Ford Focus RS test drive since 2008 hatchback

Ford Focus RS. Minimum maximalism

Ford Focus RS. Price: from 1,500,000 rubles. On sale: since May 2009
During the premiere test on the azure bank of France, the new Ford Focus RS caused a whole gamut of conflicting feelings: from easy rejection to unconditional admiration. A two -day acquaintance with the model was enough to understand: before us is another bestseller from Ford, also published in a limited circulation
Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 31 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 12 years, personal car - Volvo C30
Car journalists are spoiled, capricious. To impress the new model, and even more so to impress representatives of the media in the very heart of the automakers are extremely rare. But for some reason, I was not at all surprised when, at the end of the premiere test drive, the new Ford Focus RS on the Cote d'Azur of France, my Co-Dister went to Ford managers with the question: is it possible to order one of the first RS today to appear in Russia in May? The car is really wonderful! True, at first he made a very ambiguous impression on us. But there were reasons for this.
On the first day of the test, we got a car with a mileage of 6000 km with slightly set on fire brakes and a broken suspension. All this was not in the best way combined with a powerful 305 -horsepower engine and sharp as a razor blade with handling. Even mountain serpentines of the Cote d'Azur did not allow Focus RS to enjoy the dynamic qualities of Focus RS. On the relatively smooth mountain roads of the French Riviera, a hard, almost picture suspension shaken the spirit, introducing themselves as absolutely unacceptable for Russia. And the settled brakes were forced to reinsure at the entrance to the slow studs. Moreover, the not very comfortable location of the parking brake lever made it difficult to actively adjust the car in the bend of the handbrake. As it turned out the next day, the problem was not in the design of RS as such (except perhaps the location of the handbrake), but in a particular car. As soon as we moved behind the wheel of his brother- the twin, on the odometer of which was the figure of 2000 km, everything fell into place: a reasonable-fierce, much more comfortable than on the same Mazda3 MPS, a suspension and tenacious subtle (!) Brakes added harmony and completeness to the portrait of the car. In addition to admiration, the Focus RS management process has no longer caused any other emotions. The only thing that left the shadow on the bright image of the Ford Focus RS is the issue of the suspension and brake resource that is not solved. In fairness, it should be noted that with aggressive driving in the mountains, it is not possible to kill both for 6000 km of labor. But to a different control style of RS and does not have
Initially, starting to develop the new RS, Ford studied the possibility of using the existing Focus ST engine. But forcing this motor could not provide the power and moment necessary for the RS model, threatening, moreover, a noticeable decrease in the resource. As a result, taking the ST motor as a basis, the RS Duratec engine with new pistons and laying the cylinder head, spraying wear -resistant metal to the surface of the cylinders, a new distribution and, finally, with connecting rods that allow the use of enlarged bearings, was built. But this is only half the age. The key to the high-power and moment of the motor in the first inch was the new inlet system, the exhaust manifold and the increased Borg Warner K16 turbocharger with a constant maximum dodging pressure of 1.4 bar, which is twice as much as on Focus ST. The result of all these changes was a power increase of 35% to 305 liters. With. at 6500 min-1. The maximum torque grew by 38% to 440 nm in the range of 23004500 min-1. To emphasize the sports nature of the model, electronics even allows you to twist the motor up to 7050 min-1, but without fanaticism: if you do not switch to the highest gear within 3 seconds, a limiter that reduces the momentum to 6500 min-1 will work.
Unlike the engine, with regard to the transmission, which is also based on the ST models, Ford cost only cosmetic updates. The bearings and the clutch body, as well as the helicoid differential of increased friction of Quaife, inherited from the previous generation Focus RS and adapted to the 6 -speed KP, were subjected to minor changes. The transfer numbers remained the same as on ST, only the main program was lengthened by 1%. A funny, at first glance, change, coupled with high engine speeds, allows Focus RS to overcome a high -speed line of 100 km/h already in second gear.
In general, all the elements, in one way or another associated with the dynamics of the car, are thought out to the smallest detail from the motor to quite working anti -wing. But to everything else, which directly does not affect the dynamic characteristics of RS, the designers reacted very sparingly. On the one hand, it is clear: if possible, I wanted to reduce the cost of a car. And on the other hand, some of the minimalist elements of the plastic decoration of the cabin are very sharply contrasting with the expensive sports seats of the RECARO and the maximalist character of the car. The same can be seen by looking into the luggage compartment. The trunk itself is quite roomy 385 liters, but not without pitfalls. The first thing that attracts attention during the test on the serpentine, the absence of a pressing grid and even ears for its fastening. The RS design allows you to pass turns with fairly solid side overloads. And the sound hysterically beating about the side of the luggage compartment of the suitcase pleases the hearing much less than the sound of a sports motor verified to the note. The absence of a docking is also depressing. In case of puncture, there is a sealant. But this is for the summer. In conditions of minus temperatures, it is most likely that there will be no sense in it.

Revoknuckle, not Mcpherson
Traditionally, one of the main problems that arise when creating powerful front-wheel drive cars with a large amount of torque is the effect of power steering, which occurs at the exit of turns due to the difference in moment on the right and left wheel. In order to get rid of the interference of the steering mechanism, in the RS design, along with the expansion of the ruts for the first time in the serial production of the Focus model range, instead of the traditional McPherson racks, they used Revoknucle revolutionary suspension, which has been developed since 2001 for the Focus WRC rally car.
Unlike a traditional node with solid swivel fists, the Revoknuckle suspension consists of two separate elements: one is attached to the rack, the second rotates relative to the wheel rotation axis. The Mr.-shaped lower support is replaced by C-shaped, connected by two levers with a wheel tsapple, and the upper part with the counter. Thus, the familiar shock-surf-free stand, along with the lower lever of the suspension, not only determines the geometry of the suspension and control over the wheel, but also provides an additional axis of the rotary shkvorni, by analogy with a double-leaf suspension.

We do not love
The valve gas tank without a familiar lid opens with a fuel pistol, a branded Ford feature. Comfortable
Vertical boxes in the armor of the rear sofa drowned in the body are as functional as possible. Reasonable
To facilitate the design, many unloaded elements under the hood are made of plastic. Easily
 
Driving
The stunning sharpness of the reaction, a sports suspension and a powerful engine are able to enjoy driving and allow focus RS the highest score.
Salon
Quite democratic, and some elements look deliberately cheap.
Comfort
Despite the sporting nature, the suspension is quite comfortable. Recaro seats provide excellent side support.
Safety
All security systems are similar to Ford Focus ST.
Price
Noticeably higher than most competitors.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Revolutionary suspension, acute handling, amazing dynamics.
- Lack of docking and luggage mounts.

Specifications
Mark and model - Ford Focus RS
Dimensions - 4402x1842x1497 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2522 cm3, 305 hp/6500 min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 6 -speed
Dynamics - Max 263 km/h; 5.9 C to 100 km/h
Competitors - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Subaru Impreza Wrx, VW Golf GTI

Our opinion
Given the stunning dynamic-speed indicators of the model, a limited circulation of only 8,000 copies and the fact that in Russia Ford Focus RS will cost about 1000 euros cheaper than in Germany, even in a crisis, the car will most likely be dispersed as hot pies into a fierce freezing.
Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
 
 

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2009]