Coming to America, with more RS.

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yoda5

Member
Dec 10, 2014
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Good news, and rumors of an AWD drivetrain would make it even better. A little bit of tuning and go-fast bits should get it over 400hp like Moutune has done with previous versions.
 
destrekor

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
About damn time.

I like the concept of it carrying AWD as well. I've been saying forever that my next [actually new] new car would be an American AWD hot-hatch... if an American company would finally make a quality AWD hot hatch or compact/economy sedan. Chrysler has been seriously missed the opportunity when they had the Neon SRT4, and well, part of the issue is the Neon was never a respectable platform in any circle. They truly could have a damn fine product if they turned the Dart into an AWD rocket-powered micro-machine. Chrysler: Your SRT badge seriously needs to take a solid look at the Dart. That you haven't by now is very sad.

I digress. :D
Because such a car has never seen the light of day over here--or at least a quality one if I may cover my bases--I have always said that due to said fact, I must resort to a Japanese vehicle simply to have the quality and reliability I seek in the product class I want.

I'd love to buy American, but it seems they never wanted my moneys.

Hopefully Ford, if they do indeed put an AWD platform under that beast, will have a good quality AWD configuration. That's another area, regardless of vehicle class, where Subaru shines.
 
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Insomniator

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
6,294
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HybridSquirrel said:
Any guesses on base price? If sub-30k I might seriously consider it.
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Gotta be over 30 with a ST's getting there easily with options.

I know this is going to be an extremely fun, useful car... but its always going to be a dorky ford focus. If I sit in one and don't immediately have the impression thats its a piece of crap I'll be happy.

It does look pretty sick tho --

original.jpg
 
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CRXican

CRXican

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
9,062
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I do like the current ST but AWD is a must have (for me at least). But as mentioned, price will be the deal breaker.
 
HybridSquirrel

HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
Insomniator said:
Gotta be over 30 with a ST's getting there easily with options.

I know this is going to be an extremely fun, useful car... but its always going to be a dorky ford focus. If I sit in one and don't immediately have the impression thats its a piece of crap I'll be happy.

It does look pretty sick tho --
Click to expand...

Base price =/= price with options. I could see it starting at like $28K without options and dealer handling. I don't think it would start at more than that honestly because most people would opt for an STI or even a Mustang GT. But if you're priced at $28k or so you're competing with the WRX and the STI
 
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Y

yoda5

Member
Dec 10, 2014
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I think it will need to be priced in the WRX/STi realm to be competitive. Keep the price down and it should attract a younger generation of new buyers to Ford.
 
heymrdj

heymrdj

Diamond Member
May 28, 2007
3,999
63
91
yoda5 said:
I think it will need to be priced in the WRX/STi realm to be competitive. Keep the price down and it should attract a younger generation of new buyers to Ford.
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I'm curious where they will slot it. Ford doesn't typically do as barren or light of interiors as Subaru. But the RS is supposed to be about performance. Though the European model currently gets alot of goodies.
 
destrekor

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
Ferzerp said:
It will be in the 40's I am sure.
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Nonsense. Or they might as well not even bother. This isn't a car that will sell enough at that price. Will it sell? Sure. Many? No.

If it's on the same plane as the VW Golf R and it costs more than the Golf R, then Ford might as well not even bother IMHO. Ford cannot command a VW premium.
Considering the product line, which is the Focus, they need to follow the market approach that others in the same segment follow. Follow the pricing structures of the Subaru Impreza/WRX/STI, the now defunct Mitsubishi Lancer/Evo (Evo, at least, is now dead), and to some extent, the Mazda Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 route.
Considering the Focus and Mazda3 once were nearly identical twins, there's ground for a FWD Focus RS to follow the pricing structure of the MazdaSpeed3 and WRX.
I'd thoroughly expect an AWD variant to be a top-end package, and for that, I WOULD expect closer to $40, though Ford ought to try to keep it closer to $35K, if not under, to truly break into the market in that style of ride. If it's FWD only, they would be shooting themselves in the foot crossing much over the $30K line.
Whatever it is priced, it will sell... some. If they want to make a dent in the Japanese and European-model market that dominates that vehicle segment (hot hatch, AWD sport compacts), I hope they intend to win over the buyers with the price.

It seems heavily hinted that the Dodge Dart SRT will have AWD (I hadn't realized that! I just did some quick googling and, YES, it seems Chrysler was understanding the potential!), and I expect that will be very competitively priced for the segment. Consider the MSRP for the Neon SRT4 and Caliber SRT4. The Caliber SRT4's numbers were around 285bhp and 265lb/ft, and was right at the MazdaSpeed3's MSRP at the time.

I don't think the stakes are at all reasonable for either Ford or Chrysler to chance market success by pricing themselves too far north of $30K, if even crossing that line for the base trim.
 
destrekor

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
heymrdj said:
I'm curious where they will slot it. Ford doesn't typically do as barren or light of interiors as Subaru. But the RS is supposed to be about performance. Though the European model currently gets alot of goodies.
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That may be, but I also heard numerous people complain that the 2007-2009 Focus's were quite barren, and ridiculous to boot. Many favored the Mazda3's interior (one reason I went with a Mazda3 from that generation), and save for the higher trims, it is also no award-winner for cozy touches. I don't know if the Impreza's are worse, though at the price level of the WRX, I think almost all the competitors outclass Subaru. For what reason Subaru lags, I haven't the faintest idea.
 
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Ferzerp

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,438
107
106
You're probably right. Mid 30's is more accurate. I was basing my guess of the old price when they released the last one completely forgetting that what I'd read was UK price converted to USD.
 
destrekor

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
Ferzerp said:
You're probably right. Mid 30's is more accurate. I was basing my guess of the old price when they released the last one completely forgetting that what I'd read was UK price converted to USD.
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Ah, fair enough.

The US gets treated quite well when it comes to MSRPs - on the dollar value alone, almost every other country pays more for the same products than the price on the American market. It's quite fantastic, if you ask me. :D
 
xSkyDrAx

xSkyDrAx

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
7,706
1
0
This looks awesome but the price gotta be right. Also gotta wait at least a year after it comes out to see if there's any glaring issues.
 
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Zivic

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2002
3,505
38
91
I don't see this car being AWD at the end of the day. Nor do I see it starting below 30k...... maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised??
 
KentState

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
Might sound silly, but this car would have been appealing with AWD and 300+ hp if I just didn't get a Corvette.
 
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