Ford Focus RS review

[justinco]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Maybe we could get back on topic and stop talking about the clutch pedal of the Twins?

I drove a FoRS this past weekend in the NC mountains. Was equipped with the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Didn't really care for the driving position. With the seat down low I felt like I was in a bathtub. Window sill and dashboard seemed high. I adjusted the seat upwards to fix that, but overall it's an usual move for me b/c I'm 6'2". Wasn't super fond of the spacing between the steering wheel, shifter and pedals. Had difficulty shifting quickly between gears due to clutch pedal feel. The shifter itself was nice, however.

The engine seemed pretty good. Responsive for a turbo engine, though one could still notice the lag. Exhaust note was too quiet for my tastes, but when you could hear it it was nice. Seemed strongest in the mid range, and felt like it really started to tail off after 6000 rpm.

No hint of understeer even on the tightest of turns, though the front tires did look a bit chewed up on the edges after we were done driving for the day.

Based on vehicle weight power the power to weight ratio should be very similar to my car, but it didn't feel that way to me. Didn't notice the torque advantage. The gears of the FoRS are significantly shorter than the Porsche which should have further helped it out. Fun practical car, but nothing about driving it made me want it over my 987. Which is a very good thing I'd say, lol.

Good to hear your feedback! I too liked the car, but was not blown away by any stretch of the phrase. The car I drove did have a stiffer front sway bar, so it probably didn't behave quite like a stock one.

The seating position/cockpit is definitely something you have to get used to. Can't remember if I spoke to that in the video or not.

[jubella2]

I used to own a focus ST and the driving position was something I never liked. I always felt like I was in an SUV or something with how high and upright it was.

[mynameisnick4]

I traded in my FR-S two weeks ago for an RS and my only complaint so far is the seating position, mainly how it angles my knees up into the steering wheel. Haven't quite found a good position in it yet.

[JPxM0Dz]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

I traded in my FR-S two weeks ago for an RS and my only complaint so far is the seating position, mainly how it angles my knees up into the steering wheel. Haven't quite found a good position in it yet.

The seating position and the harsh ride were the two biggest complaints I've seen and read for the RS. Amazing track car, but not the best for daily...

[WolfpackS2k]

I didn't comment on ride quality. But since you just mentioned it that reminded me...

Seemed pretty similar to the ride quality of my Cayman S, which is to say harsh. Would also rate the Cayman harsher than the Twins.

[mynameisnick4]

Originally Posted by JPxM0Dz

The seating position and the harsh ride were the two biggest complaints I've seen and read for the RS. Amazing track car, but not the best for daily...

Honestly I don't feel like it rides any harsher than my bone stock FR-S did. I haven't tried the stiffer damper setting since everyone says its way to stiff for anything but the track. My only complaints so far is the seating position and the fake noise pipped through the speakers (though this can be easily disabled.)

[justinco]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

Honestly I don't feel like it rides any harsher than my bone stock FR-S did. I haven't tried the stiffer damper setting since everyone says its way to stiff for anything but the track. My only complaints so far is the seating position and the fake noise pipped through the speakers (though this can be easily disabled.)

I do recall the seating position was awkward. In fact the first thing I noticed when I sat in it for the first time.

Ride felt fine to me, in normal/sport modes. The track mode was very stiff and bumpy.

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by jubella2

I used to own a focus ST and the driving position was something I never liked. I always felt like I was in an SUV or something with how high and upright it was.

Same thing I've noticed with the Fiesta ST and I was just riding shotgun. Something I find people rarely talk about as they are too focused on the specs no pun intended lol!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I didn't comment on ride quality. But since you just mentioned it that reminded me...

Seemed pretty similar to the ride quality of my Cayman S, which is to say harsh. Would also rate the Cayman harsher than the Twins.

Curious, I wouldn't have guessed that, how old are the dampers?

My 86 only has about 45k miles on the dampers but I think they may be due for replacement already... Not really relevant to a brand new RS but still (although a set of aftermarket dampers and seats may be the trick to make that car near perfect).

[WolfpackS2k]

Good point worth mentioning. They're original as far as I know (though the original owner may have removed them at some point (and replaced when sold car), and car almost has 95,000 miles.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by mynameisnick4

I traded in my FR-S two weeks ago for an RS and my only complaint so far is the seating position, mainly how it angles my knees up into the steering wheel. Haven't quite found a good position in it yet.

Standard or Recaro?

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by JD001

Standard or Recaro?

The stock Recaro seats in these modern Fords do that. Feels like a portable baby's cradle but my memory could be foggy.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by krayzie

The stock Recaro seats in these modern Fords do that. Feels like a portable baby's cradle but my memory could be foggy.

Drove my cousin's ST MY16 optioned with the bigger wheels. I set the chair real low but it still just didn't match the Twin's seating position. The ST was like driving a bus and to top it, it just felt like mundane shopping trolley.


The Twin has a sense of "occasion" right from the moment you drop into the seat. It feels like a "sports" car!

[mynameisnick4]

Originally Posted by JD001

Standard or Recaro?

If I am not mistaken the Recaros in the RS are the only option. I think the optional RS2 package has different material on them but are still the same seats. The main problem that I see is when you lower the seat the front doesn't seem to lower, it's almost like it just lowers the back and makes the angle of your knees upward even worse. I'm getting used to it but I definitely prefer the seating position of the FR-S over this. I guess that's the sacrifice when you go to a car of this size/type versus your standard coupe.