2016 Ford Focus RS: This Is It
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Joined: February 3, 2004
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2016 Ford Focus RS: This Is It
http://jalopnik.com/2016-ford-focus-...-it-1683404018
Was hoping for specs! Guess we will have to wait a few more hours . . .
There's no word on whether it will be front- or all-wheel drive, but EVO is talking about a torque-vectoring AWD system and a 0-60 time in the sub-5 second range. It almost assuredly will be packing a variant of the 2.3-liter inline four currently used in the Mustang EcoBoost, but output is still undisclosed and likely well over 300 HP.
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If you want to watch the live event it's at 7:45 am eastern www.gofurtherlive.com
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Joined: February 3, 2004
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 73
http://jalopnik.com/2016-ford-focus-...-ha-1683323602
The "normal" Focus ST is one of the best hot hatches around, coming to the table with a 2.0-liter turbo four with 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Focus RS ups the ante with a 2.3-liter turbo four, sourced from the Mustang EcoBoost, with 'at least' 320 horsepower and 'at least' 320 pound-feet of torque. Yeah, that'll do.
What'll do even more is that the power is linked to a six speed MANUAL gearbox. A gearbox where you can select your own gear. This is wonderful, grand, delightful, excellent news.
Yes, the bestial, machine gun-like five-cylinder engine is good. It will be missed. But the 2.3-liter four is the future of small-displacement EcoBoost power, and it should be great.
Ford also announced the new RS has the one performance feature that hoons have been begging for the most: all-wheel drive. The last RS was front-wheel drive but largely free of crippling torque steer thanks to its RevoKnuckle differential, but the new one will go full rally-grade with proper four-wheel power. And that's really where it should be these days.
And it's not your regular dumb all-wheel drive. The Focus RS has torque vectoring all-wheel drive and can send up to 100 percent of available power to one wheel. It monitors conditions between the front and rear continuously in order to establish where all that power goes. As expected, that AWD system (which was not totally expected), is paired with a revised and upgraded suspension with stiffer springs, sway bars, and adjustable dampers. It has electric power steering, but Ford promises "excellent feet." 1
We'll see.
What'll do even more is that the power is linked to a six speed MANUAL gearbox. A gearbox where you can select your own gear. This is wonderful, grand, delightful, excellent news.
Yes, the bestial, machine gun-like five-cylinder engine is good. It will be missed. But the 2.3-liter four is the future of small-displacement EcoBoost power, and it should be great.
Ford also announced the new RS has the one performance feature that hoons have been begging for the most: all-wheel drive. The last RS was front-wheel drive but largely free of crippling torque steer thanks to its RevoKnuckle differential, but the new one will go full rally-grade with proper four-wheel power. And that's really where it should be these days.
And it's not your regular dumb all-wheel drive. The Focus RS has torque vectoring all-wheel drive and can send up to 100 percent of available power to one wheel. It monitors conditions between the front and rear continuously in order to establish where all that power goes. As expected, that AWD system (which was not totally expected), is paired with a revised and upgraded suspension with stiffer springs, sway bars, and adjustable dampers. It has electric power steering, but Ford promises "excellent feet." 1
We'll see.
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Joined: April 16, 2014
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Ken Block drives the new 2016 Ford Focus RS
from the article:
If you're a carmaker that has a good relationship with Ken Block, and then you decide to bring out a 320-horsepower, all-wheel-drive version of one of your hatchbacks, the only obvious choice is to have Mr. Block take it out and thrash it around the inside of the factory where the beast is built.
10 pictures and videos in the gallery
.
from the article:
If you're a carmaker that has a good relationship with Ken Block, and then you decide to bring out a 320-horsepower, all-wheel-drive version of one of your hatchbacks, the only obvious choice is to have Mr. Block take it out and thrash it around the inside of the factory where the beast is built.
10 pictures and videos in the gallery
.
Cobra Member
Joined: February 12, 2010
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From: MA (north shore)
I need a small pickup truck, though. Perhaps that could make me want the RS less.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
If only Ford made the Explorer Sport Trac still. That is the perfect vehicle for me. They're so hard to find with a V8 and 4wd though. Nearly impossible, unless they have a million miles.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: April 30, 2014
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I heard they were super dangerous. Also didn't even know they made a V8 version.
A Man Just Needs Some....
Joined: April 9, 2011
Posts: 17,125
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From: Louisiana
They are hard to find but I still see them around. You looking for a truck, gotta start shopping down south or Texas.