Official: Focus RS to sport 345 HP

[daxzy]

I watched an interview with a Subaru designer on why they didn't do the hatchback for this generation. Basically he said that when sticking with one design (e.g. the Sedan), they could tune it far better. I think that's very believable, seeing how the 2015 STI blows away the 2014 version despite having the same engine and curb weight. I'm guessing they're going to spin off the hatchback as another model.

I just bought a 2016 WRX (because someone totaled my current car). I had been thinking about the Focus ST, the Golf R, or the WRX STI. Basically came down to this line of logic:

Focus ST - Poor resale value (compared to Subaru's). Only FWD. Fiesta ST is more fun to drive, but I needed a bigger car.

Golf R - Poor resale value (compared to Subaru's). Less available mods.

STI - Basically using an 11 year old engine; poor fuel economy for what you're getting.

WRX - Not a perfect choice (would've preferred a hatchback with more power). I ended up ordering the Limited trim. Ideally, I would've preferred a WRX engine in a STI chassis.

Ideally I would've liked a hatchback, but I'll probably do the wait and see approach for the Focus RS/New gen STI. The resale value of Subaru's is incredible enough so that going this route is possible.

 

[CZroe]

Why couldn't it start at $29k? Fiesta ST is $20945-$24155. Focus ST is $24370-$28820. (from current pricing I'm seeing on ford's website).



RS could totally be $29k-$34k

Because that doesn't leave any room for a Fiesta RS in 2017.

 

[Viper GTS]

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/leaked-configurator-maybe-reveals-2016-ford-focus-rs-pr-1720764092

Just under 36k base, and 42k loaded.

Viper GTS

 

[Kaido]

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/leaked-configurator-maybe-reveals-2016-ford-focus-rs-pr-1720764092

Just under 36k base, and 42k loaded.

Viper GTS

Ouch. Looks like I'll be sticking with a '16 Ecoboost Mustang.

 

[Aharami]

dang

 

[Fenixgoon]

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/leaked-configurator-maybe-reveals-2016-ford-focus-rs-pr-1720764092

Just under 36k base, and 42k loaded.

Viper GTS

Ouch. Looks like I'll be sticking with a '16 Ecoboost Mustang.

i would say that is the biggest problem with the super hot hatches. they are so expensive that you hit territory of a completely different car altogether.

still, they ford will probably sell as many as they make (same with the Golf R400)

 

[SearchMaster]

Why is anyone shocked by this pricing? It's pretty much in line with what most people expected - on the Focus ST forums most people were saying it would start at just over $35K and top out at just over $40K.

The pricing isn't out of line if you consider the ST. I don't know what the base package includes, but one screenshot showed the partial leather Recaros from the ST2 so let's assume the amenities of the base vehicle are somewhere between the ST2 and ST3. The ST2 MSRP is ~$27K and the ST3 is ~$30K, so in-between is $28.5K. The RS adds 100hp and AWD - is that not worth $7K?

Of course few people pay MSRP for an ST...so the actual price of an ST2 is closer to $24K and an ST3 is more like $27K. If the RS is not discounted or dealers try to mark them up, they will sit on lots after the initial buzz is satiated because it's much harder to justify $10K+ more for the RS over the ST for most people.

 

[vshah]

man, as a honda fan I was super excited about the type-r eventually coming to the states, but this is just going to blow it out of the water. 345hp + awd vs ~300hp fwd...

The honda's one trump card may be price but that remains to be seen.

 

[Viper GTS]

i would say that is the biggest problem with the super hot hatches. they are so expensive that you hit territory of a completely different car altogether.

still, they ford will probably sell as many as they make (same with the Golf R400)

What car class is this bumping against? I mean yes you could get a Mustang GT for that kind of money and it would probably be faster but I don't really see them as competing classes. If someone wants an AWD hatchback they aren't likely to be considering a mustang. If Audi sold an S3 wagon here that might be a reasonable competitor but the RS3 is a better match for performance (and will likely be more like $50k).

Viper GTS

 

[SearchMaster]

What car class is this bumping against? I mean yes you could get a Mustang GT for that kind of money and it would probably be faster but I don't really see them as competing classes. If someone wants an AWD hatchback they aren't likely to be considering a mustang. If Audi sold an S3 wagon here that might be a reasonable competitor but the RS3 is a better match for performance (and will likely be more like $50k).

Viper GTS

I suppose you could argue something like the M235 or 335 or the S3 Quattro are in the same price band (low 40s), but those are pretty stripped at that price and will jump closer to $50K pretty quickly. They aren't hatches but I don't see that as an absolute requirement for most people. I'd bet that the handling on the RS will be much more aggressive and "fun" than the latter two though.

His basic point is solid though...to some extent the manufacturing on a $30K ST or a $40K RS is the same as a $17K Focus S. The ST has some rattling issues, paint quality issues, and other problems associated with lower end vehicles and I'll assume they will carry forward to the RS. If the RS loses value as quickly as the ST, it might be a hell of a bargain to pick up after a couple of years for $25K.

 

[KentState]

His basic point is solid though...to some extent the manufacturing on a $30K ST or a $40K RS is the same as a $17K Focus S. The ST has some rattling issues, paint quality issues, and other problems associated with lower end vehicles and I'll assume they will carry forward to the RS. If the RS loses value as quickly as the ST, it might be a hell of a bargain to pick up after a couple of years for $25K.

Happens with a lot of production cars.

Ford $24k - $60k GT350R
Challenger $27k - $60k Hellcat
Corvette $55k - $110k Z06 w/Z07
Porsche 911 $84k - $180k GT3 RS
Chevy 1500 $26k - Escalade 90k

All the bells and whistles on a lot of cars can nearly double or triple the base price. Besides maybe the GT3, all of the vehicles are painted, sourced and assembled in nearly the same conditions independent of options.

 

[iamwiz82]

Phew, this weighs in at almost 3,500lbs. I think it needs a diet.

 

[Kaido]

2016 Ford Focus RS leaps to 62 in 4.7 seconds, starts at $36,605:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/16/2016-ford-focus-rs-0-60-36605-price/

 

[yh125d]

Slower than S3/CLA45 AMG, but 6/12k cheaper. Faster than Golf R/STI for ~1k more...

 

[996GT2]

Tough sell between this and the STI. The Subaru costs slightly less, weighs a bit less, and will likely have better resale value. The Focus RS is faster in stock form but with these turbo engines an extra 50-100HP is just a chip away...

 

[Riverhound777]

Tough sell between this and the STI. The Subaru costs slightly less, weighs a bit less, and will likely have better resale value. The Focus RS is faster in stock form but with these turbo engines an extra 50-100HP is just a chip away...

Can't get the STI in Hatchback anymore though.

 

[SearchMaster]

I don't think you're going to get 50-100HP with a chip. It's basically the same engine in the Mustang Ecoboost and they're not getting tremendous HP gains with just a tune. The tq does get a good bump though.

The intercoolers that Ford uses for these EB engines are just not good enough.

 

[996GT2]

I don't think you're going to get 50-100HP with a chip. It's basically the same engine in the Mustang Ecoboost and they're not getting tremendous HP gains with just a tune. The tq does get a good bump though.

The intercoolers that Ford uses for these EB engines are just not good enough.

Was referring more to the STI. The RS is rated for more power in stock form, but with some very basic mods like a chip the STI or Golf R could be brought up those levels.

 

[Kaido]

Tough sell between this and the STI. The Subaru costs slightly less, weighs a bit less, and will likely have better resale value. The Focus RS is faster in stock form but with these turbo engines an extra 50-100HP is just a chip away...

I'm not a really big fan of the new WRX. I think the new ones look like a generic Toyota sedan :thumbsdown:

 

[Viper GTS]

Full configuration tool is live, ends up at just under $42k loaded (or just over if you want Nitrous Blue).

Anyone want to guess on what dealers will be charging? $50k?

Viper GTS

 

[SearchMaster]

I think if dealers mark them up, there will be a lot of them sitting on the lots for a while. As stated before, the Golf R and STi are solid competitors that can be found at or below MSRP, so I just can't see a lot of people willing to pay $50K for a car that is essentially a $16K econobox at heart. I love my ST and it's been a fantastic car in just about every way but I (over)paid at just under $27K for a $31K list car...if it had been marked up or even MSRP, I wouldn't have bought it.

 

[cabri]

Full configuration tool is live, ends up at just under $42k loaded (or just over if you want Nitrous Blue).

Anyone want to guess on what dealers will be charging? $50k?

Viper GTS

I think if dealers mark them up, there will be a lot of them sitting on the lots for a while. As stated before, the Golf R and STi are solid competitors that can be found at or below MSRP, so I just can't see a lot of people willing to pay $50K for a car that is essentially a $16K econobox at heart. I love my ST and it's been a fantastic car in just about every way but I (over)paid at just under $27K for a $31K list car...if it had been marked up or even MSRP, I wouldn't have bought it.

Never under estimate the car power fanatic. ^_^

The Challenger Hellcats are going for 20K over MSRP

People will look at the badging and power specs and be willing to pay for the status.

 

[AdamK47]

That's one expensive Ford Focus.

 

[CZroe]

I think if dealers mark them up, there will be a lot of them sitting on the lots for a while. As stated before, the Golf R and STi are solid competitors that can be found at or below MSRP, so I just can't see a lot of people willing to pay $50K for a car that is essentially a $16K econobox at heart. I love my ST and it's been a fantastic car in just about every way but I (over)paid at just under $27K for a $31K list car...if it had been marked up or even MSRP, I wouldn't have bought it.

My impression from asking around at dealers about the Fiesta ST is that they don't just order these and have them on lots. They pretty much only order them from the factory or charge you extra to obtain it from some other dealer who did order one in advance. Either way, they know they've got you if you come asking them to order/find it because. They know that you know what you want and that your flexibility isn't going factor in to your bargaining position ("give it to me for $X or I'm going to go get $Y somewhere else"). Basically, I tried to act like I was interest in either the FiST or the FoST, but it didn't work for that reason.

 

[yh125d]

If I'm being more realistic, I'll probably wait to pick up an early CPO used like I did to get my ST.