Ford Focus RS500
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Serbian Steamer
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From: Wisconsin / Serbia
Ford Focus RS500
Teaser Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAZ54yXOD0c
On March 31 we're going to find out about a thing called the Ford Focus RS 500. It should be powered by 2.5L turbo I5 engine producing ~350 hp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAZ54yXOD0c
On March 31 we're going to find out about a thing called the Ford Focus RS 500. It should be powered by 2.5L turbo I5 engine producing ~350 hp.
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Serbian Steamer
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From: Wisconsin / Serbia
FR500 Member
Joined: August 15, 2005
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From: Honolulu
IMO, it would probably cost as much, if not more than a Mustang GT. IF Ford could cut the weight, give it a sophisticated AWD system and handling to match, could see this as a bonafide EVO/STI-killer. Those cars are about up there in price too. 
In any case, the footage reminded me of this game (which I barely remember)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RgIH...eature=related
In any case, the footage reminded me of this game (which I barely remember)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RgIH...eature=related
Bullitt Member
Joined: November 22, 2005
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From: Brea, CA
the vid, driver, and car = AWESOME!
cant wait till 3/31!! 
here's the website as well: http://www.focusrs500.com/
cant wait till 3/31!! here's the website as well: http://www.focusrs500.com/
Team Mustang Source
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From: NYC
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And to think, if there is a next gen version of this car it's likely going to be awd and on sale in this country.
A Ford guy in the year 2012.......'Yeah, the 680hp GT500 and the 385hp AWD Focus RS are my weekend toys, the 450hp Mustang GT is my everyday commuter'
A Ford guy in the year 2012.......'Yeah, the 680hp GT500 and the 385hp AWD Focus RS are my weekend toys, the 450hp Mustang GT is my everyday commuter'
I think it is misplaced to confuse the appeal of something like this with a Mustang and worry that:
A. It would cannibalize Mustang sales
B. Would be too expensive
C. Americans either wouldn't "get it" or want it.
My retorts:
A. Let it cannibalize Mustang sales then, if that's what buyers want more than a Mustang. The money all goes into Ford's piggy bank in the end anyways, so why not give the buyers what they want to buy rather than what Ford wants them to buy.
B. The MS3, WRX, STI and EVO have shown a market for 250-300+hp FWD/AWD performance cars. Some STI and EVO models are pushing close to the $40K mark.
C. See retort to item B. above. More than enough Americans do "get it" when it comes to performance cars that can do more than cheap quarter mile spurts and are willing to pay to get the full performance envelope these FWD/AWD wondercars offer.
The Stang's a great car in its milieu, but not everyone wants to cruise the boulevards, stoplight race or potter about smooth, straight roads. These cars do great scrabbling around back roads, fire roads and no roads and excel in this, their milieu. I think the domestic product planners are a bit too hidebound and myopic in their view of what Americans would buy.
Unless I'm wrong and Americans themselves are rather hidebound and myopic in what they will buy.
A. It would cannibalize Mustang sales
B. Would be too expensive
C. Americans either wouldn't "get it" or want it.
My retorts:
A. Let it cannibalize Mustang sales then, if that's what buyers want more than a Mustang. The money all goes into Ford's piggy bank in the end anyways, so why not give the buyers what they want to buy rather than what Ford wants them to buy.
B. The MS3, WRX, STI and EVO have shown a market for 250-300+hp FWD/AWD performance cars. Some STI and EVO models are pushing close to the $40K mark.
C. See retort to item B. above. More than enough Americans do "get it" when it comes to performance cars that can do more than cheap quarter mile spurts and are willing to pay to get the full performance envelope these FWD/AWD wondercars offer.
The Stang's a great car in its milieu, but not everyone wants to cruise the boulevards, stoplight race or potter about smooth, straight roads. These cars do great scrabbling around back roads, fire roads and no roads and excel in this, their milieu. I think the domestic product planners are a bit too hidebound and myopic in their view of what Americans would buy.
Unless I'm wrong and Americans themselves are rather hidebound and myopic in what they will buy.
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Serbian Steamer
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Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 12,636
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From: Wisconsin / Serbia
I think it is misplaced to confuse the appeal of something like this with a Mustang and worry that:
A. It would cannibalize Mustang sales
B. Would be too expensive
C. Americans either wouldn't "get it" or want it.
My retorts:
A. Let it cannibalize Mustang sales then, if that's what buyers want more than a Mustang. The money all goes into Ford's piggy bank in the end anyways, so why not give the buyers what they want to buy rather than what Ford wants them to buy.
B. The MS3, WRX, STI and EVO have shown a market for 250-300+hp FWD/AWD performance cars. Some STI and EVO models are pushing close to the $40K mark.
C. See retort to item B. above. More than enough Americans do "get it" when it comes to performance cars that can do more than cheap quarter mile spurts and are willing to pay to get the full performance envelope these FWD/AWD wondercars offer.
The Stang's a great car in its milieu, but not everyone wants to cruise the boulevards, stoplight race or potter about smooth, straight roads. These cars do great scrabbling around back roads, fire roads and no roads and excel in this, their milieu. I think the domestic product planners are a bit too hidebound and myopic in their view of what Americans would buy.
Unless I'm wrong and Americans themselves are rather hidebound and myopic in what they will buy.
A. It would cannibalize Mustang sales
B. Would be too expensive
C. Americans either wouldn't "get it" or want it.
My retorts:
A. Let it cannibalize Mustang sales then, if that's what buyers want more than a Mustang. The money all goes into Ford's piggy bank in the end anyways, so why not give the buyers what they want to buy rather than what Ford wants them to buy.
B. The MS3, WRX, STI and EVO have shown a market for 250-300+hp FWD/AWD performance cars. Some STI and EVO models are pushing close to the $40K mark.
C. See retort to item B. above. More than enough Americans do "get it" when it comes to performance cars that can do more than cheap quarter mile spurts and are willing to pay to get the full performance envelope these FWD/AWD wondercars offer.
The Stang's a great car in its milieu, but not everyone wants to cruise the boulevards, stoplight race or potter about smooth, straight roads. These cars do great scrabbling around back roads, fire roads and no roads and excel in this, their milieu. I think the domestic product planners are a bit too hidebound and myopic in their view of what Americans would buy.
Unless I'm wrong and Americans themselves are rather hidebound and myopic in what they will buy.
I wouldn't expect for Ford to sell all 500 of them in the USA, but limited edition of 20 or so would be ok.
Last edited by Zastava_101; Mar 29, 2010 at 08:11 PM.
