The Ford Focus RS is a performance hatchback that is the new king of the hill. It has an insane engine, all-wheel drive, and amazing grip! It is the ultimate hot hatch and is selling very well in America!
Sales. According to a report by Torque News, the new 2017 Focus RS officially went on sale in the United States last summer. This was the first time that the RS variant was offered in the United States. Since it became available, Ford has sold more than 3,500 units of the turbocharged hot hatch.
Jessica Bishop, Ford North America's Focus marketing manager, has said that the sales momentum for the hatch has been incredible for the first six months. In fact, in 2016 alone Ford was able to sell around 2,500 units, making it an average of around 500 units a month. This is a huge number considering General Motors only sold around 3,000 units of the Chevrolet SS sport sedan for the year 2016.
Features. What makes this vehicle so special? It puts a giant smile on the face of its owner every time they see it. It is robust and feisty and able to startle nearby people when its ignition starts. The Ford Focus RS is this and so much more!
It is an ultra-high-performance version of the standard Focus, according to Edmunds. While it looks like a sportier Focus ST, it is a beast compared to it. The Focus ST has 252 horsepower which is not bad but the RS has 350 horsepower coming from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This is also around 200 horsepower more than the base Focus. On top of that, it has a torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system, upgraded brakes, really fresh Michelin tires, and adjustable suspension dampers.
And the Focus RS isn't just a race car. It is equipped with all the best features! It comes with Sync 3 system as standard which has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10-speaker sound system, and other modern tech features.
Pros. For its size, this tiny hatch has outlandish turbocharged power! It also has extreme grip, especially when going around sharp turns.
Cons. However, it has no automatic transmission. A lot of car enthusiasts would argue that performance hatches should come as manual-only exclusively, anyway. Additionally, considering its tiny size, its rear legroom is very cramped. While it does come with Recaro front sport seats, these are often too narrow and uncomfortable for some.
Powertrain and Equipment. The Ford Focus RS comes with a turbocharged 2.3-iter four-cylinder engine. It produces 350 horsepower and pound-feet of torque. It comes in six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
Its standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, special summer tires, performance brakes, and adjustable suspension settings. It also has automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights, and fog lights. In addition, it has integrated blind-spot mirrors, remote entry with push-button start, a rearview camera, and cruise control.
Inside is partial leather upholstery and really cool front Recaro sport seats. The cabin is very well put together with excellent controls that are within reach and full of soft surfaces.
Driving. The Ford Focus RS is very fun to drive. At launch, the driver gets a "gut-punch, " and the engine starts booming immediately. To the wannabe racer, this car is pure fun and excitement!
It is very rewarding to drive the Focus RS on winding mountain passes. The driver will really feel the strength of its breaks and the hatch's grip and maneuverability. The very tight suspension adds to the car's overall precision and confidence. Similarly, the steering has great feedback and gives a clear indication of the front tires' grip.
The Drift mode is fun but is sometimes unsettling and unpredictable. While less talented drivers will want to show off with it, it may be an unnecessary novelty for the experienced driver. The Normal drive softens the suspension and makes it better for everyday driving.
The Ford Focus RS is fun and fast and is a joy to drive. Undoubtedly, everyone will agree that they love it and it is slowly becoming everyone's favorite hot hatch. How will this compare to the Honda Civic Type R? Share your thoughts and comments below!
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