NOW THAT FORD have at last confirmed they'll be bringing a limited number of the Focus RS to South Africa, we thought it good time to revisit our exclusive driving impressions of Ford’s 224 kW hatchback performance king, which appeared in our September 2009 edition of topCar.
Every brand needs an icon and we can’t think of a better one to boost Ford sales and remind people what RS means – even if it isn’t particularly well-known in a local context. For the record, it stands for Rallye Sport. Date of birth: mid-1970. First-born: Ford Escort MkI RS1600. One hundred of these came to SA but weren’t all sold in that form. More recently the RS moniker is remembered with the MkII RS2000, available here from late 1978 to early 1980.
Truth is, South African car guys definitely know what RS stands for and a few minutes browsing internet forums shows just how badly local fans of the Blue Oval want to see the Focus version. Their enthusiasm may however be tempered by a price on the wrong side of R500 000 and maybe closer to R600 000.
Blame Newton
The other burning question, concerning the torque steer which blighted the previous generation Focus RS (never available here), is answered about halfway into a quick pedal out to the west of Jo’burg in this ultimate green example, the only one in the land. The test is a telling one for a powerful turbo front-driver: gear it back a ratio or two to make sure there’s boost on hand and then squeeze the loud pedal.
The instant I do so we shoot out from behind the car we’ve caught and whoosh past, slotting in ahead equally quickly in what is essentially a double lane change. It’s a matter of seconds, but is a seminal moment. Yes, there is a hefty tug as lock is applied and torque hits the tarmac simultaneously, but no three-way dog-fight between driver, steering wheel and road wheels at any point in the right/left, left/right sequence. Each time the car finds the exact rectangle of tarmac I was looking for. As we power down the road in the general direction of Lanseria, I mentally tick the box marked ‘Sorted’.
But it has to go round corners too, so I seek out a 90-degree left that can be negotiated in third gear. We arrive briskly and I go down the gate of the six-speeder, turning in fairly gently but adding power enthusiastically at the same time. Once again the loads through the thick rim increase suddenly, but there’s no unruly left/right ducking and diving, just an overwhelming sensation of forward thrust as the 235/35 Contis bite into the coarse tarmac and slingshot us out of the corner. No scrabbling for grip, no hint that the inside front tyre is attempting to relinquish contact with terra firma. I mentally tick the box marked ‘Excellent’ under the ‘Traction’ subheading.
Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t some docile, unassuming shopping trolley and early indications are that it requires finesse and sensitivity from the driver if it is to be fully rewarding. Cars like this don’t enjoy ham-fisted inputs, but the bottom line is that it is easy to drive despite the 224kW/440 Nm ratings. That makes it the most powerful hatchback ever available in this country, by the way.
Angle of attack
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LIMITED
Any Idiot can own a BMW 135i but there are only 60 RS's in South Africa and one of them is going to be mine soon.
RS Best hot hatch
It´s a pure gem to drive and own! The engine is superb the ride and handling oustanding. The stability wonderful. It´s the best hot hatch by far!!
RS
YOU ARE ALL LIKE A BUNCH OF KIDS . YOU CAN NOT COMPARE BEEMERS AGAINST THE RS FOR WHATEVER REASON ... IT IS THE BEST HOT HATCH BY FAR SO LEAVE IT AT THAT
BUY A V8 KIDS.... GROW UP
ALL U LIL KIDS SHOULD SELL THOSE HATCHES TO STUDENTS AND ELDERS..... FOR HALF THE PRICE U CAN BUY A CHEV SS THAT WILL LEAVE THOSE THINGS FOR THE BIRDS.... OH AND IF U REALLY WANT U CANT GET THE BAKKIE VERSION, HAHAHHA A BAKKIE WILL SMOKE THOSE THINGS.... BUY A USED S4 BUY ANYTHING RATHER THAN THOSE MACHINES, THEY SOUND LIKE [filtered word], AND REALLY LETS BE HONEST ONLY MILK AND JUICE COMES IN AROUND THE 2L MARK.......
Focus RS is the best hot hatch
According to european car mags the Focus RS is the best fast hot hatch in the world. No other compares to it. It was called the Porsche Carrera from Ford. The drive & handling are 5 stars the engine, steering, gearbox and brakes are superb, no one does it better and the chassis is acurate, firm and 100% stable. Leaves any Bmw by miles. Top gear, Automobile mag, car and driver, Quattroruote, Auto journal, Octane mag, perfomance car, Motor, Autocar...
135i vs ford RS
Yes, i agree that it is better looking then all the other hatches and faster but my 135i is not a hatch.
Focus RS is the best hot hatch
According to european car mags the Focus RS is the best fast hot hatch in the world. No other compares to it. It was called the Porsche Carrera from Ford. The drive & handling are 5 stars the engine, steering, gearbox and brakes are superb, no one does it better and the chassis is acurate, firm and 100% stable. Leaves any Bmw by miles. Top gear, Automobile mag, car and driver, Quattroruote, Auto journal, Octane mag, perfomance car, Motor, Autocar...
Will believe it when i see
Will believe it when i see it. It also comes down to the driver. I was quiker then a C63 AMG, RS4 & the new M3 for the first 1KM, after that they were just in front of me but by not much since in SA the cars are limited to 250KM/hr. Say what you want to but the 135i is a much better buy and more stable on the road. I want to see the Ford RS take on my 135i M coupe.
Anyway, i am trading my 135i in next year for the new limited spec 1M Coupe with a 0-100km/hr in 4.4 sec. Already placed my order!!!
Ford RS vs 135i coupe
I drive a 135i coupe. The RS, on paper, looks good but will not even touch my twin turbo
It did
It just did, maybe not in the 0-100kph run but around a the track it did at both Kyalami and Killarney, if the two production car drivers who tested them can be believed.
FORD FOCUS RS
I'm really impressed by this machine Ford RS im even scared of it should i approach anyone driving it.VW must bring a bullet amongs the bullet coz golf R it wont be enough for Ford RS.
U shud feel special by driving limited edition.I think i will consider it, well done ford!!
Focus RS
The Focus RS leaves any Bmw my miles! Its far superior in all! Pointed best fast hatch in Europe.
pls
How can the RS compete with a BMW 135i, 0-100 5.9 vs 135i @ 5.2? There's no contest
RS Charisma
The Focus RS is a rocket, has charisma pedegree...Do not compare it with a Sportback please!
Focus RS
Saw one in Small Town of Escort, its a bomb. But Cant spend so much for a Ford rather add More thousand and get myself an S5 sportback
I m not suprice uby the coments
Guys u are still suprice my member is driving the only ford RS in Limpopo, if you are a speeding person then please park your toy at home because the RS is in LIMPOPO driven by a DRAT LOCK MAN
BMW 135i vs AUDI S5
C'mon guys, u cant compare a V6 COUPE to a 4cylinder HATCH, 135i has got nothing on Audi S5, a V6 one. As for that FORD RS 225 power & 440 torque is useless on 2 drivewheels (slipping), it will eat dust from SUBARU WRX STI, a hatch of its size.
Ford RS vs BMW M1
RS good on paper to market and sell but will will flop when it comes to real road test against the proven and tested iconic 135i..and that's when the owners will trade in..BMW 135i is the benchmark, Ford RS is the wannabe 135i
Waiting for the Ford Mondeo
Best hot hatch, by miles!!!!!! A wonder! Now we are waiting to the Ford Mondeo in our shores.
focus rs
I think it is great that ford are bringing the RS focus to our shores. The
price R479000 So its not a bmw or a merc, just a lot more fun and it will hold its value more than i can say for bmw 135i and no the RS will not
be in the rear view mirror of the 135i LOL
Buy a used Porsche Cayman S for about 600k!
500 to 600k!? Get real. Totally stupid in my opinion. I will go visit Porsche and purchase a Porsche approved used Cayman S for about the same price. At least the correct wheels are getting that power!
224kW into the front wheels!? That is just stupid in my books!
FOCUS RS PRICE
I enquired with a dealer and the price is R480000
A true blue wonder!
What a car, what a style, agressive, fast, powerful, attractive... all we ever wanted in a true super hatch! Bring this gem here!!
Pricing
SA being ripped off. Both Focus RS and BMW130i sell for around 35k Euro in Germany, which is one of the more expensive countries in Europe. There is a white Focus RS parked in front of my house every evening. Looks quite serious, can imagine it on the Autobahn. Do believe that kind of power needs four wheel or at least rear wheel drive....
The Ferrari from Ford
The focus is pointed as the best spor hatch in Europe in terms of engine, road and handling, stability, chassis, structure, brakes, fit and finish and steering. It´s a gem to own and drive say car experts. In a scale from o to 10 they score it with 10! Is far better than any Bmw and is called the Ferrari from Ford! Leaves a M3 or any S4 by miles!!!!!!!
Focus RS vs BMW 135i Coupe
Why on earth would one pay between R500k-R600k for a Ford with 224 kw, if you can have the BMW 135i Coupe for more than a R100k less?? Beats me, even though some guys will buy this, it's really NOT a good buy! Needless to say, can't wait to pull away from the robot and the RS in my rearview mirrors.... all of that for a R100k less!!! LOL BARGAIN!!!
Scarcity will sell this car
I'm not a Ford fan and in my opinion I also believe that the 135i Coupe is a better car... but firstly, the 135i has become pretty much common-place these days... there is no exclusivity, as anyone with the money can buy it...whereas for around R600k, the RS will sell like crazy in SA, purely because we will most likely only get 50-100 of them...
Scarcity!
R600k - for a focus, you're insane! I'll buy a used SLK 55 AMG, M3, C63, RS4... the list goes on...
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