New ford focus RS

[FiestaST]

Used car buying guide: Ford Focus RS

The Mk1 Focus RS is a modern classic hot hatch with a solid reputation and prices within reach of the common man (or woman). We take a closer look

Some cars require years of dogged marketing to establish themselves, but the Ford Focus RS Mk1 did so in little more than 12 months and 4501 copies. Today, 18 years after it was launched in 2002, it is regarded as a modern classic.

Don’t think, however, that is code for unaffordable. Prices for the best may be nudging £25,000 (and there’s a mint one with 3000 miles going for £33,000) but, as we discovered, you can still find tidy ones with good histories for less than £9000.

Used car buying guide: Ford Focus RS | Autocar

The Mk1 Focus RS is a modern classic hot hatch with a solid reputation and prices within reach of the common man (or woman). We take a closer look

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[FiestaST]

Ford Focus RS Mountune M520 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

Only you can answer that. If you're hunting for the most thrilling Focus RS sensible money can buy, you'll find the M520's duality impressive. The powertrain's docile persona when the turbo isn't lit makes the car no less usable than the standard Focus RS in normal driving, which is nothing short of amazing when you consider how switched on the driver needs to be when 500bhp and 500lb ft is flowing.

Others will look at the price – which is a minimum of £37,000, even if you find a second-hand donor car – and rightly start to wonder about an old Mitusbishi Evo IX or similar. Both cars share the same Group A vibes but you'd trade some interior quality, rolling refinement and mod-cons in the Evo for similar point-to-point pace to the M520, greater pedigree and sweeter, less front-biased handling. Elsewhere, the new Mercedes-AMG A45 S is a fair bit more expensive and comparatively light on charisma, so perhaps isn't a direct rival.

Ford Focus RS Mountune M520 specification

Where Essex On sale Now Engine 4 cyls in line, 2261cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 513bhp at 5550rpm Torque 516lb ft at 4000-4700rpm Gearbox 6-spd manual Kerb weight 1599kg Top speed 175mph (est) 0-62mph 4.0sec (est) Economy na CO2 na Rivals Mercedes-AMG A45 S, BMW M2 Competition

Ford Focus ST 2012-2018 review | Autocar

The Focus ST once held its own against the Golf GTI, but does it have the edge on your second-hand shortlist?

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[FiestaST]

New Ford Focus RS hot hatch is dead in the water, claims fresh report

The Focus RS is seemingly dead. A fresh report out of France claims Ford will not build an RS-badged hyper hatch based on the fourth-generation Focus.

According to Caradisiac, the Blue Oval brand has confirmed the Focus RS project has been scrapped, largely thanks to increasingly stringent emissions regulations in Europe. The report furthermore suggests the move forms part of Ford’s push to save money.

A story from February 2020 claimed the future of the Focus RS nameplate was hanging in the balance as Ford’s engineering team searched for a “solution” to keep the flagship performance model alive.

According to Autocar, the firm was attempting to develop a full-hybrid powertrain that wouldn’t negatively impact the firm’s average fleet CO2 emissions figure, which has to be capped at 95 g/km under the new EU regulations.

New Ford Focus RS hot hatch is dead in the water, claims fresh report - CAR Magazine

The Focus RS is seemingly dead. A fresh report out of France claims Ford will not build an RS-badged hyper hatch based on the fourth-generation... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Ford: No plans for a fourth-generation Focus RS

Low-volume hot hatch falls victim to increasingly stringent emissions regulations as firm confirms no replacement

Ford has no plans to introduce a range-topping RS version of the current Focus, it has emerged.

As reported by Autocar in February, it had been understood that any fourth-generation Focus RS would hinge on development of a a high-output hybrid powertrain that would minimise the performance model’s impact on Ford’s fleet average CO2 emissions.

It has now been confirmed, however, that development of such a system for the model has been deemed not cost-effective, and so Ford isn't planning a new Focus RS.

A Ford spokesperson said: “As a result of pan-European emissions standards, increased CO2 taxation and the high cost of developing an RS with some form of electrification for a relatively low volume of vehicles, we are not planning another RS version of the Focus.

“We remain committed to Ford Performance vehicles in Europe as part of our DNA, with cars like the multi-award-winning Focus ST and Fiesta ST, as well as our Mustang and Ranger Raptor models.”

Ford: No plans for a fourth-generation Focus RS | Autocar

Low-volume hot hatch falls victim to increasingly stringent emissions regulations as firm confirms no replacement

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[FiestaST]

SEE | This mega-Ford fan owns all three generations of potent Focus RS cars - Here's which one is his fave

Earlier in April, Ford announced it would no longer be building its popular Focus RS cars. A sad day for many fans of the Blue Oval brand, and an end to an era.

Those who are fortunate to own any of these cars, officially now own collectors' items.

The automaker had also announced last year it would not not be bringing in the new-generation Focus models to SA, since their focus remains on the Ranger bakkie and its vast array of other products available in the local market. The Focus was just no longer a profitable product for the firm here in SA. Buyers are opting for the smaller Figo and Fiesta models, while the EcoBoost and Everest continues to do well for the brand.

So, as heartbreaking as the pill is to swallow for some, it does make business sense.

Wheels24 contributor Lance Branquinho wrote in his Focus RS tribute article: "For fans of Ken Block and blue oval performance cars, this is disappointing, but it also allows us to celebrate the terrific legacy that Ford's Focus RS cars will leave."

All three generations

A Wheels24 reader from Cape Town, who would like to be referred to as P-Dubs as he is known in racing circles, responded to the article and wrote to us about his prized-possessions, all three of them.

SEE | This mega-Ford fan owns all three generations of potent Focus RS cars - Here's which one is his fave | Life

'If I need to choose a favourite, it has to be the second-generation RS. But it really is a difficult choice because whenever I drive any one of them, they remind me why I bought them in the first place' writes this multi-Focus RS owner.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

 

[6spdmanual]

Would this be a good buy second hand?

 

[FiestaST]

Very much so. Relatively little units brought in for a few short years. Legendary status.

 

[FiestaST]

 

[JSparrow]

Would this be a good buy second hand?

Take the VIN number to Ford and check the history.

I had a customer who wanted to trade in a 2019 Model with 48 000km. Ford did not even want to give us a cover price as the engine has had massive failures. Ford also had one on their floor which had 3 engine replacements.

Customer was so pissed off because all this was "news" to him.

 

[Wasabee!]

Funky looking car, but R550K ??? I'd rather buy a 135 / 235

Quoting this 2015 comment as this in conjunction with emissions is what killed the RS.

 

[FiestaST]

Modern Classics | Ford's 257kW Focus RS is a hot hatch worth remembering

Modern Classics | Ford's 257kW Focus RS is a hot hatch worth remembering | Life

The Ford Focus RS was a hot-as-fire hatchback when it arrived locally in 2016, but can now only be bought on the used car market.

www.news24.com

 

[FiestaST]

Ford Focus RS! The best hot hatch money can buy? Or Overhyped? - LibeRebil

 

[FiestaST]

AutoTopNL review of a 440 bhp Focus RS

 

[6spdmanual]

Lmao! This was 700K brand new in 2016. Ford priced themselves out of favour. Explains why we don't get the new Fiesta ST (I don't believe that fuel quality excuse) and the new generation Focus.

 

[FiestaST]

Will it drift? Ford Focus RS | 4wd hot hatchbacks part 3 | Autocar

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1489695023310508039

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1513461356028170240

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564893543499440128

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565378296824664065