Ford Explains why the Focus RS is not AWD

[Sticky]

I totally agree with this and it is very similar to BMW thinking. More efficient, lighter, and quicker response.

[fundahl]

Can't watch the video yet, but I think it would be interesting and even profitable for them to offer an AWD version as serious competitor to the Mitsubishi EVO and the Subaru STI. Hell, I would be interested to buy one considering the looks, price, and handling, not to mention it is a practical daily car. If the after-market is anything like it is for the Mustang I would be able to build one hell of a 4-banger!

[Sticky]

Can't watch the video yet, but I it would be interesting and even profitable for them to offer an AWD version as serious competitor to the Mitsubishi EVO and the Subaru STI. Hell, I would be interested to buy one considering the looks, price, and handling, not to mention it is a practical daily car. If the after-market is anything like it is for the Mustang I would be able to build one hell of a 4-banger!

Well the point he makes is that if it was AWD it would no longer be as good as it is.

[fundahl]

Well the point he makes is that if it was AWD it would no longer be as good as it is.

He is trippin. Not as good as an ECONOMY car maybe, but this is supposed to be a PERFORMANCE version, and I think a properly engineered and priced AWD Focus RS would bring over some loyalists from Mitsu and Subi. Sorry but a rear biased AWD system is much better than going through a corner wishing you could apply more throttle..... Also, what happens when people start pushing 400+whp with FWD?

[Sticky]

He is trippin. Not as good as an ECONOMY car maybe, but this is supposed to be a PERFORMANCE version, and I think a properly engineered and priced AWD Focus RS would bring over some loyalists from Mitsu and Subi. Sorry but a rear biased AWD system is much better than going through a corner wishing you could apply more throttle..... Also, what happens when people start pushing 400+whp with FWD?

He's not tripping at all, he is right. They aren't going for the Subaru or Mitsu market, they are doing their own thing. The Focus RS has a hard core following and is true to its roots.

He explains what happens when people start pushing more with FWD The car has a pretty trick diff set up. However, you don't buy the Focus RS to make a drag racer, it is a canyon carver and feels better doing so than its AWD rivals.

[fundahl]

He's not tripping at all, he is right. They aren't going for the Subaru or Mitsu market, they are doing their own thing. The Focus RS has a hard core following and is true to its roots.

He explains what happens when people start pushing more with FWD The car has a pretty trick diff set up. However, you don't buy the Focus RS to make a drag racer, it is a canyon carver and feels better doing so than its AWD rivals.

I just don't understand how being in a tight turn, or a fast sweeper, already in understeer, it would be better to only have FWD. I have driven an STI with stock drivetrain, and it will understeer slightly, but once you step on the throttle or you pitch the car in right it will hold a drift while still pulling you out of the turn, due to AWD. A FWD setup will never be able to accomplish that. Yeah, you can slide in with FWD and counter it by applying throttle to pull the front back in place, but it is nothing like pulling from each corner and being able to maintain that slip angle. Look at the "How to drive AWD" video I posted, it's good example of what AWD can accomplish that a FWD or even RWD setup would not be able to do. I would have to drive a RS and EVO before I can agree that it carves better in stock form, and by drive I mean Porsche Club or autoX, and that is somewhat irrelevant anyways because the car will eventually become modded.

[Sticky]

I just don't understand how being in a tight turn, or a fast sweeper, already in understeer, it would be better to only have FWD. I have driven an STI with stock drivetrain, and it will understeer slightly, but once you step on the throttle or you pitch the car in right it will hold a drift while still pulling you out of the turn, due to AWD. A FWD setup will never be able to accomplish that. Yeah, you can slide in with FWD and counter it by applying throttle to pull the front back in place, but it is nothing like pulling from each corner and being able to maintain that slip angle. Look at the "How to drive AWD" video I posted, it's good example of what AWD can accomplish that a FWD or even RWD setup would not be able to do. I would have to drive a RS and EVO before I can agree that it carves better in stock form, and by drive I mean Porsche Club or autoX, and that is somewhat irrelevant anyways because the car will eventually become modded.

Well, it is lighter, and it responds faster. It really doesn't understeer until you push it pretty far.

STI's and EVO's understeer as well, not like they are any better.

Yep, I would have to drive an RS and EVO back to back as well. However, we have professional testers who have done it and the Ford Focus RS is being routinely picked over all the other cars in its class. The Fifth Gear review states that is the best car out there in its class. Top Gear states that it is the most fun for the money, period. Ford could have given it AWD, they knew what they were doing.