PDA

View Full Version : New Focus RS - What do you think?


Kerry_T-5R
03-05-2009, 01:17 PM
Got this e-mail from quaife a few days ago about the Focus RS. The article is obviously mainly about the diff, but what does everyone think of the car? 301 bhp Volvo engine, Quaife diff and Revoknuckle front suspension and already a bit of Nurburgring success!

************************************************** ************************************************** **************************

Every one a Quaife - Ford's new Focus RS showcases the benefits of the ATB differential

February 26th 2009

Quaife Engineering is delighted to announce that Ford's new 301bhp Focus RS comes equipped with the company's automatic torque biasing differential as standard equipment.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff190/t4kerry/09FocusRS_7490a_750_x_500.jpg

Having supplied 4500 ATB differentials for the Mk1 Focus RS, the seeds for the two year project were planted in 2005 when Quaife supplied ATB units for three Nurburgring 24 hour class winning Focus ST race cars which were prepared and entered by Team RS staff.
This initial success, combined with the popularity of the helical gear automatic torque biasing differential in heavily tuned aftermarket Focus ST's to make the Quaife unit a natural choice for the 8,000 unit program.Quaife's ATB differentials are a fit and forget direct swap for the original factory ‘open' unit, require no servicing or special oils and come complete with a lifetime warranty - even for motorsport use.


They are 100% British made using Corus steel billets and then CNC machined using the latest robotic machinery. They are then hand assembled and rigorously inspected, as you'd expect from a company that's attained the internationally recognised TS16469 Quality standard.
Indeed such is the strength of the Quaife ATB that the original Focus ST production unit has required remarkably little redesign for the Focus RS application. The main changes required were adding an extra planetary pinion into the ATB unit, allowing for larger, stronger driveshafts to be fitted to the RS model.
Commenting on the project Quaife Engineering Director Michael Quaife said “We've enjoyed an ongoing dialogue with Ford and we're very pleased with the end results as they were a particularly good team to work with. Quaife has long been associated with the Ford brand and we're delighted that this is set to continue.”
“Naturally we're pleased that the initial press reviews of the car seem to be overwhelming positive. Even with 301bhp and 320lb.ft of torque being pushed through the front wheels the combination of the Quaife ATB differential and Ford's patented Revoknuckle front suspension is highly effective,” Quaife remarks.

But don't take our word for it, we'll leave it to the specialist motoring press to highlight the traction advantages a Quaife ATB differential can give your car!

“Even on a rough or wet surface the car takes off without drama, feeling for all the world as if it is four, not two-wheel drive…. You even wonder whether they're fibbing about how many wheels are being driven.”
Steve Sutcliffe, Autocar http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Ford-Focus-2.5-RS/238343/ (http://www.quaife.co.uk/collector/track.cfm?serial=GSqIGYxgVr3gWod0glCE&me_id=95&link=http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Ford-Focus-2.5-RS/238343/)
“Apply the power when cornering and it's clear the technology really works. Where the Focus ST would push wide, the RS grips and goes with the efficiency of a true supercar.”
Chris Thorp, Auto Express http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/234174/ford_focus_rs.html (http://www.quaife.co.uk/collector/track.cfm?serial=GSqIGYxgVr3gWod0glCE&me_id=95&link=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/234174/ford_focus_rs.html)
“You can accelerate on a bumpy road and not fire straight into the nearest tree. And here's the big news: it's better than all current four-wheel-drive systems in go-fast hatchbacks. It seems to chew at the road and extract the maximum grip from every inch of asphalt.”
Sunday Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/in_the_showroom/article5772860.ece (http://www.quaife.co.uk/collector/track.cfm?serial=GSqIGYxgVr3gWod0glCE&me_id=95&link=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/in_the_showroom/article5772860.ece)
Quaife Engineering's range of helical gear limited slip automatic (http://www.quaife.co.uk/collector/track.cfm?serial=GSqIGYxgVr3gWod0glCE&me_id=95&link=http://www.quaife-differentials.com) torque biaising differentials covers car marques from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, so whether you're a trackday user, a fast road customer or a hardcore motorsport entrant, why not trade up to the Quaife traction advantage today?

lambo-lude
03-05-2009, 03:20 PM
needs to be driven ...i volenteer !!!
looks nicer than prev models

AndysR
03-05-2009, 07:34 PM
What do I think of the Focus RS mk2?

When the Volvo is long in the tooth my next car may very possibly be a Ford! ;)

Kerry_T-5R
03-05-2009, 07:45 PM
What do I think of the Focus RS mk2?

When the Volvo is long in the tooth my next car may very possibly be a Ford! ;)

It is a cross between a Volvo and a Ford anyway!

AndysR
03-05-2009, 07:56 PM
It is a cross between a Volvo and a Ford anyway!


I was going to say the best of both worlds but I bet it still suffers with Ford's inherant rot problems. But I am all up for the engine provided they have modified the block used in the ST as they suffer with cracked liners and I can't be doing with that sort of worry everytime I drive it! :(

Only time will tell which is why I shall be sticking with the Volvo for a bit. I still say the first of the T5 generation engines is the best! :cool:

Plus the S60R is slightly quicker than the RS with the same 300bhp but then it is 4WD!

macca
03-05-2009, 10:40 PM
The RS isn't 4-wheel drive if that's what you mean Andy? Ford shied away from the R+D costs of doing that and it's once again front wheel drive. Big shame for the RS IMO..

I think it looks nice, very mean. Be interesting to see what it drives like on the roads..

Kerry_T-5R
03-06-2009, 08:46 AM
The RS isn't 4-wheel drive if that's what you mean Andy? Ford shied away from the R+D costs of doing that and it's once again front wheel drive. Big shame for the RS IMO..

I think it looks nice, very mean. Be interesting to see what it drives like on the roads..

Im not sure they did with this one though because they tested a 4WD and a RWD when they were developing the car but the FWD put the power down better and suited the revonuckle suspension. At the end of the day I suppose it is a just a more powerful ST. It wouldnt be an option for ST owners to just chip their cars to have the same performance, as a simple stage 1 re-map will more likely than not just crack the liners!

macca
03-06-2009, 03:52 PM
They tested it but decided is was too costly to put in to production. You have to remember the car market is falling on it's arse at the moment so they're doing everything they can to cut cost.

And yes it is just a more powerful ST with slightly better handling and a big price permium.

AndysR
03-06-2009, 10:39 PM
The RS isn't 4-wheel drive if that's what you mean Andy? Ford shied away from the R+D costs of doing that and it's once again front wheel drive. Big shame for the RS IMO..

I think it looks nice, very mean. Be interesting to see what it drives like on the roads..

No I mean the Volvo is 4wd which might account for the quicker 0-60 dash of the Volvo ;)

RT Mechanics ltd
03-07-2009, 08:03 AM
But I am all up for the engine provided they have modified the block used in the ST as they suffer with cracked liners and I can't be doing with that sort of worry everytime I drive it! :(


I would advise anyone who has ordered the green colour to re think as in the flesh it looks very strange,the blue is :p
I wonder if they have changed the liner design otherwise there will be not much tuning you can do :innocent:

Russ

AndysR
03-07-2009, 11:51 AM
I would advise anyone who has ordered the green colour to re think as in the flesh it looks very strange,the blue is :p
I wonder if they have changed the liner design otherwise there will be not much tuning you can do :innocent:

Russ


Green certainly wouldn't be my first choice regardless of the fact I haven't seen it in the flesh, White or Blue for me please :d

stealthtuning
08-01-2009, 11:33 PM
i think its bloody awful! obviously im a vw man but i still keep an open mind. i think it looks better in the pre production photos than in the flesh. ive seen a few going around and in my opinion that shape focus is allready dated and boring, and the dark blue colour they do it in is an apalling colour! doesnt do anything for what is essentially a boy racers dream powered by a brilliantly engineered and finely tuned engine, which lets face it, the target market of this car a few years down the line will know nothing about, they will be more interested in the stupidly oversized spoiler or the cardboard stick on arches!!!!!!! safe to say im not a big fan! ford only really got it right on the really old models, capris, mk1 escort rs mexico, mk2 rs 2000, mk1 fiesta xr2, mk1 and 2 cortinas and then the few special ones they did like the legendary rs500 and the escort cossie.:no:

Kerry_T-5R
08-11-2009, 12:58 PM
I do agree its not the best looker.. I do quite like it though