I'd have the BMW in a second. Best engine (TT straight 6), best layout (RWD), best interior, best looks (no stupid vents or spoilers), and best badge. I'd love to see the Focus RS come to the states, but if they price anywhere near the 1-series, Ford will have a tough time moving them.
@2007TypeR I wasn't comparing new for old. Nissan 370Z (I meant that one in my old post :) ) is 28,000GBP Lotus Elise S (0-60 in 5.8seconds) is 25,712GBP BMW 520d is 28,165GBP Ford wants 27,575GBP for the RS. That's heck of a lot of money for a hot hatch if u ask me.
I meant here in the states. I can't see many people paying $30+k for one when Ford's own Mustang V8 doesn't cost that much. And let's not forget, Americans are not big fans of hatchbacks in general. Myself on the other hand, I love hot hatches, and the Focus RS is arguably the best out there.
I absolutely agree that ford should bring its euro cars to america. From what i understand the focus we have in the US is 3 or 4 generations behind the euro version. I would love to see a awd 6spd. diesel turbo focus with a bullet proof drive line. just considering the kinda performance that the diesel truck guys achieve.
@highflyer4 Turbo lag on RS is so small that you can't even tell it's there. The start is perfect as you always rev it a bit... That's 5.9 seconds were talking about here, that's hardly a bad start...
it looks like amazing car, but all thoses haters out there, how dont u know if it is a good car until drive it. don't based your skeptism on the company but truely if the car handles good or bad, these reviwers are proving the public that the car is fast,handles well and all around a great car to drive. hopefully they will realeased to the public in the us by 2012 when the new focus line is realeased :)
You driven one of these? I think you'll find it a lot easier to drive each day than an Evo. And possibly the STI too. Until I've driven all of 'em, I'd not comment on which is better... too many factors to take into account.
fwd? that's so weird.. you'd think they'd just use the same front wheel setup an just add a center an rear diff for the extra handling? looks sweet. im expecting the new impreza coupe to be somewhat similar with a turbo vent on the bonnet
Why not compare it to the 135i? Similar power, close price (at least in Germany) About the show, I agree ... nothing beats a personal testdrive ... best way to see if it works for you (no matter how much magazines and shows you watch/read)
@sandwichrecipe that depends on the driver though a bad driver can get a 0-60 time of 10 secs in that car if they launch at 5500 rpm and let it spin all through 2nd gear on street tires.
i've just checked power laps in wiki. m3 - 1:31.8 rs - 1:32.2 so it isn't a second it is just 0.4 isn't it? but the thing is that i've seen every single tg episode and i don't remember them testing e46 m3. csl yes, but not the standart one. and it's the stig who tested these cars that is also counts. the black one was slow so it is irrelevant to compare power laps if they were done by different stigs.
Just to let you know Focus sedans and wagons for the North American market have always been made in america, only the ZX3 and ZX5 were made in Mexico. As of now all Focus production for the North American market is in America.
Sure it is. Add in AWD and the price tag would push it into EVO and STI territory where it'd have a hard time surviving. Probably wouldn't. If you are used to AWD I'm sure it's a regression... but for the price tag it's unbeatable at present, FWD and all...
The Focus RS is the best car in its category but in this video I think is just a bit unfair that they compare it with the BMW 135i, wich is a Premium car, but considering that both engines (T5 an TT6) produces almost the same power (301 HP and 306 HP respectively) now I think that both cars are under the same circunstances, by the way the Lanver EVO X is a good car but I don't like 4-doors sedan.
It makes me regret for having bought a car last year cuz the RS is my sort of car. The 135 is a Cayman hunter, actually it's faster on a track, but it's a GT car. If you want the real sports car, then the Ford is the one. It's production is limited so I don't think you'll ever see it there but here it costs 35k euros which is a reasonable price. Unless you import is yourself ;) It's a mad car, only for the hardcore drivers :)
Listen to that engine. Sounds like a V10. Ford made a great choice deciding to put a 5 cylinder engine in it rather than the normal 4 cylinder in those types of cars.
@Molo9000 Yes but for some people the RS is a special car and they are willing to spend £25k on one. In any case you are comparing new for old... which is not fair.
The Focus is a real sports car? I'm not sure I agree with that. It's probably the best hot hatch on the market, but a sports car needs rear-wheel drive (or at least rear-biased awd).
@lukaszzu3 I agree. I watched the 2010 Mustang GT (not the shelby) do 0-60 in 4.7 and it has 315 hp, and weighs more than the focus. You'd think that focus would pull it off quicker.
@Molo9000 I wouldn't say that the styling is 'ghastly' It's different. I think you either like it or not, it's one of those cars. Personally I feel the Evo has become blander over the years, a bit too 'normal' looking.
@antuk15 Lotus has 7 Formula 1 world championships. The Focus RS is a great car but at the end of the day it's a front wheel drive hot hatchback. I just don't see the point of a super fast hot hatch if it costs the same as a big executive car or a proper sports car.
@lukaszzu3 This is because it is front wheel drive. It's extremely difficult to get under 6 seconds with front wheel drive even with lots more power. In gear acceleration of the RS would easily rival a caymen S.
They're all great, but if i could have one, i think i'd have to go for the beemer, cuz it's softer, more comfy, and RWD which means DRIFT, LOL, but all great, it's about personal choice and what you need the car for...
Ford needs to get its crap together, and bring this car over to the states. There's a market for good performing, sport compact cars. Just look at the Civic Si, Mazdaspeed 3, the Sentra Spec-V and VW GTI. (granted, the reviewers did compare the car to an EVO and a 1-series)
Dude, comparing the GT-R to an Focus RS is bonkers! 480hp against 300hp. As they tell us in the test, with 300hp and alot of help it still torquesteers a bit. I think we are at least 10 years from a 480hp FWD car that won't torquesteer too much (and it will be a Ford I bet!)
in a word: "theatrical" haha. the RS is a really neat car but give me the 135i any day .. day-to-day it is great and still plenty fun in the twisty roads
Thats not the point here. The point here is that the E46 M3 has a 131bhp more and it only managed 1 second? Most would've of thought that the Focus would have been left behind by atleast 3 seconds. You must admit though, it is impressive for a front wheel drive car to come close to a M3.
This is what i think, the Bmw is to much for me, the evo looks like a piece of tupperwear. I like the Focus rs the most. The Looks of it, looks like a rally car but the road model is still yet front wheel drive don't know does it make a bigger difference. ford in europe have had trough the years a significant racing history. This is truly a great european hot hatch no doubt about it.
@s8tank-well, I handed back my (brand new £28000) 320i to BMW after 1 1/2 years of faults and dissatisfaction. I thought I was buying a sports car when I bought it. I was WRONG! the ONLY BMW"s worth buying are MTech ones. i.e M3,M5. I am now going to buy a Focus RS because it will be fun, economical, reliable, fast, great looking. I am paying cash for it. I dont need a BMW to say "im a high earner" as I know I am. I want a nice car, not a P.O.S Sorry!
but if its only 3 grand more why not save up and have a car with a legacy like the sti and evo? the focus is great for what it is and its cooll to see ford doing such things but i'd stick to the tried and true.
Ah I see, well, I don't think there will be much RS in the US ... they are limited anyway so maybe some will come for few people ... And usually the price in the US is different. Even in Europe not all interested will have the chance to buy one ... in Greece 94 pieces are going, and will be sold on auction. Means people will make offer, have to bid over the normal price, the rest of the money is going to the SOS Children villages. Since only 94 pieces, they made the sells interesting.
Here's where the Mitsu Microwave is going to sweat even more.. the Ford is doing this with only the front wheels. Going to take a little guess.. that means you probably aren't going to stop every 5 minutes for gas like in the Evo. Maybe I'm wrong but probably not.
an AWD Focus is not the pricerange Ford is looking for, simple as that. the way things are going now, it would probably end up more expensive than an Evo or an STI, do you really wanna buy an AWD 4 banger Ford thats more expensive than those two?
The styling on the RS makes sense (fast Fords always sort of looked like that), but it's still ghastly. I'd feel better driving around in the Evo. (that's saying a lot) What gets me about these cars is the price. The Ford is considerably cheaper than the other 2 but it's still within 10% of a BMW 5series for fucks sake. U can buy a Nissan 350Z or a Lotus Elise for that kind of money. If it was my money, I'd take the sports car. Who needs rear seats and a hatchback anyway? ;)
Being inovative > Being a copycat/wannabe. But on the other hand, Ford dominates world rally championships together with Citroen. No Subaru or Mitsu anymore.
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
drivin this beast a few days ago.. its sick.. even had wheel spin in 3rd
Definitly one of the best hot hatches. Presentrs are good, but I´ll love to see it in Top Gear.
all good cars in their own right, i never really liked fwd , but the rs looks like a keeper.
That Ford looks amazing.
I'd have the BMW in a second. Best engine (TT straight 6), best layout (RWD), best interior, best looks (no stupid vents or spoilers), and best badge. I'd love to see the Focus RS come to the states, but if they price anywhere near the 1-series, Ford will have a tough time moving them.
yeah i've watched that yesterday. both ford and m3 were tested by black stig btw.
That focus RS is kickass car. My fav european ford..
go for it mate, im only 20 and have a crappy job but i can afford to own one!
@2007TypeR
I wasn't comparing new for old.
Nissan 370Z (I meant that one in my old post :) ) is 28,000GBP
Lotus Elise S (0-60 in 5.8seconds) is 25,712GBP
BMW 520d is 28,165GBP
Ford wants 27,575GBP for the RS. That's heck of a lot of money for a hot hatch if u ask me.
I meant here in the states. I can't see many people paying $30+k for one when Ford's own Mustang V8 doesn't cost that much. And let's not forget, Americans are not big fans of hatchbacks in general. Myself on the other hand, I love hot hatches, and the Focus RS is arguably the best out there.
I absolutely agree that ford should bring its euro cars to america. From what i understand the focus we have in the US is 3 or 4 generations behind the euro version. I would love to see a awd 6spd. diesel turbo focus with a bullet proof drive line. just considering the kinda performance that the diesel truck guys achieve.
@highflyer4 Turbo lag on RS is so small that you can't even tell it's there. The start is perfect as you always rev it a bit... That's 5.9 seconds were talking about here, that's hardly a bad start...
I tottaly agree, it's all about personal preference of drive type
Great segment!
it looks like amazing car, but all thoses haters out there, how dont u know if it is a good car until drive it. don't based your skeptism on the company but truely if the car handles good or bad, these reviwers are proving the public that the car is fast,handles well and all around a great car to drive. hopefully they will realeased to the public in the us by 2012 when the new focus line is realeased :)
RS looks the nicest sounds amazin love ma ST but want one a these more fun for everyday driving,
that rs is the hottest hatch ever without a doubt, if it came to australia i would sell my kidneys for one
You driven one of these? I think you'll find it a lot easier to drive each day than an Evo. And possibly the STI too. Until I've driven all of 'em, I'd not comment on which is better... too many factors to take into account.
fwd? that's so weird.. you'd think they'd just use the same front wheel setup an just add a center an rear diff for the extra handling? looks sweet. im expecting the new impreza coupe to be somewhat similar with a turbo vent on the bonnet
Why not compare it to the 135i? Similar power, close price (at least in Germany) About the show, I agree ... nothing beats a personal testdrive ... best way to see if it works for you (no matter how much magazines and shows you watch/read)
Only 1 generation actually. US Focus is based on a platform of the previous European Focus as long as you don't consider hot hatch versions.
nice review, really enjoyed it
@Swidhelm also since the turbo has lag it wont have much hp in the low range, so the top speed will be good but the start wont be.
@sandwichrecipe that depends on the driver though a bad driver can get a 0-60 time of 10 secs in that car if they launch at 5500 rpm and let it spin all through 2nd gear on street tires.
i've just checked power laps in wiki.
m3 - 1:31.8
rs - 1:32.2
so it isn't a second it is just 0.4 isn't it? but the thing is that i've seen every single tg episode and i don't remember them testing e46 m3. csl yes, but not the standart one. and it's the stig who tested these cars that is also counts. the black one was slow so it is irrelevant to compare power laps if they were done by different stigs.
when is the new season going to be out?
@OnTheLimits Agreed BMW is sweet. However, It seems that it runs a little hot with those turbos and some people have run into issues.
Yee Weaver! Evo FTW and the RS would definitely look better in white =P
good to see some decent reviewers,(british)
nice one
Just to let you know Focus sedans and wagons for the North American market have always been made in america, only the ZX3 and ZX5 were made in Mexico.
As of now all Focus production for the North American market is in America.
one of the only fords I find attractive...
the equivalent for the focus st here in mexico
5 cyl turbo ...
great envy from the US
@6136jordan
Half a second over the quarter mile I believe is considerably faster. It sounds cool and is a UK favorite, that is why it won.
Sure it is. Add in AWD and the price tag would push it into EVO and STI territory where it'd have a hard time surviving. Probably wouldn't. If you are used to AWD I'm sure it's a regression... but for the price tag it's unbeatable at present, FWD and all...
The Focus RS is the best car in its category but in this video I think is just a bit unfair that they compare it with the BMW 135i, wich is a Premium car, but considering that both engines (T5 an TT6) produces almost the same power (301 HP and 306 HP respectively) now I think that both cars are under the same circunstances, by the way the Lanver EVO X is a good car but I don't like 4-doors sedan.
do you know S3 and TTS &RS???
licence plate K RS 3696??? How come is the same car tested by 5th Gear?
It makes me regret for having bought a car last year cuz the RS is my sort of car. The 135 is a Cayman hunter, actually it's faster on a track, but it's a GT car. If you want the real sports car, then the Ford is the one. It's production is limited so I don't think you'll ever see it there but here it costs 35k euros which is a reasonable price. Unless you import is yourself ;) It's a mad car, only for the hardcore drivers :)
Listen to that engine. Sounds like a V10.
Ford made a great choice deciding to put a 5 cylinder engine in it rather than the normal 4 cylinder in those types of cars.
@Molo9000 Yes but for some people the RS is a special car and they are willing to spend £25k on one. In any case you are comparing new for old... which is not fair.
yh but they are so common and this stands out ,look at that bodykit it is very menacing and if this did come it would be very limited
@sandwichrecipe yes the 99 mustang gt is look it up on motor trend, or just google 99 mustang gT specs lol.
i wish they had that rs here in north america.
RS POWER!
Hi, I need Paint Code for this RS Colour (hulk green).....PLEASE HELP!!!!
The Focus is a real sports car? I'm not sure I agree with that. It's probably the best hot hatch on the market, but a sports car needs rear-wheel drive (or at least rear-biased awd).
Is it wrong to be in love with this car?
there´s Rs Focus in Argentina?
@lukaszzu3 I agree. I watched the 2010 Mustang GT (not the shelby) do 0-60 in 4.7 and it has 315 hp, and weighs more than the focus. You'd think that focus would pull it off quicker.
Sweet. They tested the M3 along side the Audi RS4.
it keeps you honest...
@Molo9000
I wouldn't say that the styling is 'ghastly' It's different. I think you either like it or not, it's one of those cars. Personally I feel the Evo has become blander over the years, a bit too 'normal' looking.
in my book the Focus is way way better than the other two. but i am a hardcore Ford nut :)
RS THE BEST!!!!
@antuk15
Lotus has 7 Formula 1 world championships.
The Focus RS is a great car but at the end of the day it's a front wheel drive hot hatchback. I just don't see the point of a super fast hot hatch if it costs the same as a big executive car or a proper sports car.
RS is 🙂Great car
you are so right man.
@newbrand1 yeah i wonder how much more it will cost, alot im thinking
@lukaszzu3 This is because it is front wheel drive. It's extremely difficult to get under 6 seconds with front wheel drive even with lots more power. In gear acceleration of the RS would easily rival a caymen S.
It's not on RUclips.
Ford will have a tough time moving them? They are almost all sold ...
They're all great, but if i could have one, i think i'd have to go for the beemer, cuz it's softer, more comfy, and RWD which means DRIFT, LOL, but all great, it's about personal choice and what you need the car for...
am inlove with the focus when i get money i going buy da car
Ford needs to get its crap together, and bring this car over to the states. There's a market for good performing, sport compact cars. Just look at the Civic Si, Mazdaspeed 3, the Sentra Spec-V and VW GTI. (granted, the reviewers did compare the car to an EVO and a 1-series)
oh my friend got the NA focus, this european on looks a lot better though
@highflyer4 Yeah that's a good point. I never considered that.
Dude, comparing the GT-R to an Focus RS is bonkers! 480hp against 300hp. As they tell us in the test, with 300hp and alot of help it still torquesteers a bit. I think we are at least 10 years from a 480hp FWD car that won't torquesteer too much (and it will be a Ford I bet!)
Well that makes two of us.
yea i agree they should of thrown the sti in their instead of the bmw 135i
@Daumex But thats slower then a 99 mustang gt that only has 265 hp, it was rated as 0-60 in 5.4 secs.
RS the best
in a word: "theatrical" haha. the RS is a really neat car but give me the 135i any day .. day-to-day it is great and still plenty fun in the twisty roads
my goal when i 21 is to own a ford focus rs
Recuerden que cada país tiene su forma de conducir y por lo tanto deberíamos ser Iguales bajo las estadísticas d cada operador
BMW not offering an lsd as a standard option for their 335i and 135i should be a crime
Thats not the point here. The point here is that the E46 M3 has a 131bhp more and it only managed 1 second? Most would've of thought that the Focus would have been left behind by atleast 3 seconds.
You must admit though, it is impressive for a front wheel drive car to come close to a M3.
Just as Renault Megane R26.R featured on Top Gear.
@dgripsofficial because its an inline 5
This is what i think, the Bmw is to much for me, the evo looks like a piece of tupperwear. I like the Focus rs the most. The Looks of it, looks like a rally car but the road model is still yet front wheel drive don't know does it make a bigger difference. ford in europe have had trough the years a significant racing history. This is truly a great european hot hatch no doubt about it.
All are winners in my books but..........if I could choose only one the Evo would be my choice then BMW then Focus.
@s8tank-well, I handed back my (brand new £28000) 320i to BMW after 1 1/2 years of faults and dissatisfaction. I thought I was buying a sports car when I bought it. I was WRONG! the ONLY BMW"s worth buying are MTech ones. i.e M3,M5. I am now going to buy a Focus RS because it will be fun, economical, reliable, fast, great looking. I am paying cash for it. I dont need a BMW to say "im a high earner" as I know I am. I want a nice car, not a P.O.S Sorry!
GUYS, stuff the bmw and the evo, ford has responded by an even faster and more powerful focus rs 500
yea lol my friend got a brand new 2009 focus and i think that's hideous but this rally version looks sick
ford rules!!!
you're so right...
but if its only 3 grand more why not save up and have a car with a legacy like the sti and evo? the focus is great for what it is and its cooll to see ford doing such things but i'd stick to the tried and true.
I highly doubt that...sti and the evo are pretty much similar..so it wouldnt make a big diffrence..
the best car won
Ah I see, well, I don't think there will be much RS in the US ... they are limited anyway so maybe some will come for few people ... And usually the price in the US is different. Even in Europe not all interested will have the chance to buy one ... in Greece 94 pieces are going, and will be sold on auction. Means people will make offer, have to bid over the normal price, the rest of the money is going to the SOS Children villages. Since only 94 pieces, they made the sells interesting.
@dgripsofficial because it's an inline 5
obviously they dont really see much of a market in the US for the RS.
@ripperuL maybe because the car is a rental car
Here's where the Mitsu Microwave is going to sweat even more.. the Ford is doing this with only the front wheels. Going to take a little guess.. that means you probably aren't going to stop every 5 minutes for gas like in the Evo. Maybe I'm wrong but probably not.
focus rs FTW =)
an AWD Focus is not the pricerange Ford is looking for, simple as that. the way things are going now, it would probably end up more expensive than an Evo or an STI, do you really wanna buy an AWD 4 banger Ford thats more expensive than those two?
I'd take the 135 anyday.
it doesn't come in black.
blue, white and green are the only colors for now!
I love the Ford RS, but i wouldn't go for green.
The styling on the RS makes sense (fast Fords always sort of looked like that), but it's still ghastly. I'd feel better driving around in the Evo. (that's saying a lot)
What gets me about these cars is the price.
The Ford is considerably cheaper than the other 2 but it's still within 10% of a BMW 5series for fucks sake. U can buy a Nissan 350Z or a Lotus Elise for that kind of money.
If it was my money, I'd take the sports car. Who needs rear seats and a hatchback anyway? ;)
Being inovative > Being a copycat/wannabe.
But on the other hand, Ford dominates world rally championships together with Citroen. No Subaru or Mitsu anymore.