tarmac, just raw mechanical engineering
i meant to buy it in Mexico, the price is 450,000(about 34,500 dlls)go with some dealer from Laredo TX, cause i dont recommend you to come to Mexico if is not a beach or if you dont know the place, good luck, i hope i get mine by the end of this year
Lol. Belive me, i couldn't believe it either but i'm very happy about it! Its the current issue out at the moment. One orange and one blue lambo on the front cover. Sept, 2009 is the issue name and its page 126/127. The mountune got to 130 half a second faster than the RS and the RS was only quicker between 100 and 120 mph in 4th gear, every where else the Mountune was considerably quicker. The RS has too much power for front wheel drive, thus the mountune can put it down better.
They have a valid point about the Focus being just as good on that road. We should all be able to relate to certain roads taking away from a cars capabilities. Things like bumps, curves banked the wrong way, and so on. It is very possible that the Ford takes that road as well as the GTR can. On a track, there is no comparison, but they already said that, right?
What a road; Buttertubs pass in North Yorkshire! This test though has been done many times before, just the age old comparison that shows that on public roads that you don't know all that well, theres only so fast you'll be willing to drive, regardless of how fast the car you're driving is.
Yeah that Capri is a nice car. Reminds me of a Datsun 240Z or Mazda RX-7 gen 1. Love those old sports cars! Luckily we get the next gen Euro Focus and the Fiesta next year. Take a look at the new Taurus SHO. It's badass for a big car.
@DatDatsun Ford is actually very reliable.. You missed their point entirely. They are saying that the RS gives the driver far more confidence then the GT-R. On a track/safe environment the GTR would kill the RS no problem. But, in the real world it's a different story. You can have all the power in the world but if you can't put it to the ground or around corners you can only go so fast.
today i spent from 9am to about 1pm in the RS and i got to tell you it is an awesome car, fast, stylish and even though it is front wheel drive it is so much fun!!! however driving in the real world the RS is a very stiff car, so you feel every bump on the road. however when you go up windy roads it is a lot of fun. overall amazing little car, just make sure you get it in BP Ultimate Green colour.
I know it sounds daft but i think i would, there's something overly clinical about the GTR. Although, i have just read EVO magazine and discovered that the Mountune ST is faster than the new RS up to 140 mph (thats when they run out of track!), and not just a little bit either, 0.5 of a second over pretty much the whole range!! And thats without the suspension upgrade so i think i'm best off keeping mine, the eibachs have made it even better!!
Actually the Ford Focus is a Rally car, that is why if faired well along with the GTR as it was out of it's element. I have a Focus and it handls really well in tight courses.
You people are missing the point. The point is that the GTR, despite being insanely fast for the price, isn't that fun. You'd enjoy a Golf GTI or Focus RS more (hence the comparison). You want fast and fun more in the GTR's price range (might be different in other countries): Jag XK, Corvette, Porsche 911, or a Dodge Viper. And the XK, 911, and even Corvette (if you're not old and fragile) are still usable, every day cars
@GFXKallum it doesnt matter what ppl think of the gtr cause its rep and track times speak for themselves. my 280kw fwd pulsar does 12.3et and is very quick around a race track but it doesnt last for many laps like all fwd, the front wheels are under too much load, wit straightline, corner traction and braking all directed 2 the front wheels while rwd have its traction and power stress directed to the rears which leaves the front wit only braking stress which obviously means the tyres last longer
Top gear really does kick arse!! I totally agree with you, i reckon 4WD and put it up there power and speed wise with the fastest EVO's of this world. As it is, it's just a heavily tunes ST with too much power that can't put it all on the road, and as a result, it would seem, an ST with 260 bhp is faster! I really don't know what team RS were thinking. The escort and sierra cosworths were properly quick cars, but the focus RS just seems to be another quick hot hatch. Its a shame.
Here's one for you... Nissan GTR 60k OTR, twenty years later 10k? i.e. R33 GTR...... Focus RS 30k, twenty years later 15k i.e. Escort cosworth..... Yes, without a doubt the GTR is a better car, but if I had 60k spare, I'm not sure I would buy that in particular, perhaps a second hand lambo or porsche would get the vote. This Focus RS is an Icon of everything the British driver enjoys which is evident from the strong residuals..... And thats why the 182 cup is going, and im buying an RS (green)
no, the r32 thinks it know best. i hate traction control. he says his foot is flat but it just doesn't want to accelerate hard. this is why i love the r32. there is nothing between you and the road. nothing that thinks it knows best. i own an r32 gts-t and i love it. i will eventually buy a gt-r
I'm an American and it pisses me off that Ford is selling their best stuff overseas and not here. There's no reason that car should not be for sale here in the states, and if it were it would be outselling the wrx, evo, Civic Si, etc. COME ON FORD!!! Now is not the time to be pulling punches.
That's great if you were just choosing which car to drive. You could just choose a Focus or a Civic Type R etc. If you were being given one and had no option of switching back and forth whenever you wanted your outlook would be a lot different. Also if you were buying one the amount of money you had to spend would greatly influence your choice. These real world test only benefit the journalists so they can take these cars out for a spin. We already know that hot hatches are "fun to drive".
I would chose Focus too. I agree that GTR has way more power, but , as this guy said,Focus is more fun to drive on normal mountain roads. Power isn't everything, what is good to have power when you don't have the proper road to use it.
I have driven a GT-R, it is a nice driving car. Never driven a Ford Focus RS though. But I will say it is more comfortable than a F-430. Just throw it in automatic and you can just cruise.
Trust me you don't want a Mustang. And they're actually not that expensive. A well equipped Mustang GT is closer to $30,000~£18,000 or less. But, you have so many cars there that are better. I love hot hatches, the Focus RS, the Megane R26, Clio Cup, Civic R, VW Scirocco... Stick with those. Most for the money from what I can see.
I was being a little harsh I guess. The 2010 Mustang is pretty nice. All the magazines say it is a good track car compared to the new Camaro and Challenger which are more expensive and heavier. But I'd still not buy one and get the new GTI, or upgrade to an Evo X or Golf R when that gets here. And a Corvette starts at about $48,000, but who knows what they're actually selling for considering the state of GM.
Then you've lost the bet already. The GT-R has been capturing win after win in the Super GT/Japan Touring Car Championships since its debut in 2008 (in 2008 alone, the GT-R scored 7 wins in 9 races (though by different drivers/teams) in the Super GT).
let me give you guys a good example on how bias this test is: "two boxers got inside the ring for the fight, boxer01 can freely do what ever he pleases. the other boxer02 can only use 1 hand during the fight, because his trainer said so" trainer: the electronic limiter of the GTR boxer 02:GTR boxer01:focus RS
I thought this was a great test. The only problem is in the US we have strict speed limits and very few twisty roads. If we want to do high performance driving, it has to be on a track.
LOL@ all the comments some real hero's on here... he opened the clip with yes the GTR would kill the RS in the correct unlimited situation ie: Track, i have driven both cars round the Evo triangle and i would choose the focus. NOT because it's nearly 40k cheaper not because i secretly want a GTR but because the RS was made for country road fun! the GTR is made for the track and straight line speed. That said i own a 250bhp Caterham that would kill both these car on track and country lane :)
They should have hired Tony Quinn, veteran race driver from the Targa Tasmania Road Rally Series (he drives the GTR in those gruelling road races), to take the GTR on that road.
firstly, the RS is a brilliant car.. and secondly, the purpose of this test was how much FUN you can have with both cars.. thats why they compared so different cars
Well technically speaking the Nürburgring is a real life road, and the Ford takes a full minute longer to lap it. So no matter how much you want the Ford to be as good as the Nissan, it just isn't. And don't try to tell the public otherwise cause you're making fools out of yourselves.
@Twingerson You didn't watch the video then. He clearly says that ford focus RS more fun to drive because of the confidence it gives you. He says that around 3:38. I know how much grip the RS has despite the 300+bhp and being fwd. But AWD/4WD will have a superior grip. Thats a fact. In real world gtr might not have a huge advantage due to speed limits and other drivers. But it should give you more confidence than a FWD.
@DatDatsun Your getting pretty worked up there. I understand the comparison, I don't entirely agree with it though. It does show how ridiculous supercars are on everyday roads though. Top Gear talks about how some cars are faster in real world driving then others are. The RS is more fun on that road because he is pushing the car hard and driving it closer to it's limits while the GTR isn't as fun because it can't be pushed very hard on that road or you will end up off the road.
agreed. it still is better than most new cars. 200CUP is awsome in the twisties.and it,s no slouch in a straight line. due to it being very light. not far behind MK2 RS. with 105hp less. too bad you guy,s don,t get many HOTHATCHES. although i wish we would get some muscle cars.
@cytomatrix he didn't say it was better than the GTR, he, and every other auto reviewer ever have simply stated its staggering the amount of grip this FWD car does have.
Oh jeez. "the traction control is always cuttin off". If it's killig the go, kill the TCS. I bet a old legacy 200 wagon has worse suspension and driveability but still i know you can keep it uder control while it's spinning the wheels. I've driven one, 270 bhp on wheels and bit icy road. Had a blast. This guy doesn't clearly know how to drive a GT-R or any other AWD. It takes determination and totally different approach tha 2wd. He drove the gt-r like any other FWD.
@h38604460 the caterham is completely street legal. it has the ability to drive over speed bumps. both requirements to get on the poower lap board on top gear. they also both have tha seme power/weight ratio. the bugatti also does not have a comfort suspension, on the track they had it in handling mode, which lowered the ride height, raised the wing and increased downforce
And it turns out that the RS is 82 kg heavier, which is basically an average person, which is a lot. RS 0-60 did 6.0, ST mountune 0-60 did 5.8. If it was anyone other than EVO or Top Gear i wouldn't believe it myself but it was a completely fair test.
I think this is a great video personally and know where they are coming from. The GT-R is an amazing car and is in a league of its own, especially given its value for money, as is the RS focus.But on normal country roads, even me in my diesel mapped mondeo st, can fight my own and keep with hot hatches like the civic type r and vxr astr, even imprazas. Thats not a boast but they can only get so much grip and can only accelerate so hard before having to slam on the brakes. I know from my cbr600!
Sorry, but being a passionate Skyline enthusiast and owner of many variants thereof throughout the years, I'd still call the this GTR a Skyline, and not be too bothered about being corrected......it has the proper pedigree, and it still has those tail lights!~.....woohoo. (Though I get a bit pissed orf when someone calls my V35 an Infiniti or some such shit).....cheers!
Good shout, i love both cars but if you wanted to go out and buy a new car it wouldn't be between these 2 cos they are totally different cars in very different price ranges! GTR is priced more alongside new m3............but i'd take the GTR all day!
@earwigeye I didn't realize you had a point. Where is it? When I was little my friends and I made bow's and arrows using sticks and kite string. The didn'y work very well but back in the day, we thought they were deadly! We made the "arrows" sharp by rubbing one end on the pavement. Maybe you should try that with your replies, it might give them a point. It will likely be impotent and useless but at least it might resemble something! Have you picked up a copy of Buffy and Mack yet?
I really find it sad and yet hillarious that so many people are offended by this video. They are not trying to tell you that a Focus will outrun a GT-R because we all know that is like saying you'd rather kill someone with a blowgun than a .357. What they are trying to say is that you dont need to spend 60 grand on a GT-R to have a car that can be fun on a real life road. Sure the GT-R is amazing but its limits are so high there's no challenge to drive it on a road like that at legal speeds.
@Topjacket Typical in what way? Lot less power than the RS but arguably a lot better handling than the RS. I Have a 2009 S3 and I would ditch it in a heartbeat for the GTR.
Why do we get a Piss poor excuse for a Focus here in the U.S while everywhere else gets beauties like the RS?!! Ugg!!! It's bad enough they don't make the SVT,Roush,and Saleen versions anymore here. Damn I HATE OUR EPA STANDARDS! GTR still my dream car though!
But you can never compare the level of confidence of the Gt-r with a ford RS, a better comparison would be an evo and a GT-r ( both are turbo charges, both are AWD ) :)
Thanks for replying again! I no longer have an interest in hunting or making my own bows and arrows at home( as my food come pre-dead and often already cooked) but I still remember how to make a POINT. Who says I don't like the GTR? It's spiffy but it's no match for your mom, which I get for free (I used to pay a dollar or toss her a slice of processed cheese. She LOVES that stuff!). I could have a GTR but why not get a 2011 GT500 and save $30,000 and have a faster, more reliable car?
While I agree that the the Focus RS would match for the Impreza WRX STi/Evo, I also think the Corvette ZR1 would have been a better match than the GT-R, and only because the driver has more control over the car, and its traction. Of course, having less automated traction control requires a much better driver to be able to handle the raw, uncontrolled power.
hm... cant say im completly happy the focus is in a comparison vid with the gtr. i love the focus but... the gtr IS a superior car. but in stuck in USA where we dont get the RS but we do get the gtr. ut'd be nice to have the rs here.
1. Talking like that makes me thing that you work in a bank or something and you never heard of "value for money" expression. 2. Focus RS is a great car because it is fun, and fun does not mean something expensive and very complicated. 3. 300 HP front wheel drive and no suicide note is something hard to achieve and Ford did it. 4. GTR is a great car but it's not for all to have, it's just another accessory for rich people.. Focus is made for you, the GTR is made for others to see you in it.
Thank god for Ford's new CEO. Can't wait for the gen 3 focus in the states! Won't get the RS tho... Ford Europe and Ford domestic have always been quite different.
@Kamukix Also, by your logic the Corvette Z06 should have demolished the competition in the 2010 Targa Tasmania which it took part since it thrives on the straights. In reality, it was nothing more than a footnote in that race (it finished 16th place, as far as 10 minutes behind the race leaders, including the 3rd placing GT-R).
remember autocar, the GTR behaves differently when the electronic limiter is switch on, thus losing alot of perfromance aspects like: entry and exit speeds.... acceleration. the RS only won in this situation, because the the GTR was tied on leash, making major restrictions, thus making the comparison bias and void. remember i have an RS, i love its revoknuckle suspension and fancy electronic differential. but the RS is not restricted in any way at all, and the GTR is... well on public roads LOL
a couple of recent gtr owners who abuse their cars vs regular driving ford owners over years and years.....ur right ford is just as reliable.....i guess
Dude it is a skyline... its Everything skyline range ever stood for in terms of power, most advanced electronics available and a capability to ruin most supercars while being priced half as cheap. When gtr33 came out and the famous gtr 34 r both were supercar killers thanks to abilities to be easily tuned and having the chassis and electronics advanced enough to deal with any power u give them. The chassis code for the GTR has been called CBA-R35 or 'R35' for short. You can guess whats R35..
this thing has brutal in gear acceleration, where in reality itll be able to exploit most of its performance potential. Sad that they couldnt keep the weight down a bit more.
I believe the video has point. The Mondeos I've driven have an incredible road feeling. Even the sounds alone lets you know if you are going to oversteer or understeer. It even tells you how well each tyre are gripping the road.. That allows me to go faster than a Insignia or RCZ or any shit like that.. Still, does that make me chose Focus RS? No chance in hell! And Focus RS vs GT-R: obviously thats bullshit.
Why isn't the RS in the US? A 305 HP hatchback? Good job Ford! Dang, it looks like a mix between a sports coupe and a hatchback. Great job... How much do these go for?
Its interesting what was said about Nissan engineers designing the GTR to be the fastest around a track and Ford the most enjoyable on normal roads. There is so much hype about the performance of the GTR (0-60 times & Track times) and not enough discussion on what its actually like to drive on real roads. In the only two tests Ive seen where they can be bothered to look at this, the GTR loses to both the Focus RS & M3.
Ok I think it depends if you mean the original Ford GT in which case no argument that is a legend. However if you mean the "remake" Ford made a few years ago I have to disagree. While a good car it is still a road going copy of the original and a stock GTR will easily beat it. So if you mean the original GT then yes I agree with you :)
Xpo213, what I'm trying to say is that this two cars are totally diffrent, the focus is 50k cheaper than the gtr,now let me ask u something, what if we could build an 80k focus, do you think that the gtr would be a better car ? I don't think so. A better comparaion or match up would be a gtr vs a mustang supersanake, they are both about the same price range, and the stang has at least 450 more horses then the focus.
@chiwiitube You can't turn it off on public roads or else you void the warranty. It's only when the GPS registers that you are at a track does it allow you to disable it without any consequences
@GFXKallum so no matter how much icing you put on a ford rs its still a front wheel drive, all the power, traction and braking duties are left to the front tyres to handle which obviously means the car wont last around a track opposed to a awd and rwd which manage tyres stress in a balanced manner. the gtr can post consistant blistering fast times while eating lunch, and for u to say the RS is better is funny considering the gtr nailed the bugatti,enzo,ariel atom,ect around topgear trak
2:33 says it all. Left for dead out of that corner.
The autocar's "real world" tests are probably the auto tests i ve ever seen and make sense to the every day driver/customer.... excellent job !
Damn you Ford! Please make the RS available in the states. Fair trade, UK get the new Mustang for 2015 (which is going to be a block buster hit), the states should get the RS!
No, it will be a failure over here.
Kazi2812 well i guess we'll see when Ford posts record earnings and sales numbers this next year won't we. Why don't you get back with me then?
I dont think it will sell a lot. Not being offensive or anything but, large proportion of American buyers expect a higher prestige for a car at that price. Even if its a Focus RS, its still a Focus on their mind, so it doesnt feel special enough for them. I personally would buy it, but I dont think a large number of of Americans will.
Heard the news? Focus RS coming to US and Canada.
elusivellama I hope its not a detuned version.
@Kamukix Not really. The main feature of a Rally is that the drivers DON'T KNOW THE COURSE until the race itself. The Navigator can only tell the driver what the next turn or crest is. Road hazardconditions (dust, dirt, debris, water, weather, etc) remain unknown variables there. Notice during the race in Targa Tasmania it's dry at times and rainy the next. It's not part of the Navigator's pace notes.
Hate then ppl call the GT-R a Supercar.. It´s a sportscar!
No? Even Nissan says its a Sportscar..
***** Its a supercar.
Matt Hassig No, sportscar!
***** Seriously though, it's a supercar. How is it not?
Matt Hassig Really? Well, is the R34 a Supercar? No! The R35 is like the R34, a Sportscar.. Then Nissan launched It, back in 2008. They called´it there new Sportscar like a 911 or 911 Turbo.. That Simple. A supercar is something special like a Lambo Aventador or Pagani Zonda, how can you not know?
Both are fantastic cars to be honest, I can't say either are bad at all. Ok I admit I would rather have the GT-R, but I wouldn't be disappointed with the RS, and no it isn't actually that overpriced, it offers a lot of bang for yer buck but is also practical as a hot hatch should be. This is a good test as well.
2 awesome Cars !!!
I like comparisons like this, comparing the attainable with the not-so-attainable and evaluating the differences in the real world.
Focus RS is too heavy, has no poise, it's like trying to slice a tomato with an axe. Too much power too, it';s a sloppy car which just understeers. On a track, i recon a 200hp EP3 type R would beat it silly.
No one gives a flying fuck about a Civic Type R. They're slow as fuck.
your a fucking ricer. Hondas are for little girls
+inthepuss 0610 I would not say slow as fuck... There are plenty of cars on the road that will beat them but vastly more that will lose. Especially for what they cost to buy / insure / run as a daily driver.
Have you a clue what you're talking about.
There is so much wrong with this comment it’s not even worth correcting.
R mode does not affect breaks and the only reason the fuel consumption increases is that the driver tends to be driving the car harder. When R mode is engaged across all 3 settings it also reduces the stability control allowing the car to slip more in the corners. You can turn off the stab control altogether but it's claimed that if you do it will invalidate the warranty so never tried that :) Still a pretty good answer especially for a 10 year old :))
"This" comparison needs to be updated for 2016! Nismo GTR /Focus RS
Excellent comparison, sadly it seems that 90% of the people commenting are either way too young to drive or don't understand in the least bit basic automotive truth. This is the same comparison as having a Mazda MX-5 on a windy road and then driving a Dodge Viper right afterward. Sure the Viper/GT-R will absolutely CRUSH it on track, but that means less than nothing on a real world road. You simply can't push a car of that caliber out there.
Hurts but it's 100% true every time.
Kei
Ok, now I want to say first before I get carried away, I genuinely respect Autocar as an old name in the business.
However, as has been said this is not a 'vs' so much as a comparison with normal road speeds, as 'of course' the speed limits would have been obeyed. This from the outset means the GTR is just humming along, not being pushed at all, which is obvious from both driver comments and observation.
Oh, and it is NOT a "60 grand supercar" it is a four door saloon, as fast as a supercar.
Great video! Don't listen to the haters. This is what happens in real life! The haters probably think a murcielago would be good on these roads...
This wasnt a duel it just was a review of 2 awesome cars
Yeah it's so hard to choose these days so many cars in all price ranges. Golf, Focus RS RX8, Honda Civic, Evo X 370Z, SLK350, the list goes on and on...
He's got a good point, confidence is what driving on a twisty road is all about. If you know exactly where the car is going every single time with little to no variance, you have more confidence. That Nissan keeps wanting to tear loose when given too much throttle in the corners. For this kind of road, I'd prefer FWD to unevenly-distributed AWD
agree with you 100percent....too many people buy cars that practically drive themselves...for me i'm a purist when it comes to motoring....don't need some fancy computer system in between myself and the tarmac, just raw mechanical engineering
with a camera car in front you will never lose him!
i meant to buy it in Mexico, the price is 450,000(about 34,500 dlls)go with some dealer from Laredo TX, cause i dont recommend you to come to Mexico if is not a beach or if you dont know the place, good luck, i hope i get mine by the end of this year
Lol. Belive me, i couldn't believe it either but i'm very happy about it! Its the current issue out at the moment. One orange and one blue lambo on the front cover. Sept, 2009 is the issue name and its page 126/127. The mountune got to 130 half a second faster than the RS and the RS was only quicker between 100 and 120 mph in 4th gear, every where else the Mountune was considerably quicker. The RS has too much power for front wheel drive, thus the mountune can put it down better.
This video is before the introduction of the 2017 all wheel drive 2.3 turbo RS
They have a valid point about the Focus being just as good on that road. We should all be able to relate to certain roads taking away from a cars capabilities. Things like bumps, curves banked the wrong way, and so on. It is very possible that the Ford takes that road as well as the GTR can. On a track, there is no comparison, but they already said that, right?
What a road; Buttertubs pass in North Yorkshire!
This test though has been done many times before, just the age old comparison that shows that on public roads that you don't know all that well, theres only so fast you'll be willing to drive, regardless of how fast the car you're driving is.
Yeah that Capri is a nice car. Reminds me of a Datsun 240Z or Mazda RX-7 gen 1. Love those old sports cars! Luckily we get the next gen Euro Focus and the Fiesta next year. Take a look at the new Taurus SHO. It's badass for a big car.
@DatDatsun Ford is actually very reliable.. You missed their point entirely. They are saying that the RS gives the driver far more confidence then the GT-R. On a track/safe environment the GTR would kill the RS no problem. But, in the real world it's a different story. You can have all the power in the world but if you can't put it to the ground or around corners you can only go so fast.
today i spent from 9am to about 1pm in the RS and i got to tell you it is an awesome car, fast, stylish and even though it is front wheel drive it is so much fun!!! however driving in the real world the RS is a very stiff car, so you feel every bump on the road. however when you go up windy roads it is a lot of fun. overall amazing little car, just make sure you get it in BP Ultimate Green colour.
I know it sounds daft but i think i would, there's something overly clinical about the GTR. Although, i have just read EVO magazine and discovered that the Mountune ST is faster than the new RS up to 140 mph (thats when they run out of track!), and not just a little bit either, 0.5 of a second over pretty much the whole range!! And thats without the suspension upgrade so i think i'm best off keeping mine, the eibachs have made it even better!!
Actually the Ford Focus is a Rally car, that is why if faired well along with the GTR as it was out of it's element. I have a Focus and it handls really well in tight courses.
You people are missing the point. The point is that the GTR, despite being insanely fast for the price, isn't that fun. You'd enjoy a Golf GTI or Focus RS more (hence the comparison). You want fast and fun more in the GTR's price range (might be different in other countries): Jag XK, Corvette, Porsche 911, or a Dodge Viper. And the XK, 911, and even Corvette (if you're not old and fragile) are still usable, every day cars
@GFXKallum it doesnt matter what ppl think of the gtr cause its rep and track times speak for themselves. my 280kw fwd pulsar does 12.3et and is very quick around a race track but it doesnt last for many laps like all fwd, the front wheels are under too much load, wit straightline, corner traction and braking all directed 2 the front wheels while rwd have its traction and power stress directed to the rears which leaves the front wit only braking stress which obviously means the tyres last longer
Top gear really does kick arse!! I totally agree with you, i reckon 4WD and put it up there power and speed wise with the fastest EVO's of this world. As it is, it's just a heavily tunes ST with too much power that can't put it all on the road, and as a result, it would seem, an ST with 260 bhp is faster! I really don't know what team RS were thinking. The escort and sierra cosworths were properly quick cars, but the focus RS just seems to be another quick hot hatch. Its a shame.
Here's one for you... Nissan GTR 60k OTR, twenty years later 10k? i.e. R33 GTR...... Focus RS 30k, twenty years later 15k i.e. Escort cosworth.....
Yes, without a doubt the GTR is a better car, but if I had 60k spare, I'm not sure I would buy that in particular, perhaps a second hand lambo or porsche would get the vote.
This Focus RS is an Icon of everything the British driver enjoys which is evident from the strong residuals..... And thats why the 182 cup is going, and im buying an RS (green)
So your other video shows a clio rs is as fast as a focus rs on the road. And the focus rs is as fast as a gtr. So a clio is also as fast as a gtr?
Have you driven them both?
no, the r32 thinks it know best. i hate traction control. he says his foot is flat but it just doesn't want to accelerate hard. this is why i love the r32. there is nothing between you and the road. nothing that thinks it knows best. i own an r32 gts-t and i love it. i will eventually buy a gt-r
Focus RS is really one of the best car in the world
I'm an American and it pisses me off that Ford is selling their best stuff overseas and not here. There's no reason that car should not be for sale here in the states, and if it were it would be outselling the wrx, evo, Civic Si, etc. COME ON FORD!!! Now is not the time to be pulling punches.
That's great if you were just choosing which car to drive. You could just choose a Focus or a Civic Type R etc. If you were being given one and had no option of switching back and forth whenever you wanted your outlook would be a lot different. Also if you were buying one the amount of money you had to spend would greatly influence your choice. These real world test only benefit the journalists so they can take these cars out for a spin. We already know that hot hatches are "fun to drive".
I would chose Focus too. I agree that GTR has way more power, but , as this guy said,Focus is more fun to drive on normal mountain roads. Power isn't everything, what is good to have power when you don't have the proper road to use it.
I have driven a GT-R, it is a nice driving car. Never driven a Ford Focus RS though. But I will say it is more comfortable than a F-430. Just throw it in automatic and you can just cruise.
Trust me you don't want a Mustang. And they're actually not that expensive. A well equipped Mustang GT is closer to $30,000~£18,000 or less. But, you have so many cars there that are better. I love hot hatches, the Focus RS, the Megane R26, Clio Cup, Civic R, VW Scirocco... Stick with those. Most for the money from what I can see.
I was being a little harsh I guess. The 2010 Mustang is pretty nice. All the magazines say it is a good track car compared to the new Camaro and Challenger which are more expensive and heavier. But I'd still not buy one and get the new GTI, or upgrade to an Evo X or Golf R when that gets here. And a Corvette starts at about $48,000, but who knows what they're actually selling for considering the state of GM.
Then you've lost the bet already. The GT-R has been capturing win after win in the Super GT/Japan Touring Car Championships since its debut in 2008 (in 2008 alone, the GT-R scored 7 wins in 9 races (though by different drivers/teams) in the Super GT).
let me give you guys a good example on how bias this test is: "two boxers got inside the ring for the fight, boxer01 can freely do what ever he pleases. the other boxer02 can only use 1 hand during the fight, because his trainer said so"
trainer: the electronic limiter of the GTR
boxer 02:GTR
boxer01:focus RS
I thought this was a great test. The only problem is in the US we have strict speed limits and very few twisty roads. If we want to do high performance driving, it has to be on a track.
is that 350 at the flywheel? Thats a decent amount for a small car like that either way. bet she moves along quite well indeed.
LOL@ all the comments some real hero's on here... he opened the clip with yes the GTR would kill the RS in the correct unlimited situation ie: Track, i have driven both cars round the Evo triangle and i would choose the focus. NOT because it's nearly 40k cheaper not because i secretly want a GTR but because the RS was made for country road fun! the GTR is made for the track and straight line speed.
That said i own a 250bhp Caterham that would kill both these car on track and country lane :)
dude! dont know if im just imagining or what but the narrator dude looks just like the partner of Jacques the inspector in the Pink panther
They should have hired Tony Quinn, veteran race driver from the Targa Tasmania Road Rally Series (he drives the GTR in those gruelling road races), to take the GTR on that road.
firstly, the RS is a brilliant car.. and secondly, the purpose of this test was how much FUN you can have with both cars.. thats why they compared so different cars
Well technically speaking the Nürburgring is a real life road, and the Ford takes a full minute longer to lap it. So no matter how much you want the Ford to be as good as the Nissan, it just isn't. And don't try to tell the public otherwise cause you're making fools out of yourselves.
@Twingerson You didn't watch the video then. He clearly says that ford focus RS more fun to drive because of the confidence it gives you. He says that around 3:38. I know how much grip the RS has despite the 300+bhp and being fwd. But AWD/4WD will have a superior grip. Thats a fact. In real world gtr might not have a huge advantage due to speed limits and other drivers. But it should give you more confidence than a FWD.
@DatDatsun Your getting pretty worked up there. I understand the comparison, I don't entirely agree with it though. It does show how ridiculous supercars are on everyday roads though. Top Gear talks about how some cars are faster in real world driving then others are. The RS is more fun on that road because he is pushing the car hard and driving it closer to it's limits while the GTR isn't as fun because it can't be pushed very hard on that road or you will end up off the road.
id take the focus RS, and if I live in America, Id take the Corvette ZR1, because fun and excitement are my priority when it comes to sportscar
agreed. it still is better than most new cars. 200CUP is awsome in the twisties.and it,s no slouch in a straight line. due to it being very light. not far behind MK2 RS. with 105hp less. too bad you guy,s don,t get many HOTHATCHES. although i wish we would get some muscle cars.
@cytomatrix he didn't say it was better than the GTR, he, and every other auto reviewer ever have simply stated its staggering the amount of grip this FWD car does have.
People often don't realise, it's not about USING the power, it's about HAVING it ;)
Oh jeez. "the traction control is always cuttin off".
If it's killig the go, kill the TCS. I bet a old legacy 200 wagon has worse suspension and driveability but still i know you can keep it uder control while it's spinning the wheels. I've driven one, 270 bhp on wheels and bit icy road. Had a blast. This guy doesn't clearly know how to drive a GT-R or any other AWD. It takes determination and totally different approach tha 2wd. He drove the gt-r like any other FWD.
seems like that guy just woke up 5 mins ago, look at his hair lawl
@h38604460 the caterham is completely street legal. it has the ability to drive over speed bumps. both requirements to get on the poower lap board on top gear. they also both have tha seme power/weight ratio. the bugatti also does not have a comfort suspension, on the track they had it in handling mode, which lowered the ride height, raised the wing and increased downforce
And it turns out that the RS is 82 kg heavier, which is basically an average person, which is a lot. RS 0-60 did 6.0, ST mountune 0-60 did 5.8. If it was anyone other than EVO or Top Gear i wouldn't believe it myself but it was a completely fair test.
I think this is a great video personally and know where they are coming from. The GT-R is an amazing car and is in a league of its own, especially given its value for money, as is the RS focus.But on normal country roads, even me in my diesel mapped mondeo st, can fight my own and keep with hot hatches like the civic type r and vxr astr, even imprazas. Thats not a boast but they can only get so much grip and can only accelerate so hard before having to slam on the brakes. I know from my cbr600!
Wow both of my favorite cars at my favorite airfield!
Sorry, but being a passionate Skyline enthusiast and owner of many variants thereof throughout the years, I'd still call the this GTR a Skyline, and not be too bothered about being corrected......it has the proper pedigree, and it still has those tail lights!~.....woohoo. (Though I get a bit pissed orf when someone calls my V35 an Infiniti or some such shit).....cheers!
Good shout, i love both cars but if you wanted to go out and buy a new car it wouldn't be between these 2 cos they are totally different cars in very different price ranges! GTR is priced more alongside new m3............but i'd take the GTR all day!
it would be cool to have ford like this in North America
@earwigeye I didn't realize you had a point. Where is it? When I was little my friends and I made bow's and arrows using sticks and kite string. The didn'y work very well but back in the day, we thought they were deadly! We made the "arrows" sharp by rubbing one end on the pavement. Maybe you should try that with your replies, it might give them a point. It will likely be impotent and useless but at least it might resemble something! Have you picked up a copy of Buffy and Mack yet?
I really find it sad and yet hillarious that so many people are offended by this video. They are not trying to tell you that a Focus will outrun a GT-R because we all know that is like saying you'd rather kill someone with a blowgun than a .357. What they are trying to say is that you dont need to spend 60 grand on a GT-R to have a car that can be fun on a real life road. Sure the GT-R is amazing but its limits are so high there's no challenge to drive it on a road like that at legal speeds.
@Topjacket Typical in what way? Lot less power than the RS but arguably a lot better handling than the RS. I Have a 2009 S3 and I would ditch it in a heartbeat for the GTR.
@MrCalendarboy i agree if it has any performance flaws it makes up for it in safety and luxury its unmatched in my opinion
Why do we get a Piss poor excuse for a Focus here in the U.S while everywhere else gets beauties like the RS?!! Ugg!!! It's bad enough they don't make the SVT,Roush,and Saleen versions anymore here. Damn I HATE OUR EPA STANDARDS! GTR still my dream car though!
But you can never compare the level of confidence of the Gt-r with a ford RS, a better comparison would be an evo and a GT-r ( both are turbo charges, both are AWD ) :)
The only thing this video proves is that guy can't drive for shit. And he called the GT-R a Skyline. Proves how much he knows.
...The focus does look pretty fun.
Too bad the RS isn't sold here.
Thanks for replying again! I no longer have an interest in hunting or making my own bows and arrows at home( as my food come pre-dead and often already cooked) but I still remember how to make a POINT. Who says I don't like the GTR? It's spiffy but it's no match for your mom, which I get for free (I used to pay a dollar or toss her a slice of processed cheese. She LOVES that stuff!). I could have a GTR but why not get a 2011 GT500 and save $30,000 and have a faster, more reliable car?
While I agree that the the Focus RS would match for the Impreza WRX STi/Evo, I also think the Corvette ZR1 would have been a better match than the GT-R, and only because the driver has more control over the car, and its traction. Of course, having less automated traction control requires a much better driver to be able to handle the raw, uncontrolled power.
I wonder how the Focus RS would have fared in the Targa Tasmania Road Rallies? (the last one in 2009 was interestingly won by the Nissan GT-R).
hm... cant say im completly happy the focus is in a comparison vid with the gtr. i love the focus but... the gtr IS a superior car. but in stuck in USA where we dont get the RS but we do get the gtr. ut'd be nice to have the rs here.
1. Talking like that makes me thing that you work in a bank or something and you never heard of "value for money" expression.
2. Focus RS is a great car because it is fun, and fun does not mean something expensive and very complicated.
3. 300 HP front wheel drive and no suicide note is something hard to achieve and Ford did it.
4. GTR is a great car but it's not for all to have, it's just another accessory for rich people..
Focus is made for you, the GTR is made for others to see you in it.
I hear you. If the Focus looked like the RS I'd lean towards it instead of a Subaru or the Lancer Evo.
Thank god for Ford's new CEO. Can't wait for the gen 3 focus in the states! Won't get the RS tho...
Ford Europe and Ford domestic have always been quite different.
@Kamukix Also, by your logic the Corvette Z06 should have demolished the competition in the 2010 Targa Tasmania which it took part since it thrives on the straights. In reality, it was nothing more than a footnote in that race (it finished 16th place, as far as 10 minutes behind the race leaders, including the 3rd placing GT-R).
remember autocar, the GTR behaves differently when the electronic limiter is switch on, thus losing alot of perfromance aspects like: entry and exit speeds.... acceleration. the RS only won in this situation, because the the GTR was tied on leash, making major restrictions, thus making the comparison bias and void. remember i have an RS, i love its revoknuckle suspension and fancy electronic differential. but the RS is not restricted in any way at all, and the GTR is... well on public roads LOL
a couple of recent gtr owners who abuse their cars vs regular driving ford owners over years and years.....ur right ford is just as reliable.....i guess
What launch control?
Dude it is a skyline... its Everything skyline range ever stood for in terms of power, most advanced electronics available and a capability to ruin most supercars while being priced half as cheap. When gtr33 came out and the famous gtr 34 r both were supercar killers thanks to abilities to be easily tuned and having the chassis and electronics advanced enough to deal with any power u give them.
The chassis code for the GTR has been called CBA-R35 or 'R35' for short. You can guess whats R35..
Technically you are right, Its not a skyline because its based on Infinity g35 platform ) but thats about it..
4:37 "One last blast back over that pass" Is he a presenter or a rapper? xD
this thing has brutal in gear acceleration, where in reality itll be able to exploit most of its performance potential. Sad that they couldnt keep the weight down a bit more.
and then the advertisement says '' red GTR with only 1000 miles on the clock'',brand new,never been pushed or been on a a track.Nice!!!
I believe the video has point. The Mondeos I've driven have an incredible road feeling. Even the sounds alone lets you know if you are going to oversteer or understeer. It even tells you how well each tyre are gripping the road.. That allows me to go faster than a Insignia or RCZ or any shit like that.. Still, does that make me chose Focus RS? No chance in hell! And Focus RS vs GT-R: obviously thats bullshit.
both cars looks amazing
Why isn't the RS in the US? A 305 HP hatchback? Good job Ford! Dang, it looks like a mix between a sports coupe and a hatchback. Great job... How much do these go for?
Its interesting what was said about Nissan engineers designing the GTR to be the fastest around a track and Ford the most enjoyable on normal roads. There is so much hype about the performance of the GTR (0-60 times & Track times) and not enough discussion on what its actually like to drive on real roads. In the only two tests Ive seen where they can be bothered to look at this, the GTR loses to both the Focus RS & M3.
you are right, torque does the work out of the curve...
Ok I think it depends if you mean the original Ford GT in which case no argument that is a legend. However if you mean the "remake" Ford made a few years ago I have to disagree. While a good car it is still a road going copy of the original and a stock GTR will easily beat it. So if you mean the original GT then yes I agree with you :)
Xpo213, what I'm trying to say is that this two cars are totally diffrent, the focus is 50k cheaper than the gtr,now let me ask u something, what if we could build an 80k focus, do you think that the gtr would be a better car ? I don't think so.
A better comparaion or match up would be a gtr vs a mustang supersanake, they are both about the same price range, and the stang has at least 450 more horses then the focus.
@chiwiitube You can't turn it off on public roads or else you void the warranty. It's only when the GPS registers that you are at a track does it allow you to disable it without any consequences
@GFXKallum so no matter how much icing you put on a ford rs its still a front wheel drive, all the power, traction and braking duties are left to the front tyres to handle which obviously means the car wont last around a track opposed to a awd and rwd which manage tyres stress in a balanced manner. the gtr can post consistant blistering fast times while eating lunch, and for u to say the RS is better is funny considering the gtr nailed the bugatti,enzo,ariel atom,ect around topgear trak