Official: Focus RS to sport 345 HP

[Zivic]

That's one expensive Ford Focus.

That's one expensive mitsubishi lancer.

That's one expensive subaru impreza.

 

[KentState]

Full configuration tool is live, ends up at just under $42k loaded (or just over if you want Nitrous Blue).

Anyone want to guess on what dealers will be charging? $50k?

Viper GTS

$42k used to get you one hell of a car. Now it seems a Civic can go for $30k so that isn't out of the ballbark.

 

[996GT2]

$42k used to get you one hell of a car. Now it seems a Civic can go for $30k so that isn't out of the ballbark.

A loaded Focus is actually $43k. The price quickly jumps up if you want seemingly basic options like a sunroof or leather interior.

Also looks like you cannot get the leather interior without also getting the navigation system.

At the end of the day, 43k is within striking range of the 526hp Shelby GT350 that starts at 47,795...

That's a LOT for a Ford Focus.

 

[Zivic]

42K is within striking range of the 526hp Shelby GT350 that starts at 47,795...

That's a LOT for a Ford Focus.

you aren't paying for the "focus" you are paying for the complicated boosted engine and AWD drive train.

I own an evo. as a an appliance kind of car it's a POS. terrible mileage, loud, rattles, not all that reliable. But it's a great fun car. at the end of the day it's a 15k dollar car on a 20k dollar drivetrain. Anyone that looks at this car in any way as a "focus" is going to have to be sitting down when they find out the price. Those that are enthusiasts of this kind of car already know the entry fee.

I was going to buy this car and have the 40k set to go; I've since decided a better use for my money would be a larger garage/shop. That said, I'm not cross shopping with a mustang. The argument that a fully loaded RS being within 5-6 grand of a GT350 really doesn't mean much. to some, it might, but I would think most it won't

 

[railer]

My impression from asking around at dealers about the Fiesta ST is that they don't just order these and have them on lots. They pretty much only order them from the factory or charge you extra to obtain it from some other dealer who did order one in advance. Either way, they know they've got you if you come asking them to order/find it because. They know that you know what you want and that your flexibility isn't going factor in to your bargaining position ("give it to me for $X or I'm going to go get $Y somewhere else"). Basically, I tried to act like I was interest in either the FiST or the FoST, but it didn't work for that reason.

I looked through cars.com and see tons of Focus ST's for ~ 5k under sticker. The last time I checked Truecar.com I think i could have got a loaded ST3 package ST for 27k. Deals are out there.

 

[shabby]

you aren't paying for the "focus" you are paying for the complicated boosted engine and AWD drive train.

Telling yourself that is easy, convincing others that you spent 40k for a focus isn't.

 

[NutBucket]

$42k used to get you one hell of a car. Now it seems a Civic can go for $30k so that isn't out of the ballbark.

Hell, a 2016 Camaro SS runs what, mid/low 12's and starts under $40k. Not exactly apples to apples but it's a lot of car!

 

[tweakmonkey]

It's priced in line with the market. STI, EVO etc. And it'll perform as well as any of those I'd imagine. I'd much rather have a modern (+Euro!) Ford than either of those.

If you option with the forged wheels (which are sadly ugly) you get Pilot Sport Cup2 tires. Great tires. This car is going to blow people away when the journalists start testing it. Then the tire replacement price will come.. about $1800 with shipping/installation!

 

[Zivic]

Telling yourself that is easy, convincing others that you spent 40k for a focus isn't.

if youre buying this car to prove/convince/impress others you live a sad life.

 

[shabby]

You see when someone questions your sanity for spending 40k+ for a focus you do have to convince them you're not insane.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Kind of like a "Lancer"? How about 80k for a Mustang? 100 for a Vette etc

 

[shabby]

Sure why not.

 

[tweakmonkey]

$75k Camaro Z28

 

[Zivic]

You see when someone questions your sanity for spending 40k+ for a focus you do have to convince them you're not insane.

same person questioning your sanity is driving a malibu. 40k+ is a lot of money for any car, but given its competition's pricing, it falls in line. those questioning your sanity in purchasing a "focus" would do so with the comparable subaru or mitsu.

 

[Kaido]

Ford Focus RS gets 350 hp, 350 lb-ft, stall recovery tech:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/10/12/ford-focus-rs-350-horsepower-350-torque-stall-recovery/

Here's how the 2016 Ford Focus RS's Stall Recovery feature works:

http://jalopnik.com/heres-how-the-2016-ford-focus-rss-stall-recovery-featur-1736102956

 

[Aikouka]

Man, that thing has as much horsepower as my car does, and mine has a twin-turbo V6 vs. that turbo I4.

That's a LOT for a Ford Focus.

I think that's the problem that you run into with a lot of these normal cars that have a performance variant. For example, before I bought my SHO, I was shocked to see its sticker price... $47.9 for a Taurus!? I think that's part of the reason why you see people with the fancier version refer to them by that version. For example, I'd just call my car a SHO, or someone with a Mustang Cobra would just call it a Cobra. It separates their cars from the cheaper, less-powerful variants.

It makes me wonder if they ever had the same thought in Japan with the Skyline GT-R. I mean... Nissan sold the normal Skyline as a standard family sedan, but you could get the turbocharged version (GT-S) or turbocharged, all-wheel drive version (GT-R).

 

[Zivic]

It makes me wonder if they ever had the same thought in Japan with the Skyline GT-R. I mean... Nissan sold the normal Skyline as a standard family sedan, but you could get the turbocharged version (GT-S) or turbocharged, all-wheel drive version (GT-R).

that reminds me of a story.

my dad goes in to get his murano serviced. He calls me and and says "you'll never guess how much this nissan costs I am standing next to". I say 100k.... "115k he says" "who the heck would buy a $100k nissan?" I tell him it's something special (nismo GTR) and they are all sold out, so apparently more than a couple people would. few weeks later he is back at the dealership and there is a Ferrari sitting on the showroom floor. He again calls me "there is a Ferrari here at the nissan dealership; what a beautiful car" I ask why they are selling a Ferrari?.... his reply "They took it on trade for a GTR"

It doesn't matter, focus, impreza, datsun, lancer or whatever.... if the car is legit, it is legit regardless if it carries the same name as a some vanilla commuter or cheapo variant.

 

[Griffinhart]

A loaded Focus is actually $43k. The price quickly jumps up if you want seemingly basic options like a sunroof or leather interior.

Also looks like you cannot get the leather interior without also getting the navigation system.

At the end of the day, 43k is within striking range of the 526hp Shelby GT350 that starts at 47,795...

That's a LOT for a Ford Focus.

MSRP for the RS (from the Ford Website) is about 40K w/ sunroof, Navigation and Leather. Not quite as bad as the number you give. It should be possible to get a very well equipped RS for 38ish. But, that's still a LOT of money for a Ford Focus. A fully loaded ST can be had for 28K or less.

Is all wheel drive and a bigger engine with about 80HP more worth 10 grand? I don't know... Maybe...

An almost fully loaded Mustang GT w/ Performance Pack can be had for 40K. But that would lack the usability of a hatch back and is only RWD vs AWD.

 

[SearchMaster]

It's 98HP more (350 vs 252), 80 ft-lb of torque (350 vs 270). Straight line performance increase is significant - 0-60 in 4.7 vs 6.3 (though the ST figure varies from ~5.9 to 6.3 depending on driver and conditions - love that FWD traction).

The extra power and AWD should bump the fun factor up a couple of notches, and the ST is already a very fun car to drive.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Reviews are starting to come in:

http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/ford/focus-st/23-rs/first-drive

 

[Vic]

My next car.

 

[tsupersonic]

I sat in one at NAIAS. I loved the Recaro seats and the car itself is very nice. I'm loving the hot hatch movement here in the US! Come on manufacturers, bring it!

 

[KentState]

With all that power and AWD, I was expecting it to be a little quicker. Too bad there aren't any other AWD wagon options around 30k.

 

[CZroe]

With all that power and AWD, I was expecting it to be a little quicker. Too bad there aren't any other AWD wagon options around 30k.

I'm glad to hear someone else call it that. I've been describing it that way to those around me, out-right saying that the Focus hatchbacks are more of a wagon, especially when compared to the "hot hatch" competition (FiST, Abarth, Golf, etc).

 

[KentState]

I'm glad to hear someone else call it that. I've been describing it that way to those around me, out-right saying that the Focus hatchbacks are more of a wagon, especially when compared to the "hot hatch" competition (FiST, Abarth, Golf, etc).

I probably called it a wagon on accident, but to me anything with 4 doors and a hatch is just that.