A Guide To The 2016 Ford Focus RS

    2016 Ford Focus RS - 
                   Hot Hatch? No, Hyper Hatch
    Model: 2016 Ford Focus            
    MSRP: From $35,900                        
    Engine: 2.3 L 4-     cylinder

    Horsepower: 350 hp

    Torque: 350 lb-ft                             
    0-60: 4.7 Seconds                             
    MPG: 19 city / 25      highway

    Tire size: P235/35R19
    Cargo volume: 23.8 ft³, 44.8 ft³ with seat area


The automotive world has been eagerly awaiting the release of Ford's latest project, one of its most ambitious projects to date. It was developed with input from professional rally driver Ken Block, and managed by the head of Ford Racing, Tyrone Johnson. It finally hit the showrooms this month, and we have the details.

  The cabin is not much better then what you get with the base $18,000 version, but you're paying for the driving technology in the RS, not a luxurious interior. It's a good thing it's not a terrible interior to start with. On par with the rest of the Ford lineup's, the new design is easy to navigate and feels sturdier than the entry level competition. A bit quirky maybe, some call it modern, but in the end, it works. The center display between your tachometer and speedometer will tell you anything you need to know. 

1. The Engine

They started with the Mustang’s EcoBoost 2.3 liter four-cylinder, but used a larger (yet lighter) twin-scroll turbocharger and a bigger intercooler. The result is an extra 40 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque, faster revving and more linear feeling engine. The cylinder head is made from a high-temp-resistant alloy, and the block has high-tensile cast-iron liners. The intake and exhaust are both revised for better flow, while an electronically controlled valve allows for more or less sound.

350hp and 350ft lbs of torque is a healthy amount, but what really gets the power down is the brilliant AWD system.


2. Not All AWD Is Created Equal

There are many kinda of AWD systems, but a 'torque vectoring' system is the most advanced and efficient, with the widest range of ways to distribute the power between all 4 wheels and making sure the least amount of engine power is wasted.  It's an AWD system built for cornering. It can transfer 70 percent of its power to the rear, and 100 percent to the left or right rear wheel within .06 seconds.

They tried the popular Haldex system, but after blowing it up a few times they went to GKN to build the best handling AWD system they could. - GKN

For fuel economy, it does a cool trick that disconnects the rear driveshaft if it can tell you're going to be cruising for a while- but can re-engage within 400 milliseconds if you brake, turn, or breathe too hard.

3. Driving Modes

"The driving modes allow you to customize six different parameters to radically transform the nature of the car from a daily driver to a track-day weapon. The driving modes in the Focus RS are far more aggressive than the "sport" button you find in most cars. You can also adjust the shocks independently of the Drive Mode by pressing a button on the end of the turn-signal stalk. Want to drive fast on a rough surface? Engage Track Mode and reset the shocks to Normal. Want to quietly slip though town in what feels like Sport Mode without waking the neighbors? Select Normal Mode, which quiets down the exhaust, and hit the shock button to put the suspension back into Sport. This sounds like a lot of work, but with dedicated buttons, it's easy. I was able to switch between drive modes, disable electronic stability control, and adjust the shocks all while lapping the track at 100 mph." - Road&Track

And then there's Drift Mode. Like Subaru's DCCD system, it puts most of the power to the rear wheels, making it easy to effect and maintain oversteer. Drifting isn't mantadory, you might just prefer the feeling of a RWD bias. 

The trick suspension makes up a lot of the value of this car. It has valves in it that drastically change the stiffness of your ride at the touch of a button. Ford experimented with magnetic shocks at first, a popular choice among other manufacturers- but it didn't allow enough range of adjustment. 

Bonus: Launch Control

You hit a button on the steering wheel and scroll down through two menus to turn it on. Then you floor the car and let the needle bounce off the rev limiter. When you're ready to launch, just sidestep clutch and the car surges forward. The AWD locks the rear axle solid and you see 60 mph in 4.7 seconds in second gear.

Road Test Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43CXspHw5ew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuY88zVyi8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep6kzlNaAw0