Ford Focus RS500

Rival: AutoExpress think!

Rival: Renaulsport Megane 250

No its not!!! It does not cost 35K and is not a special limited run, is it Autoexpress?

Try a Mugen Civic R, thats the rival here...

Once again AutoExpress compares like with not alike...

By LegioIXHispana on 15 May, 2010, 6:07pm

Jack Rix

Hi LegioIXHispana, I take your point, but if we're comparing like for like the Mugen's highly-tuned naturally-aspirated engine and rock-hard ride is a world away from the RS's torquey turbocharged engine and relatively civilised character at low speeds. In that respect the Megane is a closer match. If there was a more powerful special-edition Megane on sale that would of course be the ideal rival, but for now we'll have to make do with the standard car.

By jackrix on 15 May, 2010, 8:04pm

What About Golf R Jack?

Wouldn't the Golf R be a better match than the RS Megane???

By Abdurrahman1 on 15 May, 2010, 10:34pm

Jack Rix

I'd say the Golf R places even more emphasis on refinement, besides its four-wheel not front-wheel drive. I think the logical conclusion here is that the RS500 doesn't really have any direct rivals, another feather in its cap...

By jackrix on 16 May, 2010, 12:25pm

Jumping Jack Rix

Jack, take your point about how the different ways with which the RS500 Ford and the Super-Mugen, go about reaching terminal velocity... But they are both track/ road racers that are not bought to be shopping cars or for civilised use, they are basically slightly less raw versions of Touring Cars for road use and to promote the race brand image of both companies... (Cheaper alternatives to purchasing Junior Supercars?)

But I would have thought if you are looking for the ultimate hatch weaponry(?) and are going to spend RS500 money, you aint going to be looking at a car 10k cheaper, and which is also common a garden-stock sporty version... (Exclusivity is what this particular market sectors about?)

Could I also suggest another weapon in the comparison list in the form of Subaru Impreza`s forthcoming Cosworth...

Now that would be a awesome group test!

RS500 versus Mugen versus Cosworth Impreza! Dont think you could have a loser in that lot? All absolutely mouth-watering B-road nirvana!!

By LegioIXHispana on 16 May, 2010, 1:53pm

Passes Out

Seriously, £35k for a Focus????

And how long before we see these driving round with the matt effect coating peeling off all over the place.

I'll have an XF Diesel S please, just as quick, holds it's money, 40+MPG and zero torque steer.

I've always been a fan of Fast fords, but since the demise of the Escort Cosworth they've really lost the plot.

By davetst on 17 May, 2010, 10:41am

Gone

All Sold out now Anyway

By adzmcp on 17 May, 2010, 2:32pm

Gone

All Sold out now Anyway

By adzmcp on 17 May, 2010, 2:32pm

Agree!

RS500 versus Mugen versus Cosworth Impreza! Dont think you could have a loser in that lot? All absolutely mouth-watering B-road nirvana!!


+1 for me on that.

By DanStrong2 on 17 May, 2010, 5:22pm

La La Land

davetst; show me any production Jag that holds it's money and I'll eat my Cosworth hat!

By tiveroz on 17 May, 2010, 11:49pm

Tiveroz

Tiveroz - Current XF.

Show me any Focus that holds it's money?

By davetst on 18 May, 2010, 6:56am

RS500 v Mugen, turbo v VTEC, power v precision, black v white...

You haven't driven the Mugen, have you, Jack.

By garethebenezer on 18 May, 2010, 9:23am

Solid Investment...

35k for 1 of only 500? Of course its worth it and of course it'll hold its value. I wouldn't be surprised if they are already changing hands at way more than Fords asking price...

RS Fords are a breed apart, ask any member of the RS owners club. This is a special car and I fully expect it to become as much of a legend as the Sierra RS500.

If you don't like Fords, don't friggin' buy one :P

By sgtgrash on 18 May, 2010, 10:51am

Only 101!

Only 101 are coming to the UK. These were sold out in hours.

This Ford will hold it's value, any Ford that bears the RS badge will hold.

By no_1fordfan on 18 May, 2010, 11:12am

Megane is king

The Megane currently beats the standard RS on track. Give a Megane a 50bhp remap and it will destroy this RS500 on a track all day long. It's a better handling, lighter car and would increase the power to weight ratio more than the RS500 upgrades do.

£23000 Megane + £400 remap = £35000 RS500 slayer

Megane R.S. = Sexy curvy speed machine
Focus RS = Chavtastic

By Danny200878 on 18 May, 2010, 12:27pm

Danny

You could well be right.

But the Megane doesn't have alot of character or feel special IMO.

I don't doubt its technical abilities though.

By Neil_Magill on 18 May, 2010, 1:25pm

Le Frog?

Danny the Megane is French and thats already a critical black mark against it in my book! Having said that I can see the merits for the French car, as I can also see the merits in this RS500!

Am not a Ford fan as such, but I can certainly see, that this is one desirable weapon to possess and own, and I am certain that if you saw it in your rear-view mirror, it would probably frighten you off the road...Looks like a road-going stealth fighter! (still would prefer a Mugen, but thats down to my own personal preference)

As for the comment comparing a luxury saloon with any uber- hot hatch, well I think we should take that as a bit tongue in cheek? The XF is undeniably however a beautiful luxury saloon car (even with derve power!) and is certainly a fine patriotic purchase (an infinitely preferable option to propping up the German economy with the purchasing of Germanic barges...)

By LegioIXHispana on 18 May, 2010, 1:46pm

Have you driven one? I know a guy who sold his FRS to buy one. The Megane oozes character.

The Focus engines does sound a lot nicer, granted, but it's also a lot more thirsty. I own a Meg 250, so I'm obviously bias, but I would never swap it for one of these.

My Meg turns soo many heads, it looks awesome without looking OTT. If you want to impress teenage boys, buy a FRS. If you want to impress the ladies, a Megane 250 FTW.

By Danny200878 on 18 May, 2010, 1:54pm

Dan the Man...

Am sure the Megane is a good car!

But this Ford , the Mugen and Subaru are on another level when it comes down to desirability...

(Though its now all rather academic as all the Ford RS500 have found owners...)

They are collectors performance machinery, and as such irrelevances such as fuel economy and civilized driving manners/ characteristics, go out of the window when assessing such cars...Its all about Performance and how they go about performing to entertain at this level surely?

Maybe your friend could not afford the running costs of the FRS? But granted the Megane is a good cheaper alternative...But then is a Seat Leon Cupra R and a Scirocco 2.0T, but for some a FRS is the only car they want and a FRS500 is the ultimate expression of that car (at present!)

By LegioIXHispana on 18 May, 2010, 3:00pm

The Megane, according to Vicky Butler Henderson (journalist, car fan, race car driver and general hottie) is the BEST hot hatch money can buy. I'll go with her over you on this one. lol

YouTube Fifth Gear Megane 250

By Danny200878 on 18 May, 2010, 3:26pm

I'm not a collector, I'm a driver. And the Megane is a major drivers car. And as for my friend, he sold the Focus because it couldn't handle the roads in Wales as well as the Meg does.

You're right, performance is the only thing that really matters. And the Meg out performs the standard RS on track and with similar tinkering, it'll out perform this one too.

Bhp isn't everything as proved on Top Gear FRS vs Meg R26R.

By Danny200878 on 18 May, 2010, 3:31pm

with 345bhp i would expect better performance figures than 5.6 secs to 60 - evo 9 fq340 (actually 345 bhp) hits 60 in the low 4s and is still good for 157 top speed - it just seems to me that the rs gearing must be all wrong or it just cant put the power down although that wonderful diff says otherwise ?
am i the only one thinking this way ???

By KEITH2144 on 18 May, 2010, 4:27pm

When you acelerate, weight shifts onto the rear tyres. Great if you've got a RWD car, not if you are in a FWD. It's much more difficult to get the power down. With a 4WD car you've got all four wheels for aceleration traction. Simples!

By Danny200878 on 18 May, 2010, 5:13pm

dont you think the trick diff which ford claims eliminates understeer etc should more than be able to put the power down if they also claim torque-steer is virtually non-existant ? i mean theres never been no issues that ive read about traction problems so i can only assume it can be down to gearing that its a touch slow for 345 bhp ?

By KEITH2144 on 18 May, 2010, 6:40pm

ps - i know about the boost being cut in the first couple of gears to elliminate wheelspin on the standard rs and i assume this ones the same but once the things rolling it should be able to put it down cause we're not talking massive power are we ?

By KEITH2144 on 18 May, 2010, 7:01pm

Depp

Focus RS is king. Megane? Are you kidding? Ha-ha...

By Depp1 on 18 May, 2010, 7:36pm

Delusions Dan?

Dan you clearly have a passion for the Megane, which I certainly wouldn't want to knock!

But the Megane; it just ain't desirable enough in my eyes, in the way the true uber-hot hatches are!

But then I guess its all down to personal choice...My view is that a car such as the Megane 250, (whilst good) is not extrovert or enticing enough to make it anything other than competent car in its field...Special is what I would want for spending north of 30K. The RS500, Cosworth Impreza and Mugen all have exclusivity and speciality on their side, (IMO) and therefore fulfill the criteria!

By LegioIXHispana on 18 May, 2010, 10:16pm

Watch the vid Dan...

Dan over at Autocar they have quite a good demonstration of the Megane 250 versus the stnd RS... Well worth a watch!

Sorry Dan, but you are deluding yourself about the 250, your mate has very much traded down in choice of vehicles...

The RS leaves the 250 for dead on the mountain pass, but thats not to say the 250 isnt a good hot-hatch!

By LegioIXHispana on 18 May, 2010, 10:29pm

Autocar did a test in their magazine a week later saying that the Megane is faster to 100mph than the FRS. Plus it handles better, fact. Every review I've read has tested the Megane as faster on a track. If you don't think the Megane is in the same league as the Focus, you're deluded.

Check out the Evo Focus Megane comparison on Youtube

By Danny200878 on 19 May, 2010, 12:05am

You dont want to believe Dan

Dan...

You are whistling in the wind!

The Megane is good, but distincly second choice here...

Carry on.

By LegioIXHispana on 19 May, 2010, 12:37am

Evo Sum Up

Evo sums up the stnd Focus RS as the Evo hot-hatch of choice...

That means it is there favourite current hot-hatch period!

Evo sums it up like so:

"Driving the Ford is like being in a pub brawl as lots of rowdy components battle for dominance. The Renault is far more harmonious, with each component perfectly in tune with the others. It’s a more democratic set-up, far better to live with every day perhaps, but also less exhilarating."

A hot-hatch is about exhilaration and thats partly why Evo gave the Megane a very good 4 half stars and the RS Focus 5 stars!

The group test Evo sum up with the RS and Megane:

"The Ford bludgeons rather than caresses, but what makes it so absorbing and memorable is that it has such unbelievable attitude. It doesn’t try to be refined and so comes across as a purer, more concentrated machine. A hot hatch in bodystyle only, it successfully distances itself from a class that can be – as both SEAT and to a lesser extent VW prove – rather underwhelming."

The RS Ford was the winner and the RS500 is the more special of the two RS variants!

By LegioIXHispana on 19 May, 2010, 12:52am

RS vs Megane

I'm on Auto Express chat for the first time. Really like the comments by Danny and Legiol. Never had the privilege to drive both super cars. My view is they are both iconic but I'd rather go for a limited edition production car rather than a 'collectible'. There will always be more powerful engines or ''more special" tagging. I've owned both Ford and Renault and in spite of Ford's latest foray on the speed track, would give thumbs up to Renault Megane 250 - simply because it satisfies civic driving as well as high performance specs over a longer period. If Ford can produce as many RS as the Megane internationally, then I think there is some grounds for comparison. It comes down to individual choice, not what editors of car magazines hope to achieve. My vote is still with the Megane as it has both a more enduring exterior and interior. Not a car that merely impresses but one that exudes a unique charm when driven.

By whitley on 19 May, 2010, 1:58am

hmmm

this is a very good car for driving thrills in straight line but for the corners....is too heavy...and the front wheels cant handle such a big torque and power..the megane rs 250 cup is an amazing car...i driven it and is better than the standard focus rs..the chasis is so good,,,i think it can handle 290 hp for sure...hope renault bring another version to kill the focus..the mugen civic type r? only 20 in uk...38 k price...very much for a 240 hp car..is great but to much thu...is and the mugen 200,,,only 200 in uk very pricey but it have the rear seats...but i think has rubbish interior...for now the megane..but im waiting for the astra vxr!!!!

By yaspaa on 19 May, 2010, 12:39pm

The Focus is a more desirable car to more people. Ford's RS brand has a massive following. This makes it a much better car to 'show off' to fellow RS fans and the 300bhp giving huge bragging rights. It'll hold it's value far better than the Megane too.

Doesn't make it a better car to drive.

I see FRS's all the time, they're so common. I have exclusivity. Everyone stares as I drive down the road. Looks like it was a design sent back from the future, the Focus is looking so dated.

By Danny200878 on 20 May, 2010, 12:06am

Problem with the renault is its gone the opel / vauxhall / Citroen C4 route where everything is looks and performance. The focus is based on a car with road characteristics that could not be easily gotten ridden of, such as space and practicality. Its no wonder the Renault will not match in sales of the whole range. With the Focus you still get to keep your comfort and ride levels to a good extent, and then resale value....as if you would ever want t to sell it.

By Kwashi on 20 May, 2010, 11:29am

short memories every one.

My dealer group works with Ford and Renault. The RS is a great hatch so is the 250. But you guys are forgetting 4 little digits........
R26R, all makes of vehicle can keep bringing out hot hatches but as long as these are on the road nothing even comes close

By russvox on 20 May, 2010, 3:01pm

In your dreams Dan!

"Everyone stares as I drive down the road."

Dan that could be more to do with the way you look, rather than how your French mobile looks? ( have you done a MORI/ IPSOS survey on the matter? )

Either that or people whom see you in it, cant believe that someone has actually blown over 20K on a French car!

Anyway enjoy it whilst it lasts...

By LegioIXHispana on 21 May, 2010, 5:03pm

LegioIXHispana talk crap

u talk totally bullshit man fords are cars that u need alvays to go to mechanich...alvays need to repair...and for the interior are crap too...just plastic...the megane is strong and interior quality is better and raised..

By yaspaa on 22 May, 2010, 9:39am

yaspaa who doesnt talk crap(?)

You must be right then...How does Ford manage to sell so many cars year on year? When clearly (as you state) they are always in a Ford garage...Which must be true(?) as you seem to be very knowledgeable about Fords and Renaults.

P.S what does "alvays" mean? And also, what is the word "mechanich?" you mention (is that a Slovak term?)

Also yaspaa, I dont own a Ford or a French Ford, ( i.e a Renault)
so I dont really give a Twingo, but i do like balanced and intelligent debate... Even sometimes with a bit of half-intelligent
banter to it.

Sorry yaspaa You need not apply.

By LegioIXHispana on 22 May, 2010, 4:59pm

@ LegioIXHispana

sorry but im not english or from a country who english is first language so my english isnt god..and im not from slovakia...im talking from my experience about fords and renaults...and u look clearly u are a ford fanboy talking with such passions for frs 500 and hate about renaults...do u know r26r has beated focus rs by 4 sec in bedford and audi rs5 by 1 second and honda mugen civic (20 limited) by 1 second? and is the fastes fwd car in nurburgring beating and a v10 m5 and by 10 sec the time of frs...just admit it...is such and underrated car.

By yaspaa on 22 May, 2010, 8:29pm

Yaspaa

Thats a bit more of a reasoned argument yaspaa comparing your last post with that of your first. If you read my earlier posting with Danny, you would see that far from knocking the Renault Megane 250, I made it clear that I thought it was a very good fast hatchback quoting that it had got very creditable reviews...
(I certainly would not be to disappointed, if I got one as a company car!)

However I was also pointing out, that if it was my own money and choice, I would prefer something a little more thug`ish and hooligan like with its driving characteristics and feel and looks...
(Thats my preference, as I dont like overly smooth and refined easy to drive hot-hatchbacks, as I am not of Golf Gti buying age yet!)

The British motoring press has given the Ford RS a firm thumbs up as a favourite hot-hatch of theirs, they cant all be wrong... That does not say that I would want to have the Ford though over all other contenders. (My money would head over to cars from the land of the Rising Sun!) I do admire the Ford and the way it appears to drive, sounds, looks,etc and given choice of drives between Renault and Ford...The Ford would be more desirable to my tastes and would win everytime.

The r26r you mention is an exceedingly good track-day hot hatch, but its looks and rawness would put me off, sure its fast but speed is only part of a good hot hatches full equation...

p.s My copy of EVO says the Mugen did the lap in 1.28.6 (104.4mph peak) and the r26.r did it in 1.29.0. (102.3mph peak)
FRS did it in 130.8 (101.8mph peak)

However thats just nit-picking...

By LegioIXHispana on 22 May, 2010, 9:48pm

LegioIXHispana Re:

yeah i aggre with u in the first part of your comment...i driven both the cars anf as u say the ford is moe brutal and fantastic...but and the megane i not a gti...is fun and as the ford has sometimes a lot of underster..but the megane handle more good and most of the track beat the frs( reference Fastestlaps.com)...and cost less than the frs...thats the way i like more the meg rs...now about the r26r time in bedford http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/trackdayvideos/251029/renaultsport_megane_r26r_track_test.html here u got the re lap and it did a time of 1,27,82.

By yaspaa on 23 May, 2010, 9:13am

The Need for Speed

Well yaspaa, dont know if you are a UK resident or not?

But I would suggest to you, that any sporting-hatchback thats got over 150bhp, has probably now got surplus power for what can be safely exploited upon the public roads here in the UK, without endangering the driver and its occupants, other road users or your own personal driving licence...

Did you know that in the UK we loose 2750 people to road deaths related accidents every year and over 225,000 road related accidents! Thats like having 10 Iraq-wars every year in the UK itself...CRAZY!

The car manufacturers should be making less complicated and smaller (overall) cars with less weight, creature comforts and equipment combined with cheaper prices.

Possibly the most fun on four wheels are cars like the MX-5 mark1, Toyota MR2 mark1 and Honda`s original CRX Vtec... All having one thing in common small size, revving petrol engines and fun!

p.s Yaspaa, you could also add the Renault Clio Williams to the above list and the 5 GT Turbo too!! (how about that for a Renault concession)

By LegioIXHispana on 23 May, 2010, 12:40pm

old school

yeah man i agree...i live far from uk...but in my country people prefer more luxury saloons and big suv's than a fast hatchback..but and here a lot of people die in the road... i think the old school list car should be added dhe peugeot 205 gti 1.6 104 hp and 1.9 126 hp they are so light and when u drive are so fun...the renault 5 gt turbo 160 hp is to fun too..and the ford escort crosworth is good and the Ford Escort RS1700 T ....both are great but is hard to find one in good condition...
ps: the peugeot 205 1.6,1.9 is too much overated ,top gear say the greates hot hatch of all the time...but it isnt....peugeot is bringing another gti next year...got 200 hp and from 0-100 7.7

By yaspaa on 23 May, 2010, 5:15pm

The greatest hot hatch ever is?

Yaspaa if we are talking about the greatest ever hot-hatch?

Its got to be the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo (surely?) an appreciating asset that has the converse effect of depreciating ones pocket faster in maintenance bills!

Think I would put the original mark1 Golf Gti 1.8 next up and as a wild card how about a Citroen BX Gti 16v with the 160bhp power unit...

If I had to have something that I was going to use everyday however, it would be the EP3 Civic Type-R.as hot hatch of choice. Always had a liking for the Opel Astra GTE 16v of the late 80`s early 90`s too.

By LegioIXHispana on 23 May, 2010, 8:54pm

my vote goes for...

i think the golf gti's are ''very safe'' so not...citroen bx no cause my neighbour had one...gti 160 hp and was rubbish...civic type-r? yeah good car..especialy the ep3..good price too...but still not...i think evo has made the right choice delta integrale is the king really..is the best hot hatch ever....!!!! now...nowadays hot hatch...i had a conclusion...in most of the tests comparisons maded the meg rs 250 wins...top gear magazine december 2009!! focus rs vs megane rs vs scirocco r, top gear set as the winner the megane rs!!! autoexpress set the wineer the megane rs too vs the rivals..and evo..chris harris rewiev...says the megane is still the best...but really i drive a vw golf mk IV GTI and i dont really like it and if a would chose a hot hatch as my next car...i would chose the megane r26r.

By yaspaa on 23 May, 2010, 9:10pm

Subjective

There is no point trying to illustrate which car is better you just come across as a bit of a d@*k. Everyone is different and has their personal tastes. There is no doubt a R26R will go around a track faster than a std. FRS, (cannot comment on the 500 yet as it hasn't been tested), and that's from a FRS owner. But to be fair on the road it doesn't count for much if anything at all, just on a track. I would also argue that the FRS and the R26R can't really be compared as the R26R is a track car come road car where as the FRS is a true hot hatch i.e. is has all the comforts of a std Focus and more where as the R26R doesn't. I also know a couple of guys who swapped their R26R's in for the FRS for a couple of reasons. 1. day to day use the FRS is much easier to live with, 2. Reliability after two major breakdowns on the R26R they had enough. The FRS is more reliable and easier to live with.

What does get on my wick is the constant stereotypical numpty sheep chav comments. 1. I'm not a chav, 2. a Chav couldn't afford the FRS! I see more so called chav's (shaved head, tattoos, baseball cap and muscle vest0 driving BMW's does this mean a BMW is a chav car?

All I can say is the FRS is a great car same as the Megane (both the R26R and the 250) but because the Focus has that RS badge it makes it more desirable. Also I personaly think it has more character than the VW's, sure the interior isn't as good but the car as a drivers car is so much more involving. I get so many head turns and comment about the FRS it does stand out and it is a little pretentious but generally people get that.

By EssexFish on 24 May, 2010, 12:14pm

Always question Statistics !!

Quote: Did you know that in the UK we loose 2750 people to road deaths related accidents every year and over 225,000 road related accidents! That’s like having 10 Iraq-wars every year in the UK itself...CRAZY!

I know it's the wrong forum but as we are all keen drivers, I have to point out to people that actually believe government statistics, that you have to remember these are very well massaged statistics, and include bicycles, pedestrians, and motorcycles.

Let's say, if a kid on roller skates runs off the pavement and is hit by a motorist it's classed as Road related Accident, as we know it's not the fault of the driver.

Or if a drunk falls off the pavement and is killed by a bus, it is classed as a drink related Road Traffic Accident, another statistic that is groomed to make the overall figure look bad for us drivers.

The saying that there are “ Lies, Dammed Lies, and Statistics “ is true
And the worst is a statistic that you can’t challenge.

I have written to the now thankfully, ex Labour minister for a breakdown of the figures, needless to say they were not provided, because if they were, we would all see that British drivers are the best, and safest driver in the world.

By Bobbybev on 27 May, 2010, 10:25am

ugly

What a pig ugly car!

By bigbazza on 1 June, 2010, 3:24pm

Chav avoidment advice!

Well I see good points and bad points in all cars, the RS500 or any fast Ford will be preferable to owning anything French, never seen one yet that doesn't kick you in the wallet, either through depreciation, dealer servicing costs, or major mechanical or electrical faults just after the expiration of the manufactuers warranty. I suspect Danny must be a very good looking guy, as never met a woman yet who's head has been turned by a hot hatch, these are boys dreams (and Vicki Butler Henderson) only.

As for the Ford I wouldn't pay £35k for one either, it madness, though if had to choose between the two I'd pick the RS500 everytime. They are both standard family hatchbacks, granted with lots of re-engineering but the Meg250 and standard Ford RS will find homes on council estates driven by dole cheats in 10 years!

But there is a third choice here: Why not buy an Ariel Atom 0 -62 in 2.9 seconds that would blow both of these away. £29k for the supercharged version and spend the £6k change on a resonable family car, best of both worlds!

Not forgetting option 4; my choice - I would go for used Jaguar XF -R £35k would buy you a year old super luxury saloon 0-62 in 4.9 secs that will obliterate both the Meg250 and the RS500 and do it in a lot of style too! And as chavs hate Jags, hopefully it will avoid the council estate shame that these other two high performance hatches will have to see out their days in

By Focus_your_mind on 6 September, 2010, 10:35am

Essex fish

Yes the BMW is a chav car! In Germany they are Taxi's nothing more, nothing less! Here they are the ultimate symbol that you're a chav!

By Focus_your_mind on 6 September, 2010, 10:49am