Test Drive Ford Focus RS since 2008 Hatchback

Champion

Hot hatchbacks have become so much that the question of the vertical of power failed. Ford decided that the leader of the flock would be a new Focus RS

The last Ford RS, about which everyone spokes up. In those years, Subaru Impreza was just starting the way to fame, and German hatchbacks agitated for economy, so in fact, RS had no equal among competitors. Then followed the break until 2002, when the first generation Focus RS appeared. One of the most powerful hatchbacks of those years, he did not receive much recognition. Perhaps so the halo of fame around RS with time sweat
Today, Ford intends to restore the status quo among hot hatchbacks using the new Focus RS. Immediately after publishing official information on the beginning of the production of a novelty, the head of the sports unit Ford Team RS Yost Capito made a statement: the appearance of a new Ford RS is a significant event, this emblem is infrequently installed on a new car, and when it happens, the car simply must be excellent. In the lips, always restrained capital it meant: we created the best hot hatchback! To check whether it really is, we went to the southern coast of France, where insidious mountain serpentines will be able to impartially project ambitious Focus RS.

Large ambitions
First of all, it is necessary to find out what the Focus RS differs from the already familiar ST and other hot hatchbacks from the mill of competitors. On this question, the chief engineer of the project Dirk Densing replies, with difficulty holding back emotions: this is a completely new car, and we did everything so that it becomes special ... You should not compare it with the familiar hatchbacks, take it above! Apparently, Densing talks about Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - the descendants of the legendary rally heroes of the past days. Brave move! Until now, no golf-class hatchback gave a glove to representatives of the rally Olympus. After all, EVO and STI became largely glorified thanks to unique systems of full drive. And RS - front-wheel drive. Yes, and insanely powerful for hatchback with a drive per leading axis - 305 hp and 440 nm! Nevertheless, Focus RS is ready to provide good arguments in its favor.
He really does not look like st. Engine, transmission, suspension, body - everything has its own story, much more rich and dramatic than St and its competitors. Obsession by ideals of motor racing and engineering genius played a key role in creating this car. Already one thing is that this is the most powerful of the currently existing front-wheel drive hatch-becks, boldly applying to Lavra Impreza Sti, makes it truly unique. However, about everything in order.
The external similarity with the civil Focus ST is lost the greater, the longer you consider RS. He has extended arches, a plastic hood with ducts and a giant spoiler on the trunk lid. A fully new front bumper has a huge slot to ensure the deep breath of the intercooler, and the diffuser in the rear bumper plays an important aerodynamic role, because the maximum speed of RS is more than 260 km / h! The standard package includes 19-inch wheels with a dimension tires 235/35, specially developed by Continental for RS. You can order the wheels of smaller diameter, but in this case it is necessary to prepare for change in controllability. In addition, large wheels emphasize the Fighting RS appearance: if you stick the logos of some companies, others will surely think that the car participates in the real rally. Appearance is the strong side of the new RS.
But inside - the usual Focus. Front panel, door lining, instrument panel - all familiar shape and quality. Even the steering wheel from ST. Although they notice it later, and at first the look sticks to the RECARO sports buckets, which have a carbonistic base and combined upholstery from special sports fabric and non-slip skin. On mountain serpentines, tight side support served a good service, which, however, does not speak any difficulties when landing and disembarking from the salon. There are other differences between RS from the usual Focus. For example, a decorative trim under carbon and additional devices (temperature and oil pressure sensors, boost pressure), as well as the START ENGINE button, located next to the MCP lever. If you remember that we are still dealing with the Hatchback Golf Class, and not Pagani Zonda, then the dose of sports attributes is sustained true. There is nothing superfluous, and at the same time constantly felt charisma RS. You sit in a sports chair, hands touch the small chubby steering wheel and short-terrestrial mechanics lever, legs are based on aluminum pedals, and this sound RS sounds like yesterday it was about the last of the competitors and declares the victory. On the acceleration, the engine bubbles with five cylinders and doubles the turbine, and under the gas discharge, the bypass valve widespread. WRC orchestra on the road!
All this splits anticipation to the limit. If you stay in the parking lot, even some excitement arises: do I contact with this demon? But in the usual urban mode, RS is not much different from ST and is even more comfortable, for example, the same STI. The clutch drive is only elastic, but not a tight, the transmission is turned on without effort, and the engine pulls almost with idle speed. If you do not drive the tachometer arrow above 2500 rpm, the nerve cells will disturb only the rigid suspension, and fuel consumption will be about 10.5 liters per 100 km. The advantages should also be attributed to a large trunk, a practical interior and five stars for passive safety according to the Euroncap method.
And yet it is a sports car. The engine is created on the basis of ST power unit, but their relatives are only the number of cylinders and volume. RS has a stronger piston group, sports camshafts, upgraded inlet and oil cooling systems, as well as a nail of the program! - Borg Warner K16 turbine with a maximum pressure of 1,4 bar. This is one of the best spring engines. Spring because his main talent lies in an uncontrollable desire to give emotions. The enthusiasm of the turbine is already 1200 rpm, and by 2500 rpm All 440 nm, driven by a turbine whistling, reduce kilometers to meters. Elasticity in the zone of low and medium turns is akin to V8 decent volume. But the main show begins after 3000 rpm, when 305 horses get up on rapids and carry a gallop until 7000 rpm. Definitely, this is one of the best sports aggregates! But can the front-wheel drive chassis be able to not only perceive, but also convert power to ride pleasure?

Engineering magic
In 2001, Mark Simon, along with his colleagues from the Center for Research and Advanced Technology, began developing Revoknuckle technology intended for powerful front-wheel drive cars. In 2005, he tried the achievements on the Ford Focus Rally Car racing, developing a layout and kinematics of the suspension for him. And in 2009, Revoknuckle debuted on Focus RS serial. And this is a victory!
In fact, Revoknuckle technology combines the advantages of the double-particle suspension and the McPherson system. Just instead of the usual M-shaped suspension support, a C-shaped support is used, which is low to the hub, and from above - to the shock absorber. Thus, the shoulder of the run-in is reduced twice and the problem of power infringement is solved. All ingenious simply. But Ford has already patented Revoknuckle, so that competitors will have to invent something else.
In fact, Revoknuckle works more efficiently than on paper. When you read about achievements in the area of \u200b\u200bmanageability, you are always waiting for a trick. Miracles do not happen! However, Team RS really managed to direct the laws of physics for Focus RS. In the cunning roads of the southern coast of France, RS not only turns - he does it with pleasure! Such an agility, fascination and at the same time predictability are not waiting even when it comes to a full drive.
A big role in the Holiday Observation on the road was played by the Helicoidal Differential Quaife with a 40 percent lock, which was specifically designed for RS. After a number of changes made by TEAM RS engineers in the design of satellite teeth, Quaife began to work softer and more efficiently. Even under the full gas in turn, the steering wheel does not break out of the hands, and contrary to expectations the car rushes into apex turn. More recently, such a dynamics was compatible with a full drive only, but now RS rushes on winding mountain roads away from stereotypes! Revoknuckle works at the entrance, and at the exit - Quaife. Together they endow Focus RS truly a unique balance of acute and obedience.

Price of success
There are some more circumstances that make Ford Focus RS one of the most desirable car hot categories. For example, steering, which makes only 2.3 turns from the stop until it stops. Or a fairly modified ST gearbox with improved switching quality. A separate mention deserve brakes: in front of 336-millimeters, from behind 302-mm discs. Improved ABS and ESP systems. As a result, we have an efficient and easily controlled deceleration in any situation.
However, it admires not so much a list of refinement as the quality of their performance. Focus RS drove more than 8,000 km in combat mode on the northern loop of Nürburgring, underwent fierce tests on the Ford Test Polygon and became a decent successor of the best from the legendary Ford RS. Comparative tests with competitors are still ahead, but RS has already booked one of the places on the podium. How much does it cost? It is much more important that no more than 8,000 cars will be released.

Specifications Ford Focus RS
Dimensions, mm.
4402x1842x1494.
Wheel base, mm
2640
The volume of the trunk, l
385
Curb weight, kg
1468
engine's type
gasoline L 5 with turbocharged
Working volume, cube. cm
2522
Max. Power, hp / rpm
305/6500
Max. Moment, nm / rpm
440/2300-4500
Transmission
mechanical 6-speed
Drive unit
on the front wheels
Max. Speed, km / h
263
Overclocking time 0-100 km, with
5,9

Stanislav Goncharenko
Photo by the author
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A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"