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Ford Focus RS meets its ancestors... Watch Video

"....Far and away the best front-wheel-drive drivers' car that's ever been built ..."

Really? Far and away? I distinctly remember reading a twin-test with the R26R that said the Renault was the better, more agile drivers car but was too much of a compromise for everyday use...in which case it's still the better drivers car. No?

 

 Frankel,

This has to be the most boring and uninformative piece of automotive whatever I've ever seen.

Better to let Sutty do the driving and reviewing. ALso have you lot ever heard of the Honda Integra R or the Civic type R jdm?

Also how about trying the Megane r26r with some all weather tires, see if it makes the everyday drivers mark? Or does Ford not allow for such a comparison? Oh that would cost some money for tires, forgot. 

Poor work. And to think there are millions of people around the world who actually work exceptionally hard for their earnings. What could you bunch do if you worked like that?>  J

I prefer the Escort cause I'm old skool :-)

jl4069:

This has to be the most boring and uninformative piece of automotive whatever I've ever seen.

jl4069:

 Frankel,

This has to be the most boring and uninformative piece of automotive whatever I've ever seen.

...

 

-1 :-)

michael knight:

"....Far and away the best front-wheel-drive drivers' car that's ever been built ..."

Really? Far and away? I distinctly remember reading a twin-test with the R26R that said the Renault was the better, more agile drivers car but was too much of a compromise for everyday use...in which case it's still the better drivers car. No?

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

There is also the R26R's smaller sibling, the Clio 200cup, Honda Integra Type R, VW Scirocco etc. Heck, I'd even take the bog standard Golf GTi over the RS. No, it's not as fast or hardcore, but strikes a much better ride/handling compromise for my needs.

Don't get me wrong, the RS is a damn fine hatch and full marks to Ford for putting 300bhp through the front wheels so manageable. But the best ever? I don't think so. But then again, Andrew Frankel automatically declares anything with a Ford badge as the best thing ever.

What about proper RS Fords???

I once owned in 1972 when I was 28 the ex Frank Williams RS Mexico Group 1 car from 1971.  This was the LeMans Green F1 Team Managers car from the Brands Hatch race in 1971.  VWhy should I be intertested in this lattter day 4WD / FWD stuff??.  Come on mention the best RWD RWD cars Mexico, RS2000 and RS3100 Capri?

 

that drag race looked fixed to me surely the new rs should destroy the cossie off the line?!?!?!?

Overdrive:

michael knight:

"....Far and away the best front-wheel-drive drivers' car that's ever been built ..."

Really? Far and away? I distinctly remember reading a twin-test with the R26R that said the Renault was the better, more agile drivers car but was too much of a compromise for everyday use...in which case it's still the better drivers car. No?

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

There is also the R26R's smaller sibling, the Clio 200cup, Honda Integra Type R, VW Scirocco etc. Heck, I'd even take the bog standard Golf GTi over the RS. No, it's not as fast or hardcore, but strikes a much better ride/handling compromise for my needs.

Don't get me wrong, the RS is a damn fine hatch and full marks to Ford for putting 300bhp through the front wheels so manageable. But the best ever? I don't think so. But then again, Andrew Frankel automatically declares anything with a Ford badge as the best thing ever.

Indeed.

I think what Frankel (and more than a few others) are doing is confusing the best driving FWD cars with fast FWD cars.

Fast is fine, and I'm sure the RS is a decent blast. But, as Sutcliffe recently proved, a powerful FWD car is no match for a lesser powered FWD car on the twisty stuff (which, after all, is what such cars are all about, surely), particularly if driven in a slightly demented way.

Come to think of it, I'd say the best ever FWD car in terms of fun, handling and point-to-point ability on a B road (especially one you know well) is the Issigonis Mini, particularly one fitted with a tweaked motor.

simon955:

that drag race looked fixed to me surely the new rs should destroy the cossie off the line?!?!?!?

 

You must have overlooked the fact that only the Cossie is four wheel drive in this company which gives it huge advantage off the line.

Fast as new RS may be, I actually think in real driving conditions on B-roads, on poor, dirty, and especially wet surfaces, the Cossie might be faster thanks to its ability to put down ALL the power with the new RS struggling for traction. Shame Ford withdrew from the plan to make the new RS 4WD.

JackB:

Fast as new RS may be, I actually think in real driving conditions on B-roads, on poor, dirty, and especially wet surfaces, the Cossie might be faster thanks to its ability to put down ALL the power with the new RS struggling for traction. Shame Ford withdrew from the plan to make the new RS 4WD.

Good job Volvo are making one then, Now that will be an interesting twin test. Volvo officials told U.K. magazine Autocar the über C30 will deliver over 300 horsepower and feature all-wheel-drive. (Recent rumors have indicated Volvo might deliver as much as 350 hp). Production will be limited to 4500 units over four years.