Test drive Ford Focus RS
Test Drive

Test drive Ford Focus RS

Like the base Focus, the RS also boasts a global car label. This means that in any of the 42 global markets where the Focus RS will initially be sold, the buyer will receive the exact same vehicle. It is produced for the whole world at Ford's German plant in Saarlouis. But not all components, as the engines come from Valencia, Spain. The basic engine design is the same as the Ford Mustang, with a new twin turbocharger, fine tuning and handling for an additional 36 horsepower, which means the turbocharged 2,3-liter EcoBoost offers around 350 horsepower. which is currently the most in any RS. However, in Valencia, it is not only the power that matters, but also the sound of the RS engine. Therefore, with every motor leaving their production bands, their sound is also checked on a standard inspection. The unique sound system and selected programs then contribute to the final sound image. In a normal driving program, there are no audio accessories, and in any other program, when the accelerator pedal is suddenly released from the exhaust system, a loud crackling sound is heard, warning from a distance that this is not an ordinary car.

But how could there be such a Focus? Focus RS already by its appearance indicates that it is a purebred sportsman. Although such images at Ford were a little scary. Or is it because of the already mentioned global machine? When developing the new Focus RS, the predominantly British and American engineers (not only the Germans took care of the RS, but above all the dedicated Ford Performance team) also had day-to-day use in mind. And this is, at least for many tastes of the journalists present, which is a bit too much. If the exterior is completely sporty, then the interior is almost the same as the Focus RS. Thus, only the sports steering wheel and seats betray the racing soul, everything else is subject to family use. And that's actually the only gripe with the new Focus RS. Well, there is another one, but Ford has promised to fix it soon. The seats, already basic, and even more so the optional sports and Shell Recar, are very high, and therefore tall drivers can sometimes feel as if they are sitting in the car, not in it. Smaller drivers certainly don't experience these issues and sensations.

The air drag coefficient is now 0,355, six percent less than the previous generation Focus RS. But with such a machine, the air drag coefficient is not the most important thing, the pressure on the ground is more important, especially at high speeds. Both are provided with a front bumper, additional spoilers, channels under the car, a diffuser, and a rear spoiler, which is not a decoration at the rear, but its function is very important. Without it, the Focus RS would be helpless at high speeds, so the new RS boasts zero lift at any speed, even the highest speed of 266 kilometers per hour. Credit also goes to the front grille with 85% air permeability, much more than the 56% permeability of the Focus RS.

But the main novelty in the new Focus RS is, of course, the transmission. 350 horsepower is difficult to master with front-wheel drive alone, so Ford has been developing a completely new all-wheel drive for two years, complemented by two electronically controlled clutches on each axle. In normal driving, drive is directed only to the front wheels in favor of lower fuel consumption, while in dynamic driving, up to 70 percent of the drive can be directed to the rear wheels. In doing so, a clutch on the rear axle ensures that all the torque can be directed to the left or right wheel, if needed. This is of course necessary when the driver wants to have fun and chooses the Drift program. The transfer of power from the left rear wheel to the right rear wheel takes just 0,06 seconds.

Aside from the drive, the new Focus RS is the first RS to offer a choice of driving modes (normal, sport, track and drift), and the driver also has launch controls available for quicker starting out of town. In parallel with the selected mode, the four-wheel drive, the stiffness of the shock absorbers and steering wheel, the responsiveness of the engine and the ESC stabilization system and, of course, the already mentioned sound from the exhaust system, are regulated.

At the same time, regardless of the selected drive program, you can select a stiffer chassis or a stiffer spring setting (by about 40 percent) using a switch on the left steering wheel. The brakes are provided by efficient brakes, supposedly the most efficient in the entire Republic of Slovenia at the moment. Of course, they are also the largest, and the size of the brake discs is not difficult to determine - Ford specialists have chosen the largest possible size of the brake discs, which, according to European laws, are still suitable for 19-inch winter tires or suitable rims. Overheating is prevented by a series of air ducts running from the front grille and even from the lower wheel suspension arms.

In favor of better driving and especially car positioning, the Focus RS is equipped with special Michelin tires, which, in addition to normal driving, also withstand a number of lateral forces when sliding or skidding.

And the trip? Unfortunately, it rained on the first day in Valencia, so we were unable to push the Focus RS to its limits. But in areas where there was less rain and water, the Focus RS proved to be a true athlete. The consistency of the engine, all-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox with adapted short gear lever strokes is at an enviable level, resulting in guaranteed driving pleasure. But the Focus RS isn't just for the road, it's not even afraid of indoor racetracks.

First impression

“It’s very simple, even my grandmother would know,” said one of the Ford instructors, who pulled the shortest stick that day and was forced to sit in the passenger seat all day while reporters took turns doing so-called drifting. really nothing more than an empty parking lot. That's it. What is generally undesirable at press presentations is included in the mandatory program here. The instructions were very simple: “Turn around between the cones and go all the way to the throttle. When he takes the back, just adjust the steering wheel and don't let off the gas." And it really was. Transferring power to the bike of choice ensures that you get out of your ass quickly, then you need fast steering response, and when we get the right angle, just holding the handlebars is enough, at which point anyone can replace you with Ken Block. An even more exciting part followed: nine laps around the Ricardo Tormo race track in Valencia. Yes, where we watched the last race of the MotoGP series last year. Here, too, the instructions were very simple: "First round slowly, then at will." Let it be so. After an introductory round, a track driving profile was chosen. The car instantly hardened, like a person would react if he walked through Siberia in short sleeves. I used the first three laps to find the line and tried to make the turns as accurate as possible. From curb to curb. The car was running great. Four-wheel drive may be overkill on such a trip, but there was no feeling that something would hurt him. In front of higher curbs, I used a switch on the steering wheel lever, which immediately softened the car so that when landing off the curb, the car would not bounce. Great thing. The thought that the Drift program was also available did not give me peace of mind. The trip was pleasant, we went to the "cutting". I tried the first few laps but couldn't. You still have to have, um, this because you know what, to get the car out of some natural axis of motion at high speeds when braking and turning the steering wheel in the wrong direction. As soon as you start sliding sideways, poetry begins. Throttle to the end and only small steering adjustments. Later I found out that it can be done differently. Slowly into the turn, then at full power. Just like in an empty parking lot a little earlier. And as soon as I began to pay tribute to the well-executed drifts, I remembered the context in which the instructor mentioned his grandmother. Apparently the car is so good that it doesn't matter if it's me or his grandmother driving.

Text: Sebastian Plevnyak, Sasha Kapetanovich; photo Sasha Kapetanovich, factory

PS:

The turbocharged 2,3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine offers about 350 "horsepower", or more than any other RS ​​at the moment.

Drive aside, the new Focus is the first RS to offer a choice of driving modes (Normal, Sport, Track and Drift), and the driver also has access to the launch control system for faster city starts.

The maximum speed is 266 kilometers per hour!

We drove: Ford Focus RS

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