1 year ago

Wads on Sportscars: Ford Focus RS MK II test drive

As I currently have a Ford Focus ST, I managed to wangle my way into the drivers seat of the new Ford Focus RS Mk. II the other day.

Due to the low numbers of unsold RS available in the UK I only managed to get an hour behind the wheel, but that was enough to do a quick review and comparison to the ST.

I'll start with the boring stuff, namely fit, finish and interior. Quality of materials in the new RS is pretty standard Ford issue - nothing struck me as being really nice in terms of look or feel, other than the figure hugging Recaro bucket seats. Interior controls are identical to the standard ST model and, as far as I could tell, the difference is limited to the seats (the ST has Recaros as well but not as fancy or supportive as in the RS).

So although the inside of the car is 95% Focus ST, the outside is pure RS so much so that the two cars couldn't be confused with one another

Exterior panel fit and paint quality seemed good, so no complaints there and its the exterior where the RS differentiates itself from its lesser brother the ST. The plain white colour of the car I tested does seem to suit the RS. I'm not usually a fan of white cars but there are enough glossy black features on the RS to make a nice contrast when viewed from a distance or up close. The most obvious of those black items being the rear World Rally style wing/spoiler, the front grill and splitter and the rear diffuser. Everything combines to offer up a very striking package that is sure to attract a lot of attention on the road.

So although the inside of the car is 95% Focus ST, the outside is pure RS so much so that the two cars couldn't be confused with one another. The final point to note about the exterior are the two oversized chrome exhausts that poke out from the shiny diffuser. I like them but suspect many will feel they are distinctly boy racer (or ricer for our US readers). In fact, before a forget and while talking about the contrast of black against white, the standard fit rear privacy glass makes the car look particularly mean - from outside the windows are so dark you can hardly see inside the car but from inside the tint doesn't seem that much different to the front glass (as shown on the seat picture looking out through the dark rear panel).

I remembered to shoot a quick video clip which is available in HD here.

Now for the good bits..... what was the RS like on the road?

The car starts with a nice grumble (you may be able to hear it in the clip) and settles to a low volume burble. From inside the car its a bit louder than the ST but nothing to write home about. The first thing I noticed when putting the car into gear was that the clutch felt slightly heavier and the gear action slightly more precise than my car. I'm not sure if this is because of actual differences or simply due to the cars newness.

"If you've ever seen a Porsche 997 GT3 driving over a slow bumpy road the RS tends to move in a similar manner bobbing up and down over any lumps"

With 1st gear engaged we set off towards my local test route. Heading down the slow local roads the firmness of the RSs suspension is very obvious. Although my ST is fitted with optional firmer and lowered Eibach springs, the RS is several notches stiffer. Every little bump or pothole can be felt and the car tends to jiggle along the road rather than glide.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing if you like a firm setup but it won't be to everyone's liking. If you've ever seen a Porsche 997 GT3 driving over a slow bumpy road the RS tends to move in a similar manner bobbing up and down over any lumps. Once onto some better roads I had the chance to stretch the cars legs - foot down in 2nd gear results in virtually no lag from the turbo 5 pot and very sudden shove from as low as 2000rpm. The wave of torque really pushes you back in your seat initially and gradually falls away as you approach the red line. Changing up results in a repeated slug of torque that sees you up to and past the legal speed limit.

"Many people struggle to accept that 305bhp can be properly deployed to the road in a front wheel drive car but with the RS on a straight dry road there was no sign of wheel spin or intervention from the traction control system"

Compared to my tuned ST (271bhp and 330ftlb from a simple ECU remap), the torque comes on more strongly and is sustained for longer in each gear. I'm not sure what boost the RS is running, but the ST peaks at 1.2Bar. Looking at the RS turbo gauge it is probably also maxing at 1.2 or maybe 1.3 Bar. Many people struggle to accept that 305bhp can be properly deployed to the road in a front wheel drive car but with the RS on a straight dry road there was no sign of wheel spin or intervention from the traction control system. The ST can spin its wheels in 4th gear in the wet but in the dry it does an equally impressive job considering it lacks the fancy RS RevoKnuckle suspension and Limited Slip Diff.

Although I didn't have the chance to test the RSs standing start acceleration I have no cause to doubt the claimed 0-62 time of 5.9, especially as the tuned ST has recorded a best 0-60 time of 5.7 (62mph in 5.9). In gear acceleration in the RS is equally entertaining - there is so much torque available that accelerative shove is there in any gear across most of the rev range. Although the RS has its torque limited in 1st and 2nd gear (correct me if I'm wrong), the reduction isn't very obvious in 2nd and, once into third gear, the fireworks really start.

The RS party piece is probably its ability to pull in 3rd gear from as low as 20mph through to 90ish without needing to change gear. The tuned ST has clocked up a best 30-70mph time in 3rd of 4.3 seconds and, again, the RS will easily match if not beat this in similar conditions (for the record 4.3 sec is 997 Carrera S quick). On the move there won't be too many cars out there to worry an RS within the legal limits. Although, admittedly, from a standstill or at license loosing speeds there will be plenty of cars that would better the RS in a straight line. The Mark I Focus RS came in for a lot of criticism for its tricky-to-handle torque steer and I have to admit I'd fallen for the Ford press info that said the RevoKnuckle/LSD had virtually removed this issue from the Mark II. But when accelerating hard, there is definitely still some signs of torque steer fed back through the steering wheel. Its not bad but a noticeable wiggling of the helm means it will be wise to keep both hands firmly on the wheel when pressing on.

"The whooshes and sighs from the larger capacity turbo are far more entertaining than the more restrained ST"

When applying full power the RS certainly makes some nice noises and should easily give the driver a feeling of what a rally car would sound like - the whooshes and sighs from the larger capacity turbo are far more entertaining than the more restrained ST. Stupidly, I managed to go the full time in the car without putting the windows down, so I can't report on the exhaust note on the move nor whether the noises get better with some wind in the hair.

On a straight run the RS would probably be quicker than a lightly tuned ST, but the margin wouldn't be embarrassing for the lesser vehicle. However, when you throw a few corners into the mix, the RS would pull out a clear distance. The RS steering is quick and accurate allowing you to position the car with minimal fuss and effort, likewise the feel and weighting of the helm seems a nice balance being neither under or over power assisted. Turn in is much better than my ST with virtually no understeer or accompanying body roll. The RS flows through a familiar series of corners with speed that the ST would struggle to match. Considering the front heavy weight bias, the RS controls understeer remarkably well - so much so that, unless driving like a loon, most users won't have trouble on the public road. On track things may be different but, probably, no less fun!

The overall balance and well controlled chassis quickly gives confidence to push harder and harder and, as long as you keep a firm grip on the wheel, the power and torque can be fully exploited whenever the opportunity presents itself. Final point to mention is the brakes. Being an accompanied test drive I didn't have the chance to feel the full stopping power but what I can say is that, compared to the ST, the initial bite is more immediate and stopping at seven tenths everything felt reassuringly good.

So was the RS a car I'd like to own?. Oh yes! Even after just an hour behind the wheel, the RS left me feeling very impressed and I seriously want one. When the ST goes to a new home in September, I will be very tempted to put my name down for a new RS... in white, please, Mr Ford!