Driving Torque

It's All About The Motors.

Driving Torque

This is the YouTube page for Driving Torque - Articles, reviews and opinions about cars and all things automotive.
Go to www.drivingtorque.com

Driving Torque
Review by Ben Harrington from Driving Torque of the Suzuki Jimny SZ5
Suzuki Jimny Review
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_tBEwl0WmNRw
Watch as a Model X performs its Celebration Mode Easter egg in the snow
Tesla Model X Celebration Mode
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_Z04UK1MRXjE
This is what the exhaust tail pipe of a Ford Focus RS sounds and looks like when you accelerate quickly.
2017 Ford Focus RS Exhaust
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_QkKOE0J4baE
Another gratuitous exhaust video for you. This time it's the behemoth that is the Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG exhaust sounding immense
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_S7TdJrBe8aw
This is a Porsche Cayman in Sport Plus mode with a Sports exhaust, showing the exhaust revving and moving as the car is put through its paces. Great footage of over-run and even the heat haze from the hot engine.
Porsche Cayman PDK Sport Plus
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_8l_WTgJB0sk
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Ben’s Car CV
  • DTQ Partners
  • Contact

Ford Focus RS 2.3l Ecoboost Review

July 3, 2017 by benharrington Leave a Comment

 

Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue front side

You could argue that the Mustang GT sits atop the Ford UK ‘Blue-collar hero‘ tree but, let’s face it, despite now being officially sold here with the steering wheel on the right side, it’s still as American as apple-pie and unhinged heads of state.

No, on our little island, hot-hatches are king when it comes down to cheap thrills, and they don’t get much more thrilling than this: the Focus RS. The fact that the Mustang’s a Grand Tourer and the Focus is a Rallye Sport gives some idea of the two nations’ differing approaches to performance.

Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue side

How powerful is the Focus RS?

This is the third generation of the breed and Ford are obviously determined not to lose face in the power stakes as the Focus RS now produces 347 bhp. That’s still 30 more horses than the recently launched Civic Type R.

It’s powered by the same 2.3l Ecoboost engine found in the tamer Mustang, it’s just been turned up a notch. Or two.

Ford Focus RS Engine

AWD Focus RS

Thankfully, Ford have seen fit to grace the Focus RS with all-wheel-drive. Previous generations of the Focus RS have wrestled with the laws of physics solely through their front wheels with the use of RevoKnuckles etc.

347 bhp through the front wheels was deemed a step too far, though, and power is now managed by all four wheels via a clever torque-vectoring system. It’s a system that GKN Driveline of Sweden had a large part in developing and up to 70% of available power can be channeled to the rear wheels, dependent on demand.

Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue rear exhaust

Now, the mother of all Ford hot-hatches was never going to be subtle, and this optional Nitrous Blue hue that’s exclusive to the Focus RS is striking to say the least. The body sits nice and low on its adjustable ‘Öhlins Tenneco‘ suspension and the front of the car is a mixture of several geometric shapes which either house lights or allow precious cool air in.

Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue rear side

Hints of Cosworth

It’s when you get around to the back of the Focus RS that things get seriously eye catching, though. Fast Fords have a long-standing relationship with big wings and, aerial aside, the spoiler is actually the highest point of the car.

Properly cavernous twin-exhausts were once the preserve of aftermarket tuning companies; not anymore. The rear diffuser, twin pipes and wing all add up to give this Focus real drama. One thing the Focus RS doesn’t do is go OTT on the fins, slashes and scoops. Yes, there’s those in-yer-face performance add-ons but the lines are relatively clean and uninterrupted despite its obviously track-focused intentions.

Ford Focus RS Nitrous Blue spoiler

Focus RS Interior

A few alterations have been made to the inside of the Focus RS. There’s a pod sprouting from the dash which houses three performance-related gauges and if you go for that Nitrous Blue exterior, your seats get a few splashes of it, too.

Speaking of seats, there’s been a lot said about the Focus RS’ seating position, in particular its height. The facts are these; if you go for the standard Recaros, they ARE height adjustable. Pay £1145 for the Recaro ‘Shell’ seats with gaps for racing harnesses and ‘authentic motorsport microfibre’ instead of leather, and they’re NOT height adjustable. Personally, I’ve always found Ford’s standard Recaros plenty grippy enough and, at 6ft, I certainly welcome my head not bouncing off the ceiling.

Ford Focus RS Recaro seats blue

Focus RS Driving Experience

Right, onto the important stuff; how the Focus RS drives.

If there’s one point to remember about the Focus RS, it’s that this is a no-messing car that needs 100% participation to get the most out of it. Passive driving isn’t an option.

Press the start button and the engine rumbles into life, tick-over fluctuating and even sporadically missing as it warms up. There’s no automatic option for the Focus RS: like I said, you’re driving it, it’s not driving you.

Three modes; normal, sport and track adjust the settings of the AWD, dampers, ESC, ABS, steering and engine responses. They also give those exhausts more bark to go with the extra bite. There’s another option to firm up those Öhlins dampers for minimal roll. Be warned, though, even the Focus RS’ handbook states this is really a a track-only setting; it’s unyielding to say the least.

Ford Focus RS damper setting

Twin-scroll turbo

Extracting 347 bhp out of a 2.3l turbo-charged engine will incur a fair amount of lag, or so you’d think. Twin-scroll turbos produce more pressure in less time, thereby practically eliminating that awful delay. Want to get away even quicker? There’s launch mode to get everything spinning and circulating, ready to propel you from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, grinning wildly, no doubt.

Ford Focus RS boost gauges

Even in its most relaxed setting, the steering isn’t overly assisted, keeping that pure driving experience intact. Go up a notch into sports mode or even track and you may well be sitting a touch further forward than usual as you get to grips with the steering wheel as it reacts to every input from you and the tarmac.

The drivetrain makes 100 alterations a second to keep the Focus RS in line. It’s all very behind-the-scenes, though, leaving you – the driver feeling like something of a hero. Somewhat ironically, if you don’t want all of that AWD grip, there’s a drift mode to make the Focus RS do a venerable impression of a RWD car. Probably not a good idea away from the track, though.

Ford Focus RS wheel lettering

Should I buy a Focus RS?

Ford have pulled out all the stops to make the Focus RS the experience its customers expect. Want a rally-esque, spitting exhaust note, rather than an apologetic whir that’s had the life sucked out of it by a turbo? That’s exactly what you’ve got. It’s not going to do much for your mpg but the Focus RS will crackle and pop if you want it to. Unnecessary?- possibly. Fun? – unashamedly, and that’s exactly what the Focus RS is all about.

By Ben Harrington

Ford Focus RS Specifications

Engine – 2.3l 4-cylinder turbo-charged petrol, Layout – Front engine, 4WD, Transmission – 6-speed manual, Power – 347bhp, Acceleration – 0-62mph – 4.7s, Maximum Speed – 165mph, Maximum Torque – 470Nm, Economy – 36.7mpg combined, Emissions – 175g/km CO2, Price – £32,365 OTR

The Focus RS is available now. For full details go to: www.ford.co.uk

Filed Under: Driven, hot hatch, Review, Road Test Tagged With: AWD, civic type r, focus rs, Ford, Ford Focus, ford focus rs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Driving Torque

I'm Ben Harrington and I'm a car lover, freelance motoring journalist and family-man (I'll let you decide the order!) I started Driving Torque in 2010 to share my love of all things motoring with the wider world. Since then, … continue reading

Driving Torque’s Instagram Posts

driving_torque

We’ve spent some time recently with the crossove We’ve spent some time recently with the crossover it’s ok to be seen in - the All-New Subaru Outback. #subaru #outback #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the las Got to be honest, I didn’t think much of the last Honda HR-V. This goes back today, though, and I think I’ll miss it. #honda #hondahrv #carsofinstagram
Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day was this; the unashamedly macho Ford Mustang Mach 1. A full review will follow later this year, hopefully. #ford #fordmustang #forduk #carsofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Driving Torque’s Twitter Feed

Ben Harrington Follow

Freelance motoring writer and Editor of Driving Torque. @NGMWcars member. Classic VW owner. Husband and father to a wonderful wife and two amazing young ladies.

DrivingTorque
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
6h

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review #roadtest #crossover

Reply on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Retweet on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Like on Twitter 1543299467960532993 Twitter 1543299467960532993
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
1 Jul

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1542936828826763269 Retweet on Twitter 1542936828826763269 Like on Twitter 1542936828826763269 1 Twitter 1542936828826763269
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
1 Jul

https://buff.ly/3a464Wv #subaru #outback #review

Reply on Twitter 1542831103362404352 Retweet on Twitter 1542831103362404352 1 Like on Twitter 1542831103362404352 Twitter 1542831103362404352
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
29 Jun

https://buff.ly/3ObO4Z5 #honda #hrv #hybrid #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Retweet on Twitter 1542117432768299013 1 Like on Twitter 1542117432768299013 Twitter 1542117432768299013
drivingtorque Ben Harrington @drivingtorque ·
28 Jun

https://buff.ly/3lWtAH5 #ssangyong #tivoli #review #suv

Reply on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Retweet on Twitter 1541740446468243458 1 Like on Twitter 1541740446468243458 Twitter 1541740446468243458
Load More

© 2022 · DrivingTorque.com · Site designed and built by Kobestarr.com