Ahead of its arrival at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, the 2016 Ford Focus RS’ horsepower figures were officially revealed.
Ford says the hot hatch’s “specially engineered 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine” is good for 345 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque to all four corners. The turbo-four shares the basics with the all-aluminum mill found on the Mustang, with upgrades including: a “low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor”; “less restrictive intake design” for more breathing capability; larger intercooler and radiator for increased cooling; high-temp-resistant cylinder heads and high-tensile cast iron cylinder liners; and “a large-bore high performance exhaust system with an electronically controlled valve in the tailpipe that helps optimise the balance of back pressure and noise output.”
Other features linked to the powertrain include Ford’s Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring system, launch control, and a handful of driving modes, including an “industry-first” drift mode so one can drift in Formula D without first yanking out the front differential.
This is much more exciting news than the bland Cruze redesign. This car looks like the kind that would beat up a Cruze and steal it’s lunch money, then take a piss on it for good measure.
Ford is bringing this 345hp Focus to Australia, it will need something to attract the very picky local Audience to their products
Me likey…very much!
So, basically everything is bigger and stronger. Makes sense if you want to squeeze 345hp out of a 2.3L.
It’s no Evo FQ, but it does its part.
Still, I would worry about the longevity of that mill —
“The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long – and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy. Look at you: you’re the Prodigal Son; you’re quite a prize!”
Love the Blade Runner reference but I wouldn’t worry too much about the engine. I’m sure the same thing was said when 5.0L V8 started pushing more than 200 horsepower.
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Death watches and bailouts off the shoulder of Orion. Oil changes near the Tannhauser Gate.
So… did you beat that Accounting fellow’s EVO with your precious Focus…?
No… there were men.
Men…? Police… MEN?
(Stealth edit.)
I am very certain this is going to conquest sales from Honda, Toyota, and Subaru.
This is a very appealing product. Very.
Now,
Just wrap it in a mid size sedan with professional looks and maybe throw in a 8 DCT and/or auto.
I would be very interested.
Look out Golf R. If they removed two doors I would be very interested.
How does “drift mode” work? Automatically over powers one rear wheel to force a slide? How many of these will wrapped around trees by newbies?
Will Ford offer ‘Stang owners these upgraded parts? Guess it doesn’t matter as the aftermarket will for sure.
AFAIK the Golf R is only offered in the US as a four door. If you wanted an AWD hot hatch it looks like this generation only has four doors to offer. With the WRX/STI limited to a sedan this go-round, the Focus RS might be king of the mountain (and I say that as a VW lover/apologizer).
> Look out Golf R.
Just an APR Stage-I ECU upgrade on the new Golf R brings it up to 354 hp and 379 ft-lbs of torque.
Oh, yeah. This thing in the Fusion with an 8 DCT? Now we’re talking.
So basically, you aren’t interested in this car.
You may want to check out the Audi S3, in that case.
They won’t bring this car to the US and in Europe the Astra will be fitted to compete with this car. Knocking a GM product for blandness while praising a comparable Focus that is almost an antique is ludicrous. GM owns Ford in the muscle car category and almost always has in this country. Their efforts with the Cruze and Verano will pay dividends in a few years. But your opinion is just as important as any other when it comes to putting your money where your mouth is. You will buy what you think is best for you and others will do likewise.
This then Golf R my fav. I hope there’s some color variety.
Any bets on which manufacturer is going to be the first to break trends and make a car that **doesn’t** look like it’s designed to eat small children?
Why would you want a wussy looking car?
There’s lots of room in between wussy and demented roid rage, which many performance cars today look like they have.
car’s have always looked like they eat small children
https://reposti.com/p/KC
What does it weigh?
345HP is enough to warrant AWD. Would like to drive and decide for myself how well the Dynamic Torque Vectoring works.
Drift mode? Groan. (I know, I know, now get offa my lawn!)
Around 3300 lbs.
Tack on that Ford OEM tuner with light warranty (cobb?) .. add 50-60 more hp and TQ …. win.
More power and less weight than my G37S coupe plus all wheel drive. I even like the color.
Maybe XCAR was right when they wrote about the era of the hyper-hatch.
Me gusta mucho.
Wonder how this compares to the Evo X.
Am I the only one or does this car remind anyone else of those Renault 5 turbos (from about thirty years ago)?
How much will this buggy cost? The Ford website just says “availability will be announced later this year”.
As for drift mode, glad they finally figured out that hooning is what we really want to do.
And will Ford warranty anything while using that mode?
Probably not. Same thing when using “line lock” on the Mustang.
“Electronic line-lock for 2015 Mustang GT is intended for use only on racetracks. Racing your vehicle will void your warranty.”
Expect it to start just below $40k (in other words, the same pricing as Golf R/WRX STi).
And the dealers will probably tack on $5-10k ADM for the first year or so.
Will they offer leases? (Fingers crossed…)
Yes, but only with the valet key (electronically limited to 100 horsepower).
It limits your 0-60 time into the middle of the econo car range. Faster than a Impreza, but slower than a Forte.
Great specs, terrible looks. Resembles an insect from “Rodan”.
I’m still waiting to see the price for a RHD one of these in Japan.
I’m anticipating heart-stopping sticker shock.
Yup yup yup yup. All the yups. I was excited with the rumored 320hp. I’m ecstatic with 345.
I gotta say, I’m coming around on it. I was down on the RS at first, but every time more info comes out, things look better.
Is your rust issue solved?
It has been yes. I got the car back a week and a half ago. Even better than that is I called and spoke to my Ford Regional Customer Care manager about all the trials and tribulations with my ST and asked if they would extend Ford Premium Care (a bumper to bumper warranty) through 5 years / 75k at no cost to me and they agreed.
With that very inexpensive (on Fords part) decision Ford has won a fan for life. That is customer service. Very impressed with FoMoCo beyond the product.