2016 Ford Focus RS leaked

[Kaido]

Is this really a leak? It is being announced today by Ford. I guess hours count :biggrin:

It's like Apple's stuff being leaked the day before the announcement :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Official:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/03/2016-ford-focus-rs-official/

Following yesterday's leak, the latest Ford Focus RS is now ready to step out into the light and light up its tires. Answering the call is the same 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four as you'd find in the new Mustang, but upgraded with a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger, larger compressor and intercooler, freer-flowing intake, large-bore dual-pipe exhaust with electronically controlled valve and upgraded internal components. The result is a 6,500-rpm redline (closer to that of Ford's atmospheric performance engines) and an output quoted as "well in excess of 315 horsepower" – which is already 5 more than the EcoBoost Mustang and a good 63 more than the existing Focus ST.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Lots of tech in this car. Awd, new ecoboost motor, etc.. also thinking closer to 40k.

 

[satyajitmenon]

it's a 320ish hp awd compact hatch marketed as a rally car - 40k is pretty not cheap.

ftfy

 

[Kaido]

Lots of tech in this car. Awd, new ecoboost motor, etc.. also thinking closer to 40k.

Yesterday's leak suggested a sub-$30k pricetag - if that's the case, they're going to sell a gazillion of these

 

[jlee]

40k is a lot to swallow for a focus, regardless of trim level.

The STi starts around 35k, and that's a glorified Impreza.

 

[Kaido]

Other than the huge black piece on the nose, I actually really like the design. It looks like a cross between an Impreza wagon & a previous-gen WRX (before they Corolla-fied it). Awesome to see more hot hatches like this come to the states :thumbsup:

 

[MagickMan]

Yesterday's leak suggested a sub-$30k pricetag - if that's the case, they're going to sell a gazillion of these

It's $37k + options, and they won't sell a gazillion because they're only making a few thousand each year.

The markups will be large on these, expect 20-30%, at least.

 

[Ferzerp]

I might buy one of these as a second car in a few years with the warranty is up on my current second car.

 

[Viper GTS]

A few thousand a year is not all that limited by performance car standards, is that really going to support markups like that after the first few months?

Let's hope there will be dealers in the midwest willing to sell them at MSRP, I'd road trip it home to avoid supporting markups.

Viper GTS

 

[Zivic]

It's $37k + options, and they won't sell a gazillion because they're only making a few thousand each year.

The markups will be large on these, expect 20-30%, at least.

where did you see the 37k?

 

[RichUK]

Impressive figures for what it is, but it's too 'look at me'.

 

[Accord99]

Is this brake based torque vectoring? I thought they were using a clutch based system on this car?

Yes, the description of it is essentially identical to SH-AWD which is active torque vectoring.

 

[Drako]

Yes, the description of it is essentially identical to SH-AWD which is active torque vectoring.

So it's not brake based then.

 

[Accord99]

So it's not brake based then.

I would agree, based on the information described, that it's not brake based. Here's a link to an article on how SH-AWD works:

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=264589&page_number=3

Note how SH-AWD also can send upto 70% of available torque to the rear axle, and then shift up to 100% of that rear torque to either wheel as needed.

 

[Atty]

My thoughts:

First, they are paying close attention to the steering "feel" for the electric system with specifically engineered pieces set up for steering feel. The move to electric in my mk7 GTI from my Mk6 GTIs non-electric is dissatisfying. I hope they can recreate the feel they have in the ST (unsure if its electric or not tbh in the Focus ST) because it was amazing. Even when comparing to cars high above its price range I still loved the feel of it.

Second, the seats. Oh the seats. The recaro "option", which should be mandatory, was amazing in the ST. I do hope the new ones are just as amazing and don't cost too much.

Finally, the ST had the worst interior I've ever driven in. Too many buttons and Microsoft Sync system isn't something I'd ever find myself desiring. I hope they simplify things and give us a clean straightforward interface. Ideally they would just use CarPlay. Hopefully the instrument panel looks better in debut than the press photos I saw from Evo.

Can't wait for pricing. When my GTI is due to retire I'll strongly consider the RS. The power and drivetrain sound like a segment winning combo.

 

[Viper GTS]

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/heres-how-the-focus-rs-awd-system-works-1683508180

Brakes on the front, clutch in the back?

Viper GTS

 

[tweakmonkey]

I love the interior on my Fiesta ST. Sure it's got some plastic, but the ergonomics are great and the Sync system is the best stereo/entertainment thing I've ever used. And it has heated Recaro seats. It was a lot cheaper than the Focus RS will probably be, but I dig the Fiesta so much I'd consider the Focus. Now if only we had a Fiesta RS!

 

[HitAnyKey]

Looks like a fun car to drive. Wonder if they will offer it up here in Canada, eh.

 

[Wuzup101]

It's $37k + options, and they won't sell a gazillion because they're only making a few thousand each year.

The markups will be large on these, expect 20-30%, at least.

You are WAY out of touch with pricing for what you think are "limited production" cars. A few thousand a year would put these in the realm of Fiesta ST / Focus ST sales. Some stupid people (or people in cali as their local dealers are nuts) will pay an ADM for one of these if they have to be the first person to have one (and are not willing to work and possibly buy out of state for a good deal). Just because a handful of people will pay 10k to be the first owners of something like a GT350 or one of these doesn't mean that's what they will sell for after they are in production for more than a few months. A few stupid people were paying ADMs on stingrays when the rest of us were getting them for at or just over invoice not too long ago. Only someone who doesn't know how to buy a car is going to pay an ADM on something like this. This is not the new ford GT.

I do expect them to be in line with Evo X and STI prices. I wouldn't be surprised with a price point of 35-37k with options pushing over 40k (especially if they approach 350hp). If they start at 30k I'll seriously consider selling my Evo for one.

 

[SearchMaster]

My thoughts:

First, they are paying close attention to the steering "feel" for the electric system with specifically engineered pieces set up for steering feel. The move to electric in my mk7 GTI from my Mk6 GTIs non-electric is dissatisfying. I hope they can recreate the feel they have in the ST (unsure if its electric or not tbh in the Focus ST) because it was amazing. Even when comparing to cars high above its price range I still loved the feel of it.

Second, the seats. Oh the seats. The recaro "option", which should be mandatory, was amazing in the ST. I do hope the new ones are just as amazing and don't cost too much.

Finally, the ST had the worst interior I've ever driven in. Too many buttons and Microsoft Sync system isn't something I'd ever find myself desiring. I hope they simplify things and give us a clean straightforward interface. Ideally they would just use CarPlay. Hopefully the instrument panel looks better in debut than the press photos I saw from Evo.

Can't wait for pricing. When my GTI is due to retire I'll strongly consider the RS. The power and drivetrain sound like a segment winning combo.

CarPlay ain't happening in the near future. Ford has announced that they are indeed dropping MyFord Touch, but replacing it with BlackBerry's QNX and will call it SYNC 3. Supposedly it will be available across the board in late 2016. From what I've seen on RS shots, it will have MFT but it would be strange to offer MFT on the first model year then switch to SYNC 3 after that.

MFT has been the biggest bugaboo across Ford's line and singlehandedly caused its Initial Quality ratings to drop below its competitors. I had some issues at first but the latest update from November has solved most of the problems. It still has issues with voice recognition at times, and the nav system through voice control can be infuriating at times (I use a $3 app called Send To Car to alleviate that issue). In general I like MFT and it is much better than the systems in our new Odyssey and A3, though neither of those has nav to compare.

I can't tell if this picture is a Fiesta ST or Focus ST.

 

[michal1980]

time to call my dealer to see if I can get a lock @ invoice. Most I'd pay for an early delivery.

 

[KentState]

This would make for a fun daily driver/beater.

 

[Zivic]

I'm pretty excited about this car. sounds like 37-38 starting and with limited available options the price should stay under 40...?

I called my dealer for info; more so to see if they had a waiting list setup yet. No waiting list or any real info. only good thing is I have time to save my pennies

 

[Nebor]

$37k for a Ford Focus. GTFO.