In our minds the new Ford Focus RS can’t arrive soon enough. Thus, we spoke with the product specialists at the Ford booth while at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) to learn more details about Ford’s high-performance hatchback. After its official unveiling in Germany this past February we already know that all four wheels will be driven by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine and be some fierce competition with rivals Subaru WRX STI and VW Golf R.
We also know that the RS will crank out an excess of 315 horsepower and distribute that power through an advance dynamic torque vectoring system. No flappy-paddle automatic transmission here. The only choice for changing gears will be a 6-speed manual, but the driver will have the choice of 4 different mode settings to suit his or her needs: normal, sport, track, and drift.
The drift mode disables the electronic stability control and adjusts the dampers and other 5 parts of the drive mode listed below. Drift mode also comes with a warning label and should only be engaged for track use only.
As mentioned above: the driver mode button controls 7 things that open up the AWD rally racer to more fun on the road or dirt:
engine
exhaust
brakes
twinster – dual-clutch rear differential
steering
transmission
dampers
Under normal driving conditions in a straight line without any excessive demands for traction, the all-wheel-drive setup sends 100 percent of the available power to the front axle. When slip is detected or if there is steering input, up to 70 percent of the available power can be sent rearward. From there, it can be split evenly between each rear wheel, or, in extreme cases, the system’s brain can instruct the rear-axle torque-vectoring mechanism’s two clutches (aka twinster) to direct 100 percent of the rear-axle torque to a single rear wheel.
Brakes will be supplied by Brembo and are also under the control of the driver mode settings. Working primarily on the front axle, the car’s brain can brake the inside wheel(s) when entering and leaving a corner to induce a yaw event—otherwise known as understeer mitigation.
As an option, 19-inch wheels mounted with 235/35-19 ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are available.
Available color options: Nitrous Blue, Stealth Gray, Absolute Black, Frozen White. Nitrous Blue — pictured in the photographs — will be unique to the RS. Its special 4-step painting process can only be applied by Ford’s factory in Europe.
According to Ford, the U.S. spec model will be identical to the European version excluding homologation and safety equipment. Expected delivery to U.S. dealerships will be in the spring of 2016 as 2017 model. It is built in Saarlouis, Germany, so European customers will get it first.
In our minds the new Ford Focus RS can’t arrive soon enough. Thus, we spoke with the product specialists at the Ford booth while at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) to learn more details about Ford’s high-performance hatchback. After its official unveiling in Germany this past February we already know that all four wheels will be driven by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine and be some fierce competition with rivals Subaru WRX STI and VW Golf R.
We also know that the RS will crank out an excess of 315 horsepower and distribute that power through an advance dynamic torque vectoring system. No flappy-paddle automatic transmission here. The only choice for changing gears will be a 6-speed manual, but the driver will have the choice of 4 different mode settings to suit his or her needs: normal, sport, track, and drift.
The drift mode disables the electronic stability control and adjusts the dampers and other 5 parts of the drive mode listed below. Drift mode also comes with a warning label and should only be engaged for track use only.
As mentioned above: the driver mode button controls 7 things that open up the AWD rally racer to more fun on the road or dirt:
engine
exhaust
brakes
twinster – dual-clutch rear differential
steering
transmission
dampers
Under normal driving conditions in a straight line without any excessive demands for traction, the all-wheel-drive setup sends 100 percent of the available power to the front axle. When slip is detected or if there is steering input, up to 70 percent of the available power can be sent rearward. From there, it can be split evenly between each rear wheel, or, in extreme cases, the system’s brain can instruct the rear-axle torque-vectoring mechanism’s two clutches (aka twinster) to direct 100 percent of the rear-axle torque to a single rear wheel.
Brakes will be supplied by Brembo and are also under the control of the driver mode settings. Working primarily on the front axle, the car’s brain can brake the inside wheel(s) when entering and leaving a corner to induce a yaw event—otherwise known as understeer mitigation.
As an option, 19-inch wheels mounted with 235/35-19 ultra-sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are available.
Available color options: Nitrous Blue, Stealth Gray, Absolute Black, Frozen White. Nitrous Blue — pictured in the photographs — will be unique to the RS. Its special 4-step painting process can only be applied by Ford’s factory in Europe.
According to Ford, the U.S. spec model will be identical to the European version excluding homologation and safety equipment. Expected delivery to U.S. dealerships will be in the spring of 2016 as 2017 model. It is built in Saarlouis, Germany, so European customers will get it first.
