Remember when the 2016 Ford Focus RS was revealed with a power output merely promised to be over 320 PS? Well, the final figures are out, and it turns out the ultimate Blue Oval hot hatch is quite a bit more powerful than we previously thought.
In fact, the Mustang-derived 2.3 litre EcoBoost four-pot turbo mill is now claimed to churn out a stout 350 PS at 6,800 rpm (pretty much matching the previously-rumoured 350 hp output) and 440 Nm from 2,000-4,500 rpm – European-spec cars can reach a stinking 470 Nm for up to 15 seconds under hard acceleration through a transient overboost function.
To extract that kind of power, the engine has been given a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with a bigger compressor for improved air flow, a significantly larger intercooler to maximise charge density and a less restrictive intake design. A much larger radiator is also fitted (the largest ever equipped to a Focus, in fact) to ensure optimal cooling for full-on circuit driving.
The power plant has also been strengthened with an uprated alloy cylinder head to better cope with increased temperatures, along with stronger high-tensile cast iron liners for the block. Also revamped is the six-speed manual transmission, uprated along with the clutch to handle the torque and with a shorter shift action for faster, more accurate shifts.
Power is sent to all four wheels via a Ford Performance AWD with Dynamic Torque Vectoring – twin electronically-controlled clutch pack on either side of the rear drive unit enable 100% of the rear axle torque (up to 70% of overall drive torque) to be shifted side-to-side to either of the rear wheels. The system is claimed to virtually eliminate understeer, and even has a “Drift Mode” to perform controlled oversteer drifts.
Under the skin, there’s a new sports suspension with stiffer spring rates, bushes and anti-roll bars than on the ST, while the two-stage adjustable dampers provide a harder-edged setting for more spirited driving, such as on the track. Finishing it all off is a large-bore exhaust system with an electronically-controlled valve to optimise the balance of back pressure and noise. Distinctive burbles and pops are all part of the experience.
The 2016 Ford Focus RS is set to make an appearance at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed – in the hands of Ken Block, no less – before production is slated to kick off at the end of this year, the first cars hitting showroom floors starting mid-2016. Unlike past models, it will be a global car, making its way to American and Asian markets for the first time.
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Why copy VW Golf-R’s colour?
Where is the Ford RS’ yellow?
Wth.. the colour really matters that much?? 350ps/470nm with virtually zero understeer and all u could give 2 hoots about is why the colour is not yellow…*facepalm*
This isn’t FWD. How is having no understeer a surprise?
the subaru wrx had been plagued with understeer when it is AWD. some rwd cars also have understeer. understeer is there even if the car is not front driven.
Usually, a front heavy car has a natural tendency to understeer, even if its RWD or even AWD (Subaru Symmetric AWD & Audi Quattro). And this Ford (which is based on an FWD architecture) has the entire engine in front of the front axle, so it is nose heavy. But due to the trick torque vectoring, and a drift function (a guy named Ken Block was involved in its development), it can convert this to oversteer.
That is Focus ST laa…stupid
Civic Type-r what?
The new CTR competes with the ST and the Golf GTI. So now you know how good is the CTR when we have people like you comparing it to the RS.
Different level, dude
The CTR is FWD, just like the Golf GTI. So its not a direct competitor. The Focus RS is really on its own. Even though the Audi RS3 and A45 AMG are also AWD, they are by default FWD. Only when slip is detected, is torque pushed to the rears, so its difficult to make them drift (they are pretty neutral though through corners). So, Ford’s AWD system is similar to Acura’s SH-AWD which has full torque vectoring at all times. Though Acura’s system is not as drifty. Imagine if they put the SH-AWD into the CTR!! They can of course, cos Honda and Acura are related. But maybe not this generation, as the 10G Civic is coming soon. Might see it in the next gen CTR.
It’s arch rival will be the Subaru Impreza WRX STi – these two are no nonsense 4WD rally bred machines. Not all those bling2 4WD luxury hatches from Germany (Merc, Audi & VW)..
I’ll buy this over Suprima S.
Type R has a new enemy… a bold one indeed. But some may claim this RS is a limited run, a different class altogether. Well, I’m curious how Renault going to respond to the competition.
Hello F-RS. Welcome to Malaysia. (Goodbye GTI-R)
More garbage from ford, even the new focus st and mondeo has so many recalls related to ignition coil wiring, a classic ford problem, these people never learn.
Expecting 0-100km/h in at least 4.8 sec