We've heard it a million times. Why doesn't Ford bring over the "good" Focus? There are many reasons, none of which we're going to get into here.
This is all about the 2009 Ford Focus RS now being introduced to European markets. Our own Alistair Weaver secured some seat time and filed a report.
It may not do much to convince Ford execs to bring it to this side of the Atlantic, but at least you'll get some feel for what Ford is capable of when it comes to high-powered hatchbacks.
First Drive: 2009 Ford Focus RS
minibro77 says:
12:12 PM, 03/ 5/09
Bottom line? Ditch the ten year old codger for this new fangled generation. The current Focus is long in the tooth. We don't necessarily need an RS but the ST would be a nice start. Really really good looking car. Ford of Europe has always been so lucky. This would complement FOrd's soon to be revamped lineup very nicely.
dougtheeng says:
01:56 PM, 03/ 5/09
I wish they sold it in NA.
jederino says:
03:24 PM, 03/ 5/09
I like it, I want it. Just not in goblin green. This is clearly competitive with the STI and EvoX at $36,000. However, if ST version had the sweet sound and a reasonable level of performance for around $24,000, I would be happy with that. Particularly with all the damp roads in Seattle, I don't know when I could use 325 ft-lbs of torque!
subytrojan says:
05:20 PM, 03/ 5/09
Very cool car! :thumbsup:
Please bring it across the pond, Ford! I want a new car I can pass at my local road course. :o)
firstwagon says:
05:37 PM, 03/ 5/09
I just can't understand why Ford won't sell this car here.
Instead they seem to think we just want rental cars like our Focus, Fusion and Taurus.
greenpony says:
05:37 PM, 03/ 5/09
Isn't the Focus platform going global in '10 or '11 anyway? Ever since 2004 people have been moaning "why can't we get the euro focus" when the vast majority have never driven one. They just want because it's different. If Ford had decided to produce it for North America in '04, it would probably be selling just as poorly as the current US-spec Focus. I wish Ford HAD brought it over, if only to shut up all the whiners who want anything they can't have.
jederino says:
05:53 PM, 03/ 5/09
Greenpony, you love this car as much as we do. We all love it. We are all individuals, and we each love the Focus RS as much as the other.
You cannnot argue that even this car's color proves that the grass is always, well, better... across the pond.
minibro77 says:
07:04 AM, 03/ 7/09
By greenpony on March 5, 2009 5:37 PM
"Isn't the Focus platform going global in '10 or '11 anyway? Ever since 2004 people have been moaning "why can't we get the euro focus" when the vast majority have never driven one. They just want because it's different. If Ford had decided to produce it for North America in '04, it would probably be selling just as poorly as the current US-spec Focus. I wish Ford HAD brought it over, if only to shut up all the whiners who want anything they can't have."
Well we do have this car here albeit in two different incarnations. Think Mazda 3 and Volvo C30. The Mazda 3 while not the same configuration (two door hatch) has done extremely well for them. The C30 is a nice car but cannot get around the stigma of being a Volvo. Volvo's are known for safety which is great but I don't feel "cool" telling people I drive a Volvo C30. Most people would be like "which Volvo is that?"