Ford Focus RS- The 350-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine in Ford’s hard-core hatchback is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Its torque-vectoring all-wheel drive can handle snowy streets as well as gravel-strewn back roads.
Although the Ford Focus RS cheap interior cannot be overlooked, it can still accommodate four adults and their belongings. Expect the poor to be weeded out by its harsh ride and cramped racing seats, but whoever is left standing is in for a wild ride.
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What Is The Price Of A Ford Focus RS And Which One Should You Buy?
The 2018 Focus RS is only available in Race Red or Nitrous Blue (a $695 option). The RS2 kit, which was previously a $2785 option for the 2017 model, is now standard and includes navigation, grippier seat inserts, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and front-seat, exterior mirror, and steering-wheel heating. Although forged 19-inch wheels are standard, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires add $550 to the price. The winter wheel-and-tire kit is still available for $1995 in the Snow Belt, but we think you can get a better deal elsewhere.
Performance, Engine, And Transmission
The Focus RS outperforms all others in its class, with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, and is capable of serious speed on any surface. The RS isn’t light, weighing more than 3400 pounds, but its all-wheel-drive traction, combined with the short gearing and crisp engagements of the six-speed manual, allows it to bolt away from stoplights with ferocity.
The clutch pedal is firm but not harsh, and it takes little time to get used to its initial springiness. The EcoBoost four has a deep, industrial growl and responds quickly with little turbo lag. Even while cruising, it’s an angry hornet’s nest of a powertrain. Between changes and when decelerating, the bazooka exhaust pipes pop and snort loudly.
Above all, the Focus RS is a performance vehicle. Only the Civic Type R genuinely challenges the RS in flat-out results in this hyper-hatch class, and Honda won the comparison test. The Ford isn’t jittery, but it is high-strung and rides stiffly, even when the adjustable dampers are adjusted to the softer of the two settings.
The optional track-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which stick like Gorilla Glue and improve Ford’s already impressive grip, exacerbate the rough ride on poorer roads. (The regular Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires were used on the other RS we tested.) The fixed-ratio steering is precise and fast, but not to the point of making the RS jittery at higher speeds.
It has respectable stopping power, with no fade in our testing and a pleasingly strong and sensitive pedal feel.
Fuel Efficiency
The Focus RS isn’t known for its fuel economy. Even if you fight the urge to floor it on any upshift, the RS is EPA-rated to use more fuel than all of its competitors except the Subaru WRX STI. Similarly, general interstate cruising is not in the RS’s favor. On our 200-mile test drive, we matched the car’s 25-mpg highway estimate, but if you’re looking for a 30-mpg hot hatch, look elsewhere.
Cargo, Interior, And Infotainment
The Focus is one of the class’s older and more crowded compacts, and the RS’ cabin has too many economy-car plastics for our tastes. While it’s a practical office for the business of spirited driving, Ford’s RS makeover didn’t include much in the way of interior upgrades.
The RS comes with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 software, which offers vibrant menus, logical navigation, and plenty of connectivity. The only audio system available is a Sony 10-speaker setup. Although there is no auxiliary input or Wi-Fi hotspot on the Sync 3, it does have Bluetooth and USB inputs, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The RS, like the traditional Ford Focus hatchback on which it is built, has a low overall stowage capacity and a lack of smaller cubbies for loose products. Under the rear cargo floor, audio system equipment and a tire-inflation kit take up room.
Features For Driver Assistance And Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t reviewed the RS, despite the fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a top five-star crash ranking. Unfortunately, aside from a backup camera, the hot Ford provides no driver-assistance equipment, so any RS customers looking for this extra layer of protection are out of luck.
2018 Ford Focus RS Review
The original hot hatch is no longer relevant; it’s no longer about a nice revving engine with low weight and excellent handling. Hot hatches nowadays feature high-powered turbocharged engines, all-wheel-drive systems, and cutting-edge technology, and the Ford Focus RS tries to stand out in this environment.
With a long history in motorsport, the RS moniker is something that every Ford owner wants on their vehicle, particularly when it’s shaped like a new Focus and painted in Nitrous Blue. The 2018 Ford Focus RS looks like some decent fun at an affordable price, with a starting MSRP of $36,995 and a 350 horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder lump.
Conclusion
With the Focus RS spec, Ford took a completely different approach, employing serious high-tech systems to handle a massive power output and build a four-wheel-drive chassis that responds to the demands of its driver with the agility of a lighter, smaller, and simpler vehicle. To put it another way, more is more, with the Focus RS Drift Mode just one of a slew of features that cemented the model’s place in fast Ford lore.
FAQs Of Ford Focus RS
Is the Ford Focus RS still in production?
Ans: They range from two to four doors, front, rear, and all-wheel drive, as well as sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. Anything nice has to come to an end. Sadly, despite rumors that the hot Ford Focus RS will get a strong hybrid drivetrain in its next version, this is not the case.
What is a better, RS or ST?
Ans: The 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine in the Focus RS produces 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The Focus ST has a smaller 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 253 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The AWD system on the RS has a high-capacity intercooler and improved torque vectoring power.
Will there be a 2020 Focus RS?
Ans: Today, Ford introduced the all-new, third-generation Focus RS, a versatile all-wheel-drive hatchback that will be available for the first time in the United States. The Focus RS, along with the Ford GT and the new Raptor, is part of Ford’s initiative to introduce 12 new high-performance vehicles by 2020.
Is Ford Focus RS a good car?
Ans: The Ford Focus RS has nimble handling and tight steering. The drive has plenty of strength and momentum, giving it near-unwavering trust in its ability to rip every corner. The thing looks amazing, even more so than it performs.
Will Focus RS hold value?
Ans: A 2010 Ford Focus RS is still worth half of what it cost new (£27,265 in case you’re curious), and although it’s currently priced at £13,663, buy a decent one for that and you may find that it appreciates in value over time.
What is the difference between RS and ST?
Ans: The ST is powered by a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine. A turbocharged 2.3L inline-four engine with 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque powers the RS model. Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is also available on the RS.
What is the best year for Ford Focus?
Ans: CarComplaints.com described the 2000-2003 and 20012-2014 model years as the most problematic for the Ford Focus when compared by model year. Other model years have proven to be much more dependable. The 2015 Focus saw improvements, and 2018-2019 Focuses received fewer complaints.
What car is Ford bringing back?
Ans: Ford has a lot riding on the 2021 model year. The Bronco SUV will be brought back for the first time in decades (barring any more delays) and the nifty lightweight Bronco Sport will be added to the lineup.
How long can a Ford Focus last?
Ans: According to customer feedback, the Ford Focus will travel between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. The typical Ford Focus car would have a service life of 13 to 16 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year.
Why are Ford cars so unreliable?
Ans: Several of the company’s most popular vehicles, such as the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta, have consistently received poor reliability ratings, with major issues including cooling fans, car leaks, and in-car entertainment.
When did they stop making Ford Focus RS?
Ans: The 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine from the Mustang was used in the RS. Both the ST and RS demonstrated Ford’s commitment to performance and their ability to create a compact, fun-to-drive hatchback. However, the Emphasis was phased out of manufacturing in the United States in 2018.