2tone

iTrader: (3)

Ok, so it's only in Europeon markets (of course), and limited production to 500...but still...345 hp?! That's a mean hatchback! I know it's fwd, but I would think that amount of hp and high torque would mean closer to a 5 second 0-60, not 5.6 like article says.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-focus-rs500.html

Edit: the rear window is super angled...almost like a tc or rsx kind-of-hatch, not as upright as the ms3, or the standard focus from what i remember. weird; aerodymanic reason i'm sure.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I'll take a Cosworth Escort. Too bad we never got those though, kicks the **** out of a SVT Focus. But hey, it's still a Focus.

But this bitch is bad though.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

yeah, i think they did a great job on the "mean" factor. thanks for adding the pic 9k!

chino0314

iTrader: (12)

must not like......... damn she is pretty

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Such a shame Ford keeps these cars out of the US Market. They would sell well here and never understood their decision.

shizzlesled

We get cheap speed in other forms much much cheaper than overseas. Examples camaro, vette, stang, goat. I understand different car different class etc. But if ford brought this model here to replace the new focus im sre this car could easily cost 25-30k. A base model v6 stang in germany for instance is very pricey as well. We're talking ford Europe, not the shittier one we all know. Sucks; I saw quite a few Fords in mexico we dont get. Monaro and the Focus were sharp

MICHGoBlue

Umm, this car would not sell well in the States.

MS3 is targeted at a younger crowd who's taking out their first auto loan, which with a decent job out of college isn't too hard to take out a loan for $25,000.

Regular Focus RS translates into about $38,000 USD if converted from Euro, which I'm sure will drop to about $30,000 to $35,000 because of the economy, Ford badge, etc etc.

Price tag alone will hinder the sale. I'm not saying the young adults of America wouldn't welcome a 300+ HP FWD aftermarket wet dream, but I'm just saying able to afford one would be a totally different story.

As to people that can afford the price tag? Chances are those older folks will stick with a traditional RWD sports cars like the 370Z, Z4 and Boxters of the world..

dillsrotary

It would be ALOT less than 30k-35k in USD. Remember premium pricing for euro cannot be adapted for the US market.

MICHGoBlue

How can it be a lot less than 30-35 grand? Besides the top notch build quality, a few new technologies were also introduced in the Focus RS like its front wheel steering system that tames the violent torque steer that plagues the MS3? I mean, 30 thousand dollars is a great bang for the buck when it comes to what you get in this car.

Unless Ford wants to take losses just so they have a marquee performance vehicle to appeal the younger demographics for brand image and publicity, and hoping for brand loyalty when the boomers age.

stewiefied

euro fords to me have always looked cool

dillsrotary

The euro 5 door tdi Volks GTI is about 22,000 pounds which trades to about $32,000 usd. But the same car is sold here for $22,000, nearly a 33% less. The tech doesn't really matter (and as per top gears test doesn't really work.)

I would imagine the Focus RS here for about $25,000 starting prices. The limited version we see in this thread maybe 28K.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

it'd be great if they had the 3, ms3, and then a decked out limited edition ms3 something, like the r3 is to the 8 maybe, only with a bump in hp, etc.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

If the limited edition was RWD, that thing would sell like hotcakes and outsell likely both the 3 and MS 3

2tone

iTrader: (3)

^yeah, totally

if i was in the market for a fun/fast dd with space, i'd get a hatch in a heartbeat...and if this thing was here, i'd get it over the ms3 no question.

i think there's def a market for it, just look at the subi crowd. why ford things they can't get into that niche is beyond me. well, i guess b/c anything else will cut into mustang sales maybe, but that just seems dumb to me.

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

Dang that's a hot hatch.