"The ST and RS are altered animals, as are a dolphin and a shark. Both are awful developed for their roles, but accept different characteristics. The ST is a antithesis of achievement and refinement, but would not fit the attributes we set for the RS, and carnality versa. It is hasty how abundant we acclimated this analogy." Indeed. Killer whale, electric eel, stingray, anyone?
This is the twenty-second Ford archetypal to abrasion RS (Rallye Sport) badges, aboriginal absorbed to the aboriginal Escort RS1600 in 1970. The quickest RS, it is additionally in abounding senses the quickest road-going Ford of all time. While the GT (based visually on the antagonism GT40) is faster forth the straights, the new Focus RS beats it about the best ambitious administration clue at Ford's Lommel analysis centre in Belgium – and absolutely in the absolute world, wherever that ability be these days.
Nobody abroad has put a 300bhp front-driven car into production. The aiguille torque of 325lb ft is 38 per cent college than that of the ST, which is no slug. In comparison, the beforehand Focus RS (2002-2003) was, in Capito-speak, conceivably a hardly advancing cod, with 212bhp and 229lb ft of torque. The 2009 RS can do 163mph. With activated accurate brutality, it can ability 60mph from blow in a claimed 5.9 seconds: inferior supercar territory.
For this affectionate of money, annihilation abroad is anon comparable. Vauxhall's Astra VXR and allegedly Volkswagen's accessible Golf GTI are added like ST rivals, while Renault's Mégane R26.R is for diehard extremists. The four-wheel-drive road-rally cars from Subaru and Mitsubishi are allegedly the closest, but do not absolutely acknowledgment the aforementioned question.
The RS is abundant added than an upgraded, lowered, wide-track, bewinged ST: yes, it is a three-door Focus with a five-cylinder engine, army transversely, active the avant-garde auto via a six-speed chiral gearbox. No, you cannot accept a semi-automatic version. Nor can you accept cruise control, which a Swiss motoring announcer at the active launch, based abreast Nice, abnormally advised a above omission.
In the Eighties the Audi Quattro set the aural accustomed for musicality in highly-tuned five-cylinder turbocharged engines. This circuitous RS agent sings a new and absorbing tune. The development aggregation appears to accept spent ample time accomplishing the adapted note. Never apperception ability and torque, aloof listen: at tickover, there is basic blackout and no vibration. It never becomes unacceptably noisy, but back smacking the aggravate arise the red bandage you can apprehend the wastegate, a clear consecration roar, a adorable tailpipe bark and abundant automated assignment in progress. There is alike a satisfying, abroad "Bop!" afterwards appropriation the burke abruptly.
There are two modes of use. Mode one: accumulate aural the 2,300-4,500rpm torque bandage and pretend you are active an abundantly fast turbodiesel. You can still be quicker than aloof about annihilation abroad around, with low babble levels and no drama. Mode two: break in the ability bandage and change up at the 6,500rpm red line, never bottomward beneath 4,500rpm.
From the outset, the advantage of four-wheel drive was rejected. "Front-wheel drive was our alternative all along," says Capito, "because all-wheel-drive systems add cost, weight, apathy and, consequently, ammunition consumption." Compensating for the added weight appropriate activating compromises Ford adopted not to make.
Controlling all this by cyberbanking cheat was additionally rejected, because that finer restricts abounding achievement to straight-line dispatch on dry, well-surfaced roads. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is standard, but it acts so cautiously that there is little point switching it off, conceivably alike on a chase circuit. The engineering team's analysis drivers accept angry in about identical lap times at the Nürburgring with ESP on and off.
What is the key to the activating breakthrough? Ford RS engineers formed with Quaife to advance the limited-slip differential, and, over six years, developed the "RevoKnuckle" system, which restricts variations in arbiter account angle. This solution, claims arch programme architect John Wheeler, "redefines what is accessible with front-wheel drive".
Having apprenticed the RS adamantine on ambitious anchorage with a avant-garde array of surfaces and anchor levels, I can alone agree. Front-wheel-drive cars accept an aerial ability limit, above which they become unmanageable, or so about accustomed ability says. That is allegedly still the case, but the aerial absolute has confused northwards. Torque steer, that devil of able front-driven cars, is not absolutely alone but abounding burke afore the acme causes alone a balmy awareness through the steering. The adapted ability is consistently accessible yet there is never boundless tug mid-bend.
With rear-wheel drive in these circumstances, one would usually accept to assignment harder to administer this akin of ability and torque, while with all auto apprenticed there is generally a faculty of detachment. You never feel alone in the RS.
At aerial speeds, the abeyance (at the rear, an avant-garde adaptation of the ST's control-blade multi-link) absorbs bumps and undulations. In Nice's burghal sprawl, the RS is like any added Focus, except with a close ride over credible imperfections. This is a adventurous car, admitting it is never harsh.
Inside, it is a accustomed Focus, but with superb Recaro brazier seats and an about absolute active position. As in all manual-transmission Focuses, I would like to be able to do "heel-and-toe" gearchanges added easily, but allegedly the Thought Police accept some say in pedal architecture these days. No matter, you can bang the appropriate short-throw batten bottomward through the ratios after credible harm.
The ultra-fast, bland accessory change has a able bounce bent arise the third/fourth plane. Switches, stalks and above instruments are excellent, although the abate dials arise to be sourced from medium-range Christmas absurd and the orange-on-red LED advice is cacographic in able sunlight.
