Focus RS500 Revealed

Standard Toaster

http://www.focusrs500.com/

http://www.skiddmark.com/ford-focus-rs500-is-revealed/

Standard Toaster

Love that colour

Only 3 going to our fair island

corktina

hubba hubba

I so want it :cool:

Lex Luthor

Very nice...colour is great

any idea of prices here? (not that I could ever afford one)

cpoh1

Colour is great and the seats are awesome looking otherwise just as with the standard RS im very underwhelmed.

I saw a snot green one in the flesh last week for the first time in Ireland and first time since driving one in the uk last year and it really did nothing for me. I though the RS was cheap looking back then in the flesh and i still do.

robtri

look ****e to be honest........

stupid spoiler .... nope dont like it at all


longing for the days of the cossies...... and failing terribly at it

pburns

If Ford were really serious they'd produce it in 4wd like the Escort Cossie. This is just for little boys who like the scoops and slats and go faster stripes. Chavmobile.

.Longshanks.

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Very nice...colour is great

any idea of prices here? (not that I could ever afford one)

Read somewhere that its £35 stg in the uk. 101 going there

And you still dont get all the options - blanked off switch gear...?

bijapos

pburns wrote: »

If Ford were really serious they'd produce it in 4wd like the Escort Cossie.

Absolutley.

In fairness there have been huge advances in car technology since the Escort Cosworth but its not the same.

My biggest gripe would be the name, the original Sierra RS500 was worthy of the name, this seems to be trying to evoke memories of old instead of giving it a different name and identity.

Still, would love to drive one.

Matt Simis

With heavy torque limiting in 1-3rd (thank you FWD), I wonder if it actually feels any faster than remapped STs and the like.
Its surely the highest BHP FWD car now?

Dont be at yourself

Don't like the side-view of it. The back and the spoiler ruin it.

cpoh1

bijapos wrote: »

Absolutley.

In fairness there have been huge advances in car technology since the Escort Cosworth but its not the same.

My biggest gripe would be the name, the original Sierra RS500 was worthy of the name, this seems to be trying to evoke memories of old instead of giving it a different name and identity.

Still, would love to drive one.

Ford is all about marketing these days and who can blame them. Iconic cars like the escort cossie and rs500 sierra are wet dreams to lads in their early 30's and ford are using their past heritage to sell a car that isint fit to lace the boots of its predeccors. The RS is popular because it was marketed well and the british motoring media see the RS as one of their own for some reason and have bigged it up to the hilt. They were the same with the lotus evora giving it car of the year.

Give me an old escort cossie over a focus rs any day of the week, much more road presence without the in your face styling.

Theta

Can anyone answer a stupid question for me? Why are the rear windows blacked out?

Looks like a commercial with a dodgy spoiler to me!

Seperate

Matt Simis wrote: »

With heavy torque limiting in 1-3rd (thank you FWD), I wonder if it actually feels any faster than remapped STs and the like.
Its surely the highest BHP FWD car now?

I had one in a few weeks ago, the owner brought me for a spin. It was a damp day, not raining at the time, but it had been lashing for about 20mins earlier on in the day.

It had absolutely no problem putting down the power. Very little, if any, wheelspin. My brother has a mapped S3 that's about 235-240ish... the RS felt like it would leave that for dust.

My car wheel spins when the turbo spools in 3rd gear if it's damp sometimes

Henry Ford III

Privacy glass - standard on many Focii.

I think it's a mean moody dramatic looking car that'll go very fast, and will be a collectors item.

No 4wd - yep. Because it's cheaper, lighter, and no slower than Evos etc. On normal roads it's a lot quicker actually.

RS500 is just a name for a limited run vehicle. Sierra RS500 was no more powerful than the ordinary Cosworth (it did have some different parts and 4 extra injectors which were not plumbed in). No big deal.

The next generation Focus is where it's at though. This RS500 is a parting wave by a run out model.

walshkvn

love it ... might even change my mind about fords.

corktina

D@mn y0u F0rds, k3yb04rd dr00l cr1s1s @g@1n

Mr.David

It does look cool but it seems a bit of a marketing ploy - what do you get apart from a bit more power (you could just get it chipped anyway) and a bodykit?

No brakes or suspension upgrades.

I'd wait for a more extreme version of the Renaultsport Megane myself.:)

conneem-TT

For a special performance model it is not that different from the regular RS to demand the premium. It should have been stripped out like the Megane R26 or something to make it more attractive.

The regular RS is now facing stiff competition in a crowded FWD hot hatch segment from the likes of the Scirocco R and Megane RS, especially here since all it competitors are in a lower tax band. Recent comparison tests by SportAuto and AMS in Germany showed it to be no quicker in a straight line than the others and both ranked them as follows.

1. Scirocco R
2. Leon Cupra
3. Megane RS
4. Focus RS
5. Mazda 3 MPS

There was a real opportunity for Ford if they made it AWD because the most recent Imprezza's and Evo's are a step back on the rawness of previous models IMO.

Henry Ford III

As I said it's a collectable. A limited run with fancy paintwork and unique trim. A wee bit more engine power too.

It'll sell in a hurry and will retain it's value too.

It doesn't need 4wd to get it's power and torque down. Wasn't long ago that many said 200bhp was the maximum for a fwd setup. Flat earth thinking. The outgoing Focus is a heavy car and the 5 pot engine is a weighty lump too. That limits it's outright speed.

The next model Focus will be an altogether different beast though.

Alanstrainor

I actually really like it, the colour is awesome.

cpoh1

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Privacy glass - standard on many Focii.

I think it's a mean moody dramatic looking car that'll go very fast, and will be a collectors item.

No 4wd - yep. Because it's cheaper, lighter, and no slower than Evos etc. On normal roads it's a lot quicker actually.

RS500 is just a name for a limited run vehicle. Sierra RS500 was no more powerful than the ordinary Cosworth (it did have some different parts and 4 extra injectors which were not plumbed in). No big deal.

The next generation Focus is where it's at though. This RS500 is a parting wave by a run out model.

I couldnt disagree more about the evo comment Henry, especially on back roads or anything other than a track. This is where the revo knuckle and 300bhp to the front wheels really let the rs down when i drove it. Hit any kind of blemish on the road and it will wheel hop and spin. On a nice smooth surface it will get the power down no problem, i didnt drive it in the damp. My mate who had the lend of one from the garage was about to trade up from an evo 9 but went for an R35 GTR instead after driving it.

I really cant see the RS being a collectors item in the future either but thats genuinely just my opinion, this car doesnt doesnt appeal to enthusiasts the same way a cossie or sierra did back in the day, fwd no matter what spin ford put on it put paid to that. I would put the RS right up there with the M3 as a bit of a yuppie mobile to the majority who can afford one from new.

Vertakill

It doesn't do anything for me, looks-wise. People complain about Japanese cars looking too garish and over the top but this just takes the pi55.

Admittedly, I think the interior looks lovely.

I'd imagine having that much power through the front wheels would be a constant struggle on back roads and probably very costly on tyre replacements.

I don't know why anyone, who was given a choice, would choose this over the other slightly dubiously designed car in this category - WRX STi.

The Subaru would have my vote every time. Hell, I'd get an 08' WRX STi and, with the money left over, have it sprayed that matte black that people have been doting over in this thread.


Also, In my opinion, I reeeally don't see how this will be a serious collector's item.

Henry Ford III

You can provoke a powerful rwd or 4wd car too if you try. Apply too much power in a turn and you'll get tail out action or a powerslide. Dramatic but not fast.

Same logic applies here. I've driven a new Focus RS and a decent driver with a feel for what's going on can make very rapid progress on normal roads. If it's smoking tyres and bunny hopping the front wheels that's req'd by all means do that but you'd be missing the point.

p.s. The last model Focus RS was horrendous, and that had way less power.

ianobrien

Henry Ford III wrote: »

You can provoke a powerful rwd or 4wd car too if you try. Apply too much power in a turn and you'll get tail out action or a powerslide. Dramatic but not fast.

Same logic applies here. I've driven a new Focus RS and a decent driver with a feel for what's going on can make very rapid progress on normal roads. If it's smoking tyres and bunny hopping the front wheels that's req'd by all means do that but you'd be missing the point.

p.s. The last model Focus RS was horrendous, and that had way less power.

I'd have to agree with you there. Most people now just mash the throttle to the floor and rely on traction control and modern tyres to keep traction. A more gentle driving style is needed. Having driven the last Focus RS, very rapid progress could be made on country roads by braking BEFORE the corner, turn in on gentle throttle and feed in the power while going around the corner. Mashing the throttle mid corner resulted in the diff dragging you across the road and a brown pants. Lifting off the throttle mid corner was the worst thing to do (resulting in lots of brown pants oversteer) and if the corner was bumpy, a slight left foot brake would settle the car

Mc Love

I want one!!

Hal1

I'd sell my right one for an RS as I don't need it to drive :pac:.

Erren Music

pburns wrote: »

If Ford were really serious they'd produce it in 4wd like the Escort Cossie. This is just for little boys who like the scoops and slats and go faster stripes. Chavmobile.

A female friend of mine about 8 years ago had the Escort cossie uprated to over 330bhp. It has to be 4wd. Top gear did a programme on the vauxhall and the torque steer issues will kill a novice.

JJJJNR

If your in for one why not get a proper cosworth.

stezie

Cant wait till mines is delivered!! Have been waiting for one for ages!!!




April fool Well If it was 4WD id def have one. Im sure its good handling but front wheel drive cant be any where near as much fun as a 4wd setup??

Lovely looking motor right enough...

Piratez

Im not a Ford fan but I do like that very nice

Standard Toaster

The site has been updated with video of 'the beast'

http://www.focusrs500.com/focusRs500PressKit.htm

Standard Toaster

JJJJNR wrote: »

If your in for one why not get a proper cosworth.

Yeap!

COSWORTH IMPREZA WILL HAVE SUPERCAR-HUMBLING PACE. The result of one of the most eagerly anticipated automotive collaborations in recent times is heading fast towards Subaru dealerships. The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 officially goes on sale in June, and is set to offer performance-car fans the thrill of a lifetime. Subaru has confirmed the car will boast an impressive 400PS (395bhp) at 5,750rpm, sufficient to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.7 seconds (compared to 300PS / 296bhp at 6,000rpm,and 5.2 seconds for the standard Impreza WRX STI). This ensures the Cosworth-tuned car will be one of the most accelerative all-wheel-drive hatchbacks ever. Subaru also reports that the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 will feature a bespoke brake package – with six-pot callipers and 355mm discs at the front – developed in partnership with AP Racing, giving the car prodigious stopping power. Coventry-based AP Racing is a leading supplier of brake and clutch components to teams in the Formula One Championship and the World Rally Championship, as well as to leading supercar brands including Bugatti. A wide range of further upgrades have been made to the suspension, exhaust and to the donor Impreza’s exterior and interior styling. An exclusive, limited edition run of 75 Cosworth Impreza STI CS400s will be produced, and full details of pricing and technical specification will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

http://www.cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/subaru-impreza-cosworth-supercar/34235

Vertakill

JJJJNR wrote: »

If your in for one why not get a proper cosworth.

Yeah was just reading about this.

It sounds like some animal alright!

The name could do with a bit of work but the specs are insane.

UhOh

JJJJNR wrote: »

If your in for one why not get a proper cosworth.

not that any of them will reach Ireland but if they did I'm sure you'd be talking 75-85,000 euro for the Impreza Cosworth, a different league to the RS500.

I didnt like the RS500 when I saw a sideshot of a test mule someone had taken a few weeks back but I think it's a savage lookin yolk havin seen all the pics released this week.
I've heard 2 of the 3 have already sold. I'm trying to get the last one...

af_thefragile

It'ld be much better 4WD or RWD.

Ford needs to get rid of its obsession with troque steer!!

mondeo

Another front wheel drive RS....I want 4WD

TestTransmission

Some pics of the Cosworth Impreza

Standard Toaster

New wallpaper!

If only I had the monies (€58,300)

UhOh

Standard Toaster wrote: »

If only I had the monies (€58,300)

thats for a standard STI.....The Cosworth STI is 50,000 STERLING!!! Anyone paying for one here would surely be talking 90-100k

mondeo wrote: »

Another front wheel drive RS....I want 4WD

why? Were you going to buy one if it was 4WD?

Standard Toaster

UhOh wrote: »

thats for a standard STI.....The Cosworth STI is 50,000 STERLING!!! Anyone paying for one here would surely be talking 90-100k

I got the price from this article but I'd well believe it costing far, far more alright

Vegeta

TestTransmission wrote: »

Some pics of the Cosworth Impreza

Looks like current Honda Civic from windscreen back in that shot

Mc Love

Has anyone seen the amount of RS500's for sale on Autotrader - there are loads!

ando

Visually it does nothing for me at all. I'd love to drive one but tbh it looks really bad imo. Very boy racerish. Its the kind of thing only a youngfella could pull off driving, but only men going through a mid life crises will ever be able to afford one of these, which will look a bit funny tbh. The only Focus RS I liked the look of was the original RS Focus, it had so much road presence but still was a bit of a sleeper



Every RS since then looks to have sharp edges... (best way I can describe it), not smooth looking, trying too hard, not my cup of tea! The latest RS and RS500 look ridiculous imo, massive wings and spoiler on the back.. wtf ?? Ford, I respect the power but do something about your styling department

Mc Love

Mc Love wrote: »

Has anyone seen the amount of RS500's for sale on Autotrader - there are loads!

Are they holding their value :pac:

Vicxas

Very pretty