2016 Focus RS

[xbacksideslider]

On a recent trip to Oregon, we rented a V6 Mustang. We didn't care for it; tolerable for the two of us but with a third person, nope. The retro dash bezels/brushed aluminum trim looked good but function? No good - sunlight always glaring back into your eyes, from just about any angle, couldn't get away from it. Then, the top of that deep dash too, glare bouncing backup onto the inside of the windshield, lots of windshield rake so a deep dash and then the pebble finish was semi-gloss, not flat enough, to absorb the glare. Basic stuff, total fail.

[Brakelate]

Again, remember what you are dealing with here; TETGE: ''...and, again, what other function, other that acceleration in a straight line, really is important in a vehicle?''

[SonicVenum]

Have you taken a test drive of each yet?

No, I wouldn't be in the market for either at the moment. Once I sell the Notch, I'll be used SUV shopping. Maybe down the line I'll pick one up used.

Funny, but I find it unusual that both cars would appeal to you and that you would apparently consider them as equal choices. I say this because the Focus is a hopped up four door sedan that actually is a practical family car of sorts while the Mustang is not at all practical for more than two people (don't believe me, you, and another passenger, get in the back seat of any Mustang and go for a fairly long ride) and with its small trunk opening, the newer Mustangs don't even haul stuff easily, like bags of mulch, for instance. In my eyes these are two entirely different rides. And, the Mustang with 435 HP should smoke the Focus in a straight line, and, again, what other function, other that acceleration in a straight line, really is important in a vehicle?

But, as I stated before, what do I know since I see many four door factory hot rods cruising around although almost all of them are driven by the younger set. Civic brought out a four door SI and I thought that it would never sell, but I see them all the time. So, I know nothing since the youths of America apparently do not share my aversion to four door cars, and they also do not favor a good healthy American V-8 over a turbo 4.

Yeah, I know it's weird. The reason I'd be interested in both is because right now we have two cars: the Notch, and an '05 Monte Carlo. The plan is to replace both with an SUV and some other car, probably something fuel economical. We just got a new pup, he's a 9-wk old boxer, so I'd definitely like to pick up something that can haul him with ease. And, we're hoping to get a family started within the next couple years, so we'll need at least one vehicle that can people-haul. So, my logic here is, if we got the Focus RS, it would serve as everything we need (and I want): it would haul people, and haul ass, all while being reasonably cheap on gas. Our other car could be anything. If I picked up a used Ford Escape, that would do the people hauling, and still be fuel economical enough so that I could get the Mustang as my car. Does any of that make sense?

Now, completely out of left field, here's a car I've been pretty much in love with since I saw one (in this color) on my block:




It's the Hyundai Veloster. It's a quirky looking little thing, and it's only three doors, but I freakin love it. The souped-up "Turbo" version has the standard 1.6L I-4 boosted by a twin-scroll turbo, and making 201bhp. And, it still gets an estimated 24/33 with the manual trans.

[Tetge]

Everyone that I know that owns, or has owned a hot turbo four always complains about the poor fuel economy. It seems that it take a certain amount of fuel to make a given HP and, high performance turbo vehicles can have quite a thirst. Of course, one can attempt to drive as if it is just a normal, non-turbo, economy engine, but, this too seems to be hard to do, and, it also raises the question of why to pay extra for a hot turbo model if you are going to pussy foot around to save fuel?

[SonicVenum]

If I were to get a turbo 4, I wouldn't expect 30+mpg. But, if it gets well into the 20s, that'd be fine by me. Our 3.8L V-6 Monte Carlo averages 24 mpg on pretty much every tank. That is mostly freeway miles, but that also includes some traffic. As long as we have one vehicle that matches or exceeds that fuel economy, we're golden. I only go into the office once or twice a month, so I don't need great fuel economy, especially once the bike is on the road.

[jhwalker]

I ran the piss out of that Ford Fusion with the turbo last summer. But when there was no reason to jump on it, I drove like I usually do. Plan ahead, avoid needing to floor it, and my memory is that I got 31+ mpg on that 3100 mile trip. In the mountains, 2 lane roads, when I needed to scoot, it scooted. NO complaints. In 2016 Terri and I plan to sort out the cars (the little CrossFox is at risk) and the Focus RS is on the short list.

[SonicVenum]

I like those new Fusions too. The "borrowed" Aston Martin front end looks so good. I had one in my rearview mirror today, and couldn't help admiring it.

[xbacksideslider]

The computers/sensors are so good now that high MPG can indeed be had by small displacement turbo engines.

They don't need to quench detonation with fuel, not nearly as much as before. They advance/retard ignition according to load, advance/retard valve timing also according to load. As a result, they can run more static compression ratio than before, so you can drive along with a high dynamic compression ration when you are out of boost - something the simple computers/sensors in my 1st generation Mopar turbo cars can't do. When I'm in conservation mode, running under vacuum, I only have 8:1 CR, with these new cars, they can manipulate the CR up to whatever the fuel will allow according to whether they are in cruising vacuum or in boost. In effect, dynamically, it is as if the car is naturally aspirated, running 13:1 but when the turbo hits, the overlap increases to in effect pull dynamic compression to match/offset the rising compression that the turbo is building as it builds it.

[SVTRonDogg]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/ne ... 350-lb-ft/

350hp/350lb-ft is the final number for the 2.3L RS

[Tetge]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/ne ... 350-lb-ft/

350hp/350lb-ft is the final number for the 2.3L RS

I heard that they are getting 400 HP out of the eco boost Mustangs, so, 350/350 is not out of the question. But, the link says that they are assuming that the numbers represent limited duration over boost operation. Still, it is a good power rating for a little car, although I bet it has a pretty substantial curb weight when all is said and done. And, it will be expensive as dealers will consider it a "golden" model and order it all optioned up and then tack on some extra profit to adjust to market value.

But, Masterblaster's, Evo's, are getting long of tooth, so I sent him the link as there are no more Evo's and the last of them are no less than $40K. Perhaps it is time for him to move to a Ford?