Find Reviews by Make:
The term “Fast Ford” means something very different outside of North America. In the rest of the world, a Fast Ford wasn’t a V8 muscle car, but a light, nimble hatchback with a hot engine and a well-sorted chassis. We’ve been getting a few Fast Fords in dribs and drabs (the Focus SVT, followed by the latest ST models), but the 2016 Focus RS will be our first true RS product.
The new model will debut as a 2016.5, and reportedly be sold in limited quantities. The 2.3L Ecoboost engine will be shoved under the hood, making well in excess of 300 horsepower. No word on all-wheel drive, but our Ford sources promise us more information in the coming months.
Thanks to AutoGuide.com for the spy photos.
62 Comments on “Fast Ford Onslaught To Continue, Focus RS Coming To America...”
Read all comments
Realistically, what will this thing sell for. Call me interested and that will be about the time I’ll be in the market.
A fully loaded Focus ST stickers for just over $30k..
Mustang GT territory.
How about a Fusion SHO with this motor while you’re at it, Ford? All the parts are there and it should be pretty plug n play at this point.
Picture a Fusion SHO 2.3L Ecoboost with 330hp and AWD, or just make it FWD and give us a manual. Or we could go really crazy and use the 2.7L V6 Ecoboost from the new Edge.
Ah!
Ridder kah go fass!
Spin wheeyers, ridder kah!
Hey, look! Casual racism!
Hey, look! Random Jackassary!
Hey look, white college boy.
Like that’s a bad thing.
Depends
Actually in my 30s, but yes, I went to college. Just a little shocked that someone in this day and age would actually leave a comment that sounds like a line from a WWII era Looney Tunes short.
It’s kind of a non sequitur, anyway, considering this is a Ford, but whatever. For whatever reason, I forgot that “the best and brightest” had not just a racist element, but the anti-intellectual and anti-education streak as well. I’ve voted Republican in most elections I’ve been eligible to vote in (since 2000), but I’m pretty appalled at how wrongheaded some people on the right have gotten.
Anyway, I would hope that racist comments fall under one of the few categories that would rate moderator attention.
Well, the commenter in question already quit TTAC yesterday over our uber-Christian ownership or something like that.
That’s all folks!
Hey look…you are a racist
Not quite. This has always been more than simple ricerdoom. Though modernly it has approached that low level, traditionally this is way more.
And at that moment, every automotive journalist in the western hemisphere soiled him/herself in anticipation.
And the internet said it buy one if it were in brown.
No, no, that’s only it Ford brings the Focus ST-D wagon over here lol
As much as I like the idea of the Focus RS, it will be a tricky value proposition if it ever makes it to the US. It will probably sell for similar money than the Golf R20 and probably the same low volume. Even for a hot hatch fan like myself, more than $30K is simply too expensive.
I am much more hopeful that the 2015 Focus ST suspensions changes will brings Fiesta ST levels of driving fun to the Focus ST.
It’ll be up against the STi which is in the high $30’s, so it shouldn’t be a problem
Why buy this for 30k over a v8 mustang or Camaro, much more fun to toss a pony car than a fwd car that you can’t sit comfortably in without both knees resting against something.
Same reason folks pay 40K for STIs
If you can’t get it Hummer you won’t. Mustangs and all are darn fun, but a top mid size sporty Ford has always been much more than that. FWD, no AWD all day.
Because I no longer have enough hair to rock a mullet so the Camaro and Mustang are out.
They should just sell it for 50k in the US and call it a day. THe Fiesta XR was always the one who pulled cheap tricks, the top Escort or Focus is more for the gentleman driver to slam his foot down. This is the case of a car “not” built to a price point and “not” interested in selling.
Except then they’re completely in STi territory and within striking distance of German offerings with similar specs. It’d need to be truly compelling to demand that price.
Get your point, respect it, but basically don’t care. A Focus or an Escort has always been more car to me than a Golf.
Lets look at that point deeper though
What does $40K get you from a German company? From BMW, that gets you a 1 or 3 with the x28i engine, no LSD, and most likely much less standard equipment, as well as more weight and a much softer, luxury driving experience. From Audi, it gets you an A3 or A4 2.0T, which are not even in the same stratosphere as these cars. S3 is just outside the 40K price cap (42K). Only real competitor from Germany is the Golf R, which to me sounds like a more complete package, but again is a little soft.
Cars like this and the STI are not so much about value as much as delivering a very specific, raw, fun driving experience with a high level of accessible performance at a somewhat affordable price. To that end, if this thing has torque vectoring AWD and comes in under $40K, it will be a success. It’s not for everybody but that’s the whole point. I would personally rather have a G37 or Golf R, but I respect what this thing is about.
He said 50k and didn’t seem to care about it being FWD. That’s where I thought it’d have a hard time against competition.
I agree that if they can pull off “well in excess of 300 horsepower” and “torque vectoring AWD” in the 40k range they will have a winner on their hands. With those attributes, they’ll be poaching sales from everyone with similar vehicles.
Neato.
Two problems though:
It’ll be too expensive for the people who’d want it.
Not utilitarian enough for those who could.
Don’t get me wrong, I applaud Ford for doing this, but face it, they’ll price it out of reach for those who lust for such vehicles. (Young people and self proclaimed auto enthusiasts.)
By the time most people can economically progress to the point where they could responsibly purchase such a vehicle they’re going to be yearning for isolation/gizmos/reliability more than a rip snorting thrill ride.
The EVO and STI found buyers in limited numbers, and this is supposed to be a limited numbers kind of thing too. It builds credibility in a segment that isn’t all that into Mustangs. It gets buzz. It buzzes. I usually prefer a longer wheelbase, but I respect the class and it’s buyers all the same.
If the goal is limited quantities it should have no problem matching golf r sales. Ford has a much bigger fan base, and this would be a drop in the bucket for ford here. I agree awd would open it up to a different and maybe more monied demographic but that’s not on the table regardless of what you read on autoblog.
If it has a decent full-time AWD system and a manual, I’d want one. With those and the above specs, if it was available for 2015, I’d buy one.
I put my money where my mouth is and recently bought a 14 FoST.
Great machine, but the interior is a squeaky rattlebox. My old Subaru rattled less (!)
With such a junky interior, I can’t imagine paying north of 40k CAD for one. Then again, Subaru sells every STI they make.
I’ll eat me hat if they don’t give this awd. The ST already struggles with ~250hp going to the front wheels.
It would be a credible alternative to the STI.
I still think 3 door versions of the ST and RS models being available in United States would be cooler. Then we could drop the pretense that the back seat might some how be useful.
I respectfully disagree. The 4 doors and the (relatively) useful backseat is what kept my Golf R in my household (after having a daughter). They actually make great everyday drivers.
“The 4 doors and the (relatively) useful backseat is what kept my Golf R in my household (after having a daughter). They actually make great everyday drivers.”
Yes, the Golf has a real back seat, useable even by full-sized adults. I’ve not been in a latest gen Focus, but iirc, if they’re anything like the older ones there’s no comparison to a MK5/6 Golf.
Even if no one ever sits in them, back seats are still useful, and doors for them even more so.
I like this because it gives Honda an incrementally larger reason to import the Civic R.
Why? It’s been a while since the Civic R came close to the Focus and Golf. Fun, yes, but not there
I am referring to the new Civic R that has, IIRC, 300 turbocharged horsepower going through the front wheels. Honda is specifically trying to make it the fastest FWD car around the ‘Ring. Very different from previous NA Civic Type Rs that had about 1/3 less power.
Let’s see if the newest one delivers then. It can be done and some Hondas and Toyotas have been able to take on Focus and Golf in the past.
Lipstick on a pig.
You’re just salty because GM doesn’t have anything that even comes close to competing. Nothing like a 138hp Cruze or Sonic to set your soul on fire!
Actually I could care less what GM offers. Not sure why you brought GM into a Ford article but whatever suits yourself.
Because you are a GM shill, that’s why.
Ha! Where are you getting this?
Man you people like to make things up. Seriously, get a hobby.
Silvy is short for Sylvester, not Silverado?
I get it from your long and distinguished posting history in which you consistently shill for GM, that’s where.
@mkirk I think even silvy has partially bailed from GM. He now has a bright red Ram 1500.
I never shill for GM. I provide common sense commentary that’s grounded in reality. Obviously that bothers you.
And mcs, time to use those things called facts again.
How can I have “bailed” on GM when I simply switched brands? I still like GM along with EVERY single manufacturer. How exactly did I bail?
I love the lies!!! This is hysterical.
“I provide common sense commentary that’s grounded in reality.”
That actually made me laugh out loud.
Folks, this is the Dunning-Kruger effect in high gear. Too inept to know just how inept that he is.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolved-primate/201006/when-ignorance-begets-confidence-the-classic-dunning-kruger-effect
Silvy seems to be more of a Ford troll than a GM shill, and recently revealed that he’s presently a Ram driver. Best ignored in any case.
Pch the know it all, welcome to the party.
Where did you get your Phd again?
Amazing how some people are bothered by the truth. What’s even more amazing is the rather pathetic lengths they will go to in an attempt to discredit people when in actuality, all they are doing is discrediting themselves.
Anyway, back to this pig of a car…why not just make this the Focus ST everyone wanted to begin with?
That’s right, because that would make sense….and Ford is very against doing anything that makes sense, unless it screws the customer over.
Judging by your written words alone, you’re either simply socially inept, legitimately crazy, drunk in the morning, or a very thorough troll.
Maybe Al Mullally was mean to you when you were a kid or something, either way your “common sense” opinions go beyond normal thoughts on consumer products into truly weird obsession. I’m guessing a combo of legit crazy and troll.
brenschluss….I’m convinced a Ford ran over his puppy when he was a kid hence his blatant contempt. I don’t know how one can hate a car company so much…but there you go.
I have no horse in the Ford race, but I do get sick of seeing the same person smear verbal feces on the same wall every day.
He’s just a dimwit with OCD.
Focus is the new Mustang
Mustang is the new Mustang.
Love it! Though there will be insurance nemesis.
Hello Nissan NA are you payin attention? Do something similar with Micra,Sentra,Versa etc.
This is excellent news.
Ford picked a good time if they can deliver the RS in one year, just as Subaru exited the high performance hatchback market this year.