Would You Buy a 305-Horsepower Ford Focus RS?

How do we let Mr. Salenbauch know that we want this car?

"Would you buy a 305-horsepower Ford Focus RS?"

Yes. What would it cost? But yes.

300+ hp and FWD? No thanks.

If the price point can be comparable to a Mazdaspeed3, then it might work in low volumes. I would check it out. They should have brought one over for NYIAS. Don't rely on the internet.

Normally FWD=No...but for the RS...I would have to say yes, yes....one of the best cars that Ford makes...

Yes, Yes, Hell yes?

That depends.

$25,000... I would definitely test drive one and seriously consider the purchase if I liked what I drove.

$30,000... I probably wouldn't even test drive one.

$35,000... I definitely wouldn't even test drive one.

I wish Ford would stop test marketing this stuff and just sell the damn car.

They have the WRX, Evo, GTI, and Mazdaspeed 3 to use as pricing targets.

There is clearly a demand for this type of car at the right price. They can compete or they can't. If they can hit the price point they should sell plenty.

2010 Camaro has 300 ponies and a 6 speed for $22K AND rear wheel drive. Unless it was a bargain below $25K, I doubt it would sell well in the USA.

^ Well, yes, but it does get better gas mileage.

I'd probably more interested in the slightly less in-your-face Focus ST.

*be more interested...

That said, I'd love to see Ford bring the RS over.

I'd think about it, but not for $36,000.

What Im wondering is if this Focus RS would outshine the current Mustang GT in overall performance?

I know the RS would have an entirely different customer base, however, if Ford does decide to bring this car here the Mustang GT's performance would have to make a significant jump.

With hot domestic compacts like Chevy's (awesome performing) turbocharged Cobalt SS this Focus should be already on our shores along with its lower trimmed siblings. I say BRING IT!

The US should have had this all along, not the warmed over 1998 Escort 're-design' we have now.

For all the muscle car fanboys out there: not everyone wants the stigma of driving a Camaro. I certainly don't. Yes, it offers plenty of power for a decent price ... but it's a bit too "American."

The Focus RS is a techno tour de force with a wonderfully boosty turbo-5 and a trick front suspension. I think it's heaps cooler than the Camaro and Challenger yank tanks.

I'm 22, and in the past I said I would never buy a new Ford, but if this were brought over, I would happily buy a NEW Ford.

For the right price. Keep it right around $30k to scare the Mustang/Camaro lot, as well as the 128i/Mini JCW crowd as well.

Bring.It.

I probably wouldn't. FWD FTL.

Pricing, Pricing, Pricing, Pricing.
$22K yes; $30K no.

I just want them to bring over the hatch form -- even without the super-performance mods.

Are you kidding!?! There's GOT to be interest in this! Price it somewhere around the Camaro, Genesis Coupe, and Mazdaspeed3! The only problem i see with it is the FWD aspect. Aside from that, if you price it right, say, $21k-$25k- you might have a winner.

if I was in the market for a car like that and it was priced around the same as the competition then I would def look at it. been hoping for this to come state side

I would seriously have to consider this over my 2010 Mustang GT purchase. I would say that there would be a large ammount of interest for this vehicle in the states, In fact - I remember seeing tons of "AW MAN!" posts on articles that explained how the RS was Europe only.

Not interested. Maybe if it was ten years ago.

I currently own a 2008 Volvo C30 2.0, and a 2003 SVT Focus prior to it. I would gladly buy a Focus RS if Ford brought it across the pond.

The price will probably be fundamental in its acceptance since people won't want to pay anything close to 30 USD for something that does not have AWD, but it's continued success will depend on how efficient dealers are at stocking/getting parts and replacements.

Over here in Mexico, a friend bought a Fiesta some time ago, and altough the car was pretty good, he was constantly let down by the dealership saying "they couldn't get the part" or "the part has to be brought from England" or similar comments. Peugeot had the same parts supply problem, so any low volume Euro Fords need to have such a issue solved.

* 30,000 USD

a car for 30 bucks would fly off the dealership lots lol.

I am definitely interested, but not gremlin green. I'd take it in electric Ford Blue, or metallic charcoal pearl.

The front-wheel drive doesn't instantly turn me off. It's all about the chassis feel, tuning and handling dynamics.

I probably would be more inclined to the ST version, just as I would prefer a WRX over the STI or EVO. And, I would prefer this Ford over the Camaro, assuming it will be far more responsive and have greater visibility and ergonomics. The Camaro is better looking, but rear-drive does not instantly make it a better car, in my book. Mind you, I purchased an Infinity G35 after driving a well-tuned Maxima for 11 years, and rear drive was a big consideration for me, but FWD cars can be tuned wonderfully.

I would definitely be interested, but it depends on the price.

anything sub 30K would be alright by me :D

Yes, yes and yes. Especially if it was priced like the Mazdaspeed 3 and Cobalt SS. I would not pay more than $26k for this car. I would really dig it if it beat the Cobalt SS for the fastest fwd Nurburgring lap.
What mpg does it get?
I'll take it in white or dark gray, maybe kermit green. ;)
Been waiting for the Focus RS since they hosed us with the mediocre SVT Focus.

My GTI in stock trim with all season tires performed superbly at the track this weekend... it blew my mind and surpassed all expectations. It is so good, I won't even modify it aside from summer tires and some racing brake fluid. It blows away a WRX for sure...

I was passing everyone on the track and they argued with me that my car has faster acceleration... which isn't true. A drag race disproved that theory, as was the fact that a completely stock engined (no intake, exhuast, or anything) early model Mazda Miata with suspension and brakes was about even with me around the track.

I love it! For sure I'd rather have a Miata around a track, but if you have a family or just want more comfort and utility, a properly set-up FWD will not fail you on the track if driven properly.

This Focus RS must be insane... bring it on!!!

go ahead and bring it.

YES! If they make the decision to bring it, I will camp outside the Ford dealer to place my order.

Give me one in white. And I've got 2 friends that would take blue. Thats 3 sold.

Who do we think we're kidding? The guys who would claim to be interested in a evo priced focus hatchback are exactly the guys who will find a reason to not like the ford (suby and evo fans, euro-snobs, etc).

For example, the original focus was the same model sold in Europe, and it returned great sales there and relatively bad sales here (since we in the US bought us our civics and corollas instead). Moto-journalists always celebrate cars like the gti and astra, but they never return much sales here because they are out of touch with what american buyers actually want out of a sportscar or an econobox. Save Ford the time and money that we could have saved saturn and admit that this likely won't sell well here (despite how sweet it may look when out of reach).

Who keeps saying that these are gonna be Evo/STI priced? Everyone knows that a direct Euro to US price translation is inaccurate at best. I mean, hell, the Fiesta likely closest to what we'll be getting (Zetec-S Trim) goes for what, 13k in the UK? If that translated directly to US, we'll be paying almost 20k for a mid-range Fiesta. I call BS on the RS costing 30k+.

I'd pay between 25-30k given the amount of tech this car has, not to mention that the interior is likely better than the EVO and at least on par with the STI. Sure, it doesn't have AWD, but save me the weight and cost.

The fact of the matter is, Euro prices never translate directly to American prices, and that this car, while many of you don't or won't believe it, should be able to compete directly with the Evo/STI, if not in a paper race, but on an actual road in the least.

"I just want them to bring over the hatch form -- even without the super-performance mods."
+1

"For example, the original focus was the same model sold in Europe, and it returned great sales there and relatively bad sales here (since we in the US bought us our civics and corollas instead). Moto-journalists always celebrate cars like the gti and astra, but they never return much sales here because they are out of touch with what american buyers actually want out of a sportscar or an econobox. Save Ford the time and money that we could have saved saturn and admit that this likely won't sell well here (despite how sweet it may look when out of reach)."

Actually, the original Focus sold pretty well compared to its predecessor. Then Ford let it grow long in the tooth, then they "fixed" it by getting rid of the most practical versions, making it ugly, and making an even uglier coupe body. But they did add SYNC, which is the only reason they can still sell them.

Since I am a Mini JCW owner, I probably do not fit the standard American consumer. The kind that equates small with cheap. That mentallity, which is NOT shared in Europe, is the reason Europe gets cars like this and we get the Colbalt and ancient Focus.

Comparisons with the V6 powered Camero are ridiculous. Sure, both have roughly 300+, but the Camero weighs 700-800 lbs more. Ford could have tacked on AWD, with its weight penalty.

This car is a go-like-heck technological marvel. But until Americans are willing to pay for something like this (think more than $30K), we will continue to be stuck with the Calibers and Rios of the world.

The whole reason Ford had not brought the european focus to the US had been because of the price. They repeatedly stated that they did not believe the american public would be willing to pay premium prices for a compact ford. The reason the fiesta should be cost effective is because: a) it was designed to be a cost effective design in markets around the world b) the US version will be made in one of fords newer factories in mexico c) the thing uses little metal and has a tiny (cost effective) engine.

Bringing the Ford Focus RS to the United States should be a no-brainer forHermann Salenbauch. I have owned two Saab Viggen Sports Hatchback vehicles. One 1999 and one 2002. Driving a front wheel drive car with a large turbo and lots of torque I still dream about. In fact I have even considered ordering the Focus RS and importing a European spec. This car is fast! Under the Radar, it can fit a surfboard between the seats and the fuel economy is much better than our ever so boring Mustang. So lets continue this blog and win the battle of bringing this ever so desirable Ford Focus RS to the United States where FoMoCo began.

mmm torque steer yum yum!

"The decision not to pursue (four-wheel-drive) had nothing to do with cost...we were confident we could achieve everything we wanted to with front-wheel drive."

Yeah...same with the Mustang and its IRS right?

More important than a little torque steer is a competent and tossable chassis, and this RS promises that. The heavier RWD cars simply give up quite a bit of feel for a "proper" setup. And, this coming from a guy who drives a somewhat heavy G35. Bring the hot hatches!

One definite sale here. I love it, would sell my evo and buy. There is a big turbo community, it would sell very good if priced correct.