2016 AWD Focus

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: horse123
I don't have the link but it's on /r/Subaru right now if someone wants to see it.

http://blogs.youwheel.com/2015/02/06/hot-hatch-war-begins-2016-focus-rs-wrx-sti-golf-r/

 

[buster]

Quote:
The WRX STI has the best AWD system among the three: it has a true planetary-gear center differential (rear-biased) with electronic multi-disc clutch to act as slip control. As we have mentioned in our previous AWD system review, this is a rather advanced design, currently Lexus IS/GS and also the Porsche Cayenne are using this same design in their center differential.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: horse123
So I read an article comparing the AWD system on the golf, focus, and STI. Golf basically isn't really awd except for short periods of time when it's needed. Focus is a bit better. STI is still the best by quite a bit. I don't have the link but it's on /r/Subaru right now if someone wants to see it.

That article seems to be more theoretical rather than empirical. Continuing with that however, in the end I think the system chosen by Ford for the RS has more potential on the road than the active control of the center diff combined with passive axle LSDs on the STI.

 

[horse123]

Well of course the article is about on-paper performance, how are they going to compare a car that isn't out yet? Of course you can say the performance may or may not be different in real life, but AWD is one of those things that on paper translates pretty well to real world, so just for that aspect of the car, it's probably pretty spot on.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Mykl
Originally Posted By: dailydriver

Same here, and I have you beat by almost 2 years.

The only thing that has kept me out of the 'rally twins' (EVO/STI), is the Nippon nameplates.

(I'm allowed to think that way, despite the flaming for it, on this site and elsewhere.

)

It is really cool that a domestic nameplate is FINALLY offering a real, rally type ride, IN THE USA!!

Even if the car is just as un-American as the Nippon twins?

Nameplate origin doesn't mean much these days. A Ram is a truck built by an old Italian company currently HQ'd in Britain.

Sure, I think Ford is building cool stuff these days too, but to say that the Focus RS is anything other than European seems to be disingenuous.

In addition, I would think the AWD Focus would end up being developed in some U.K. division of FoMoCo. After all, the past few Ford rally cars were made in the U.K.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

In addition, I would think the AWD Focus would end up being developed in some U.K. division of FoMoCo. After all, the past few Ford rally cars were made in the U.K.


I seriously doubt and decent small car would be developed ever again in the USA. All the major makers import the engineering including Ford, Chrysler(Alpha really), and GM. They proved over and over again small cars not the forte.

 

[pbm]

IMO, Ford is the best domestic maker right now....that's why I just bought a 2014 Focus (M/T of course)....

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Mykl
Originally Posted By: dailydriver

Same here, and I have you beat by almost 2 years.

The only thing that has kept me out of the 'rally twins' (EVO/STI), is the Nippon nameplates.

(I'm allowed to think that way, despite the flaming for it, on this site and elsewhere.

)

It is really cool that a domestic nameplate is FINALLY offering a real, rally type ride, IN THE USA!!

Even if the car is just as un-American as the Nippon twins?

Nameplate origin doesn't mean much these days. A Ram is a truck built by an old Italian company currently HQ'd in Britain.

Sure, I think Ford is building cool stuff these days too, but to say that the Focus RS is anything other than European seems to be disingenuous.


Whatever.

But for those of us who lusted after the Escort Cossie RSes back in the day, and were not allowed to have them in this country legally, on the street (yes, except for a few shady, 'gray market' importers/converters), this car is is a BLESSING!

(and it STILL has a domestic manufacturer's badge on it, versus a Nippon one, so say what you will, but I personally take some pride in that)

 

[horse123]

Originally Posted By: pbm
IMO, Ford is the best domestic maker right now....that's why I just bought a 2014 Focus (M/T of course)....


Funny joke. Ford is heading toward the worst. GM has been getting better for several years, and Chrysler seems to be starting to try to fix themselves.

Engine reliability does not a good car make. Everything else on Fords fall apart after 2 years.

 

[Mykl]

Originally Posted By: horse123
Engine reliability does not a good car make. Everything else on Fords fall apart after 2 years.


Anecdotal, of course, but... in my seemingly non stop Autotrader searching (for no real reason, just because), it does seem like certain parts of Ford's interiors don't hold up too well. The coating on high touch surfaces like buttons and knobs seem to wear off a lot faster than you'd expect.

I can't comment on how well screwed together they are otherwise. Panel fit is hard to observe through pictures, and obviously you have to have test driven a few to get an idea of how many rattles have developed as the chassis has worn and loosened up.

I still wouldn't hesitate to buy a Ford if it was the car I needed at the time. But I wouldn't expect the interiors to wear as well as my VW has.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: horse123

Funny joke. Ford is heading toward the worst. GM has been getting better for several years, and Chrysler seems to be starting to try to fix themselves.

Engine reliability does not a good car make. Everything else on Fords fall apart after 2 years.


Can't agree on Ford as they have been perfectly average for years according to those that track those things. And have to LOL about falling apart after 2 years. I've got an 03, 10, and 11 that are not falling apart yet. If I've spent $200 on non-maintenance items for the Taurus in it's 84k, that's a lot.

Chrysler is still bottom of the barrel where it has been since...Well, Forever.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: horse123

Funny joke. Ford is heading toward the worst. GM has been getting better for several years, and Chrysler seems to be starting to try to fix themselves.

Engine reliability does not a good car make. Everything else on Fords fall apart after 2 years.




Chrysler is still bottom of the barrel where it has been since...Well, Forever.


I think you have that last bit wrong

Chrysler is by far the best manufacturer on the planet. They have never had a vehicle with any electrical gremlins. In fact, they are well known for their bulletproof transmissions!

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: Miller88

I think you have that last bit wrong

Chrysler is by far the best manufacturer on the planet. They have never had a vehicle with any electrical gremlins. In fact, they are well known for their bulletproof transmissions!


STOP THAT! I nearly ruined my keyboard. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: horse123
Originally Posted By: pbm
IMO, Ford is the best domestic maker right now....that's why I just bought a 2014 Focus (M/T of course)....


Funny joke. Ford is heading toward the worst. GM has been getting better for several years, and Chrysler seems to be starting to try to fix themselves.

Engine reliability does not a good car make. Everything else on Fords fall apart after 2 years.



Don't tell my neighbor that GM is getting better...he traded in a 2011 Equinox because of engine rattle and now his 2014 Equinox has transmission issues...he's not happy with GM right now. I traded a Chevy Cruze because I couldn't take the smell (and loss) of coolant.

 

[rjundi]

Weird idea on brands being poor.

I know people with every brand and have 10+ yr old vehicles in rusty new england even Chrysler and Fords etc. They all seem about the same as they age if taken care of. My only real observation are MB, Audi, Saab BMW and Volvo's can be excessively expensive to repair as they age. The folks I know who own old European are not smart with money (at all) or have so much money they could care less about repairing them.