Focus RS

[Woppum]

I had a quick blast in one this morning. I was very optimistic, but I am sad to say it did not meet expectations. I past a garage the other day and noticed this prize specimen in the forecourt. I checked in a booked a test drive for this morning. The car was an early 52 Reg, and had 11500 miles on the clock, price a staggering £19,950. This was obviously too much as there were no extras, and the car had scuffs on all four wheels.

When I first got in to the car I was immediately disappointed, the interior was placcy and my fingers seem to stick to every bit of fake leather making my fingers feel violated. The seats were supportive, but the alcantara was covered in stains and the tacky blue lining was starting to make me feel sick. The radio looked like something out of a Ford Ka, with only a 6 CD changer to distinguish.

Then I start up the engine, a faint purr is made in the background (not the same an ST Miltek). I depress the clutch, and immediately I realise I have been spoilt with the golf, as the Fords is so heavy and bouncy, finding the biting point was harder than expected.

As I pull out on to the road, I floor it; first nothing, the car feels like an ordinary Focus, then as you get to just under 3k, the car starts blitzing in to life, by 4k you have to hold very tight because the wheel has a mind of its own. Not only that it caught me by surprise, making me almost go off the road. Don’t try accelerating out of a junction round a corner!! Best thing to do is get straight and then put on the power.

As we got off the 30 roads and on to the twisties, you start to see the point of this car, it feels planted, and really what the car was made for. Its composure is exceptional for a front wheel drive car, no roll and on rails. Feedback thorough the wheel is good (yet you cant help thinking, ‘is this just torque steer?’)

My conclusion to the car was, it was a very demanding car, which can no doubt be rewarding, but as an every day trusty mobile, it would be too much for me to handle. The clutch you would get used to, but the torque steer was scary and seemed dangerous. The interior was horrible, and the exhaust was tame. Comparing the car to the Golf isn’t easy as they are two very different cars. The focus is defiantly far more focused on being a track/hardcore mobile forcing you to put more effort in to driving than is officially needed. The Golf seemed faster (stage 2) by a considerable margin, even considering you have to change in to 3rd to get to 60. You have to bear in mind I am used to the golf and not the focus, but I think I could drive the golf faster around most roads comfortably. Possibly when you get used to the torque steer, the focus’s potential is greater, but from first experiences…

I may get shot for saying this but compared to the golf; it makes the focus seem overpriced. Inside my girlfriend said it looks just like the car she learnt to drive in, and more importantly, feels like it to drive before the turbo kicks in. The base golf which is just over 2k more expensive gives you bucket more for your money, at the same time as offering a higher quality of interior. Maybe the Ford is overpriced by a couple of K???

Admitantly the ford looks better form the outside (personal preference), but I know where money was while making the choice. In fact the owner of the garage said he would take the golf 10 times over, and didn’t like the RS.

Still a great drive and good experience, but if looking for a car like that, I can only think the EVO or Impreza are a far better drive. I drove the Evo 8 FQ300 a while back, and found the interior to be nicer, more space, 4 wheel drive, no toque steer and a lot faster. The Impreza which is around the same price for the STI, I imagine would offer better kicks, more safely.

The RS has a cult enthusiasts following, and is a good car, just not for me.

Hope this made sense

Wopps