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14/09/2011, 01:44
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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Boy racers are these days about as politically correct as rugby league brawls, racism and sexism. Yet, there is something addictive about a brutal hot hatch like Ford’s Focus RS. The RS has been in Australia since late last year with just a few hundred available. Most have sold and there are only a handful left. It is, without doubt - in the current climate of speed laws and anti-hooning legislation - at the upper end of politically incorrect.
At $59,990, plus on road costs, Ford Focus RS is also pushing the envelope for a front wheel drive hot hatch. The same dollars will get you a Subaru WRX STi AWD. Yet, there is something about the Focus RS that seems to put it into a different league. The fact that the Ford engineers mastered the worst of the torque steer through technology called RevoKnuckle places the car in a world of its own. Running 440 Nm through the front wheels is usually a recipe for causing damage to the car and roadside foliage. Not so the RS.
The Focus is no pussy cat. Hit the right pedal hard and perhaps a scalded cat is a more appropriate type of feline description. There is still some torque steer evident, but it is to some extent self-equalling and responds immediately to driver input. Perhaps the biggest issue is that the engine revs so quickly to 7000 rpm - and it only comes with a six speed manual shifter - that you can be caught with one hand on the steering wheel while the other changes cogs. This means one thing: you need to have your wits about you. It is, however, quite drivable as an urban commuter with a timid right boot.
BODY STYLE
Hot hatches tend to be ‘out there’ and Ford have not hid the Focus RS’s light under a bushel. It is probably the most stunning example of a hot hatch/sedan in the current crop including WRX, Mitsubishi Evo and Renault’s Megane 250. Our test car came in arctic white and with a few colourful advertising stickers added few would suspect it was not a WRC car. One look and you know it is not a pretender. In fact the RS was inspired by Ford’s WRC success. Wide wheel arches, rocker mouldings and vents, twin panels of bonnet louvres tell part of the story as do 19-inch, 15-spoke alloy wheels.
POWERTRAIN/PERFORMANCE
Focus RS defies all opposition in that to have 440 Nm of torque on tap normally requires splitting the torque four ways: all wheel drive. Our personal preference would be to have torque delivered to all four wheels, but Ford decided to stick with front wheel drive. This necessitated the development of the RevoKnuckle to get control of torque steer, which is an uneven torque force applied to the front wheels usually as part of hard acceleration, on rough surfaces or when cornering. Traditionally manufacturers have put high-torque front wheel drive systems in the too hard basket and simply opted for all wheel drive. However, technology developed to put large torque diesel engines into FWD cars led to further development by Ford of the system aimed at the high-performance Focus RS leading to the now patented RevoKnuckle system. Ford Australia play down the car’s performance but the figure of 5.9 seconds for the 0- 100 km/h sprint have been mentioned. We believe it is probably quicker than that. Low fives would not surprise. The Focus RS runs a Volvo-sourced five cylinder engine fitted with a substantial turbo charger. It red lines at 7050 rpm with peak power hit at 6500 rpm and maintaining that until 7050 rpm. There is no flat spot at the high end.
SAFETY
Substantial get-up-and-go requires superior stopping ability and the Focus RS has 336mm x 30 mm ventilated discs up front gripped by 60 mm single piston callipers, backed up 302 mm x 11 mm rear discs. In addition the car has tandem brake boosters and high-friction brake materials used. Stopping from 100 km/h is achieved in 34.8 metres. Focus has the usual suite of the latest technology systems including stability control, ABS with EBD. The stability control gives the driver and car some latitude with later intervention and shorter intervention, meaning the car is ideal for track days. The stability control can be de-activated for track days, but Ford testing at Nurburgring has shown with or without stability control activated the car laps at similar times.
INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY
The interior makes it clear Ford placed the majority of its Focus RS emphasis on the suspension, RevoKnuckle and engine development ahead of a luxury finish or mod cons like cruise control or satellite navigation. The interior is workman-like but hardly what you expect from a $60,000 car. The Recaro sport seats are super-supportive which also means they have large bolsters to get over before you slip down into the seat. Given the sporty nature of the car that is part of the compromise and a position you appreciate when pushing the car hard around corners.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
This is where the wow factor kicks in and we are not just talking straight-line speed. The Focus RS handles like it is on rails. It may not be smooth, but Ford have really got this chassis sorted. The steering is razor sharp and the car turns in beautifully. Hammer into a tight corner and flatten the right pedal on exit and the RS responds as well as any car - if not better than most - in this segment. To drive the Focus RS enthusiastically means the driver’s pew is a busy place. This is a car that demands respect. We like it ... a lot.
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: standard
Air Conditioning: standard
Automatic Transmission: N/A
CD Player: standard
Central Locking: standard
Dual Front Airbags: standard
Front Side Curtain Airbags: front and rear
Stability Control: standard
Traction Control: standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.5 litres
Configuration: in line
Head Design: DOHC 20 valves
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 83.0 mm x 93.2 mm
Maximum Power: 224 kW @ 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 440 Nm @ 2300 - 4500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: front
Manual Transmission: 6 speed
Automatic Transmission: N/A
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4402 mm
Wheelbase: 2640 mm
Width: 1842 mm
Height: 1497 mm
Turning Circle: 12.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1492 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 62 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: McPherson struts/coil springs/gas dampers
Rear Suspension: Control blade/coil springs/gas dampers
Front Brakes: ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: ventilated discs
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.9 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Premium unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 10.4 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ 100,000 km
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