Ford Focus ST vs. Volkswagen GTI vs. Mazdaspeed3 - Comparison Test
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Ford Focus ST vs. Volkswagen GTI vs. Mazdaspeed3 - Comparison Test
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...s.-mazdaspeed3
This is a battle of the hardcore, turbocharged compromises. But over three days of blasting through southern Ohio in late summer, they never felt like halfmeasures or flabby pretenders. There’s hero in their souls, even if their sheet metal is blisteringly ordinary and there are baby-seat tethers in back. They made rushing through cornfields feel like a gallop through the Alps.
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Serbian Steamer
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From: Wisconsin / Serbia
My boss has a fully loaded Mazda 3 (not Speed, just a regular hatchback).
And sure its fun to drive, but its very uncomfortable and interior is really cheap.
Focus ST is probably the best hot hatch in the USA right now.
And sure its fun to drive, but its very uncomfortable and interior is really cheap.
Focus ST is probably the best hot hatch in the USA right now.
Looks like Ford is knocking another one out of the park. I'd love to see the ST with a decent DCT implementation as good as that available on the GTi. The one available on the lower-ticket Focii seems rather lackluster at best.
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From: MA (north shore)
Originally Posted by rhumb
Looks like Ford is knocking another one out of the park. I'd love to see the ST with a decent DCT implementation as good as that available on the GTi. The one available on the lower-ticket Focii seems rather lackluster at best.
That's what I thought. A shame as I've driven a couple of Audi/VW cars with their DSG and loved it, and this is coming from an old dedicated stick-wriggler.
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From: MA (north shore)
Originally Posted by rhumb
That's what I thought. A shame as I've driven a couple of Audi/VW cars with their DSG and loved it, and this is coming from an old dedicated stick-wriggler.
But I don't see a DCT in these types of cars for a while. MS3, WRX and I assume, ST, sell fine without them. So why spend the money on it?
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I'm a huge GTI fanboy, but the Focus ST looks like it's the new king of the hot hatch hill. It's nice to finally see Ford bring their talent for making fast small cars over from Europe. If only they'd build something along the lines of a modern sierra/escort cosworth again.
They're awesome transmissions. Not without their problems though. The DSG in my dads 07 GTI was very quick. It did have slight throttle lag. Perhaps the lag helps the clutches last longer. I've always wanted to drive a automated single clutch transmission because they're faster shifting and tend to be harsher. But theyre only in decently expensive sports cars like lambo and LFA.
But I don't see a DCT in these types of cars for a while. MS3, WRX and I assume, ST, sell fine without them. So why spend the money on it?
But I don't see a DCT in these types of cars for a while. MS3, WRX and I assume, ST, sell fine without them. So why spend the money on it?
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From: MA (north shore)
Originally Posted by rhumb
I guess one advantage of DCTs is that their shifting response/characteristics are but a simple reflash away from perfection, whether factory update or aftermarket.
Especially when the aventador shifts in 50ms. Ridiculous.
If seen rumors of a 300+hp turbo four (2.3l ?) intended for perhaps both a Focus RS and a Mustang model (either supplementing or supplanting the V6 perhaps?). Not sure if an RS would be AWD as Ford seems bent on tweaking their FWDs to handle even 300+ -- and they seem to do pretty well at it from what I've read of the current/former Euro RSs.
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