I like how this guy doesn't have to work nearly as hard as he did on his lap in the focus than he did in the viper. Just goes to show that you don't need to spend a ton of money to have FUN!
Some of us can't fit inside either of those cars without taking out the seat and rails then bolting the seat directly to the floor. Thank you Ford for making fun to drive cars with headroom.
I hope that I'm wrong as well. I love the Focus ST. I think it's a very special affordable car. Wrong wheel drive and all.I think it deserves the recognition. But, it's Motortrend, I'm not going to hold my breathe !!!!
I love the low dollar underdogs. Last year the BRZ. This year the Focus ST. While I really enjoy watching and learning about the high dollar cars in MT's BDC, what fun it is to watch the much more affordable cars thrown in there for comparison, and even more fun to watch them hold there own in terms of track enjoyment when compared to cars that are many times more money, even when they place in the back of the pack.
I talked to the dealerships around and they said they would likely have some by 2014 but the mk7 GTI is the one im talking about. It's not really competing against the Mustang and TT but they are almost the same price. The TT is essentially based on the GTI platform so expect it to be lighter and faster just like the new GTI is from the older version.
yeah. he has done a great job. honestly driven tons of horses from 4.6 to 5.0. there ok only cause there auto boxes. I dont like there auto trans. would love to try the boss 302 horse tho but havent had a chance. will be great if the RS makes it to the US but not counting on it.
July 2013 issue of Car and Driver, you can fine it on their website as well, I am talking about the new 2014 GTI (mk7) not the older GTI (mk6) on which the Golf R you are talking about is based
Entertaining and livable as a daily driver for the average American. Some courageous choices by Ford, too. I like this car and I think it is a good sign that some American-native manufacturers (at least Ford) might finally "get it" when it comes to enthusiasts.
I think the Focus ST has a real chance at winning. Seriously this is getting me excited. As a car you can live with and enjoy driving every day it's main competition in my eyes are of course the cayman and carrera. The real underdog I don't think anyone is really looking at is the merc wagon. That thing is a beast. utility, speed, comfort AAANND IT CAN CORNER?!?!? That's fierce competition. Only issue I see is price. That's where the focus will have it.
EXACTLY!! It's set a new bar for fwd cars. None of the other cars on here have done anything remotely close to that. Not only that it's got utility, price, and livable on it's side as well. Honestly I want a pulsar GTi-R but if I can put that 7500 bucks down on a focus st I'm doin it!!! lol
It's great little car. It has received a lot of attention everywhere. Only thing is the hard ride but it's aimed at younger buyers who don't mind that. They want the sportiness and fast cornering for a low price.
TheGT500 hasn't been modified or upgraded over the last couple of years, whereas the Focus ST is an all new platform for this calender year. Why don't you watch one of the previous MT videos where they actually explain why certain cars are and aren't in the lineup.
Hey, I just got a Focus ST. One of the biggest things I had in my mind while making a decision was how long the brakes would last with that differential the car used. I read an article by an electrical engineer who managed to disable the system when he put the ST into full "ESC disabled" mode, but he said the driving dynamics weren't nearly as good as when the brakes were assisting the wheels. What exactly happened, as one ST driver to another, so I could perhaps avoid this?
I am in Canada and the price for the ST at a Ford dealer is so much more than the price in the US, almost $10,000 more plus tax which puts it at about $40,000 plus it wasn't available for a test drive.
The Focus ST is as fun to drive as almost anything. Even if you've driven fast front-wheel drive cars before, do yourself a favor and go drive an ST hard. It's a different experience. Supercar levels of grip, steering that's telepathic, an engine that just pulls and pulls, and a great noise.
looking at this comparing to my 12 year old acura rsx....252hp and 3196 lbs, RSX 200hp and 2800 lbs. 12.68 lb/hp and 14 lb/hp. Pretty close. No reason to sell my girl yet, running strong 195,000 miles and 35mpg. Nice video though. Randy is the MAN!
Wrong. The new ST was designed and developed by Ford's Global Performance Vehicle division which is made up of SVT from the USA, and Team RS from Europe, making this third generation ST a joint venture. However, the Ecoboost engine has been in Focuses since 2009 (2nd generation Focuses), but the ST's Ecoboost has been tuned to be more sporty obviously.
Wait for 2015 Focus RS with monster 2.3 l ecoboost 4 pot with 320-350 hp and 310-320 ft pound torque between 2000-5500 rpm and revoknucle front suspension and a true mechanical slip diff controlled electrically just like the 2015 GTI, its gonna be a revelation 4 FWD cars
Ya I 2 buddy, the reason Y i tell the old RS is itself an awesome car cuz, in official timings made by magazines the time was 8:26 but in some other Focus RS owners made time of 8:10,8:12 etc, also the Megane RS cup 250 that achieved those lap times is a track setup car its totally hardcore and cant be driven on road without jarring our back, so Focus RS was more daily driver friendly as well, I 2 hope 2015 type R vs Focus RS will b 1 2 watch 4, VW is preparing a monster 390hp Golf R
It's not wrong wheel if you look at the entire hot hatch segment, but when you're comparing it to 500+BHP cars of course it's going to be wrong wheel drive because there's no way you could control a 400+BHP FWD car since the torque steer would rip the wheel out of your hands.
don't blame Motor Trend, they only test the cars that the makers GIVE THEM. Look at Dodge for example, they didn't give them the Viper because they wanted their own event. The line up of cars that Motor Trend gets is dependent on what cars they are given to test, what, do you think MotorTrend owns all these cars?
While I don't necessarily disagree that the Ford has an incredibly slim chance at winning, I'd like to point out that MT actually has a fairly large Ford bias. I'm guessing that the Ford finishes top three, fourth at the absolute worst. Think about last year where the BRZ came in second (or third?). It's not all about sheer performance. Price and practicality play a large part in this as well.
This is about how the car feels to drive, not the lap times. Obviously a FWD with 250 hp is not going to smoke a rear or awd car in terms of lap times.
As an owner of an ST, I can safely assure you that the car does not sound quite like a V8 Turbo. However, I can also assure you that, because of how the induction noises get vented into the cabin, the car sounds a bit deeper than your typical I4. I could understand how one might mistake it for a 6 or 8 cylinder car (based on the cabin noise). Also, (you're*) -- FTFY. Might not want to call someone "retarded" when you don't know the difference between "your" and "you're."
Yes, really great car, you can feel that the car is designed, engineered and build in Germany. I was very surprised when I saw the "Made in Germany" sticker inside and checked it out. there you go, a german in disguise ;-)
I suppose it's pretty relative. I personally thought that he was acting fairly normal. And if anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself driving the ST. And while I'll always take a lower price, the ST is pretty evenly priced with its competitors.
I'm not bashing your RSX-S, because those are great cars.. But the Focus ST has torque. That's something that you just don't get with a 2 liter without forced induction. The handling is also on another planet for a front-wheel drive car. 0.98G on the skidpad. It's absurd.
"Oh when you drive the Porsche you touch the face of God" Hahahahaha!! That's hilarious dude, and you have a point. It seems like the German stuff wins BestDriver'sCar a lot.
the 2015 Ford Focus RS with revoknuckle Front suspension and all round disc brakes and a electronically controlled mechanical slip diff is coming, its got a cracking 2.3l ecoboost power plant with 320-340 bhp and 310 to 320 ft pound torque on overboost, it will be fast and will be lighter than the current RS Focus and will have better interior and features as well, Its gona be the GOD of FWD cars, I ve already placed bet on the new RS,no other car other than Renault megane(2 hadcore)can touch it
Ah yes I forgot that the Mustang is getting an I-4, but none the less the two cars don't really compete against each other. Both are designed for different purposes but just end up being around the same price.
lol where did you see that? Motor Trend put the Focus ST against the new Golf R and the focus won hands down...you can't turn stability control off the Golf R, and I'm sure you can't do it on a GTI either.
Thats okay. I was a big fan of the old Mustang SVO 2.3, Shelby Charger, and Omni GLHS (Goes Like Hell Sum'more) . They were import killer cheap 4 bangers. I heard the GLHS was cheaper than Honda Civic. Cobalt SS and SRT-4 are great, but not as wicked as GLHS was.
I personally drive this car. Stage 3 now. it needed alot of work to make it "RIGHT" if you will. from short throw shifter, to a stage 2 rear engine mount everything to get this thing to 311 HP-To the WHEELS, dynoed. 23psi of boost. just to make it feel the way you thought it would when buying it. mine is how the ST should have came. its also 2900 pounds instead of the 3100 ish. love the car for my first sports car. but if you have the money for one. buy a 2008-2010 BMW M3... you WONT regret it. or a STI/EVO anything but the ST or the RS! yes the RS! it has head gasket issues and the valves clog with carbon deposits
Putty you guys don't get the Renault Megane RS 265 over there, that's an amazing car. But this Focus ST is ok, but expect the Focus RS to be just amazing.
i love Randy he it's so happy when he drive any car, and yeaah amzing focus ST
"Wrong wheel drive" LOL! 0:09
haaha!!! i was gonna say the same thing... a couple years late
I like how this guy doesn't have to work nearly as hard as he did on his lap in the focus than he did in the viper. Just goes to show that you don't need to spend a ton of money to have FUN!
Absolutely love my Focus ST, that kind of car you won't regret to buy. Thanks to your previous videos Pobst
Got one. It's a little beast.
Some of us can't fit inside either of those cars without taking out the seat and rails then bolting the seat directly to the floor. Thank you Ford for making fun to drive cars with headroom.
So far, I have not seen him as joy full on the track as in the ST. I
It may not be a fast or expensive as the rest, but its a true drivers car.
I hope that I'm wrong as well. I love the Focus ST. I think it's a very special affordable car. Wrong wheel drive and all.I think it deserves the recognition. But, it's Motortrend, I'm not going to hold my breathe !!!!
He did nothing but praise the car?
Nice job Randy, love the insight you have for how each car drives,awesome !
LOL for being WRONG wheel drive and 300+ lbs heavier the Focus ST lapped Laguna Seca around 2 seconds faster than the BRZ at last years test.
Dude, no lie, that's like one of the funniest comments I've read in a while. Somebody please get this man a beer.
Wow, it did a good time. Go Focus!
I think that's the part I most enjoy out of this competition..I was so glad to see the ST this year..its a nice hot hatch. Ford has come a long way
I was thinking the same, it's really astonishing. What a car!!!
I bought my focus largely based on the great press its been getting. Great to see it put up against these monsters. Keep it up with the everyman cars!
I love the low dollar underdogs. Last year the BRZ. This year the Focus ST. While I really enjoy watching and learning about the high dollar cars in MT's BDC, what fun it is to watch the much more affordable cars thrown in there for comparison, and even more fun to watch them hold there own in terms of track enjoyment when compared to cars that are many times more money, even when they place in the back of the pack.
I talked to the dealerships around and they said they would likely have some by 2014 but the mk7 GTI is the one im talking about. It's not really competing against the Mustang and TT but they are almost the same price. The TT is essentially based on the GTI platform so expect it to be lighter and faster just like the new GTI is from the older version.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind? Hope your day gets better, man.
yeah. he has done a great job. honestly driven tons of horses from 4.6 to 5.0. there ok only cause there auto boxes. I dont like there auto trans. would love to try the boss 302 horse tho but havent had a chance. will be great if the RS makes it to the US but not counting on it.
July 2013 issue of Car and Driver, you can fine it on their website as well, I am talking about the new 2014 GTI (mk7) not the older GTI (mk6) on which the Golf R you are talking about is based
Entertaining and livable as a daily driver for the average American. Some courageous choices by Ford, too. I like this car and I think it is a good sign that some American-native manufacturers (at least Ford) might finally "get it" when it comes to enthusiasts.
It seems like Randy had a lot of positive things to say about the ST, I doubt it will come in first but I bet it will be higher than expected.
gotta love fwd torque steer, grip it and rip it, awesome lap
I think the Focus ST has a real chance at winning. Seriously this is getting me excited. As a car you can live with and enjoy driving every day it's main competition in my eyes are of course the cayman and carrera. The real underdog I don't think anyone is really looking at is the merc wagon. That thing is a beast. utility, speed, comfort AAANND IT CAN CORNER?!?!? That's fierce competition. Only issue I see is price. That's where the focus will have it.
EXACTLY!! It's set a new bar for fwd cars. None of the other cars on here have done anything remotely close to that. Not only that it's got utility, price, and livable on it's side as well. Honestly I want a pulsar GTi-R but if I can put that 7500 bucks down on a focus st I'm doin it!!! lol
I hope FORD bring this car to Brazil, a love this ST version !
Got to love the hot hatchbacks. Excellent value for the money.
It's great little car. It has received a lot of attention everywhere. Only thing is the hard ride but it's aimed at younger buyers who don't mind that. They want the sportiness and fast cornering for a low price.
Own a Focus ST, AWESOME CAR!!! Goin for the underdog, go ST!!!! :)
Thank you for the video
Randy knows what he's talking about. He can really push the slower cars to their limits!
Did he say wrong wheel drive in the beginning? Haha
yes
Randy can drive with NO HANDS! He's that good.
I'm really surprised at how good of a lap time he threw down on the ST, I expected it to be way higher.
TheGT500 hasn't been modified or upgraded over the last couple of years, whereas the Focus ST is an all new platform for this calender year. Why don't you watch one of the previous MT videos where they actually explain why certain cars are and aren't in the lineup.
1/3rd of this video is just credits. Starts at 2:29. Almost a minute and a half of pure excitement right there buddy.
That little car did an impressive lap time!
Wow, this was a few seconds faster than the Subaru BRZ from last years competition.
Ford Europe make and always have damn good cars!!!
Hey, I just got a Focus ST. One of the biggest things I had in my mind while making a decision was how long the brakes would last with that differential the car used. I read an article by an electrical engineer who managed to disable the system when he put the ST into full "ESC disabled" mode, but he said the driving dynamics weren't nearly as good as when the brakes were assisting the wheels. What exactly happened, as one ST driver to another, so I could perhaps avoid this?
The black helps a TON. I love the WRX styling but not as much the MS3.
I am in Canada and the price for the ST at a Ford dealer is so much more than the price in the US, almost $10,000 more plus tax which puts it at about $40,000 plus it wasn't available for a test drive.
The Focus ST is as fun to drive as almost anything. Even if you've driven fast front-wheel drive cars before, do yourself a favor and go drive an ST hard. It's a different experience. Supercar levels of grip, steering that's telepathic, an engine that just pulls and pulls, and a great noise.
Do the Fiesta St soon please people at Motortrend
Agree, would love to see the Mustang with 2.3l ecoboost
looking at this comparing to my 12 year old acura rsx....252hp and 3196 lbs, RSX 200hp and 2800 lbs. 12.68 lb/hp and 14 lb/hp. Pretty close. No reason to sell my girl yet, running strong 195,000 miles and 35mpg. Nice video though. Randy is the MAN!
This car is handling its business on the track.
can we have some bloopers and practice lap video for fun?
If you say so, I personally have nothing against the Focus ST but I prefer the GTI so I personally believe they were right.
Yea, Ford Focus!
That´s why the megane still have the lap record for a front wheel drive on the nurburgring!!!
I see. Thank you kind sir.
Love my ST!!! Same color too :p
Wrong. The new ST was designed and developed by Ford's Global Performance Vehicle division which is made up of SVT from the USA, and Team RS from Europe, making this third generation ST a joint venture. However, the Ecoboost engine has been in Focuses since 2009 (2nd generation Focuses), but the ST's Ecoboost has been tuned to be more sporty obviously.
Randy Pobst rules the track !!!
Wait for 2015 Focus RS with monster 2.3 l ecoboost 4 pot with 320-350 hp and 310-320 ft pound torque between 2000-5500 rpm and revoknucle front suspension and a true mechanical slip diff controlled electrically just like the 2015 GTI, its gonna be a revelation 4 FWD cars
Ya I 2 buddy, the reason Y i tell the old RS is itself an awesome car cuz, in official timings made by magazines the time was 8:26 but in some other Focus RS owners made time of 8:10,8:12 etc, also the Megane RS cup 250 that achieved those lap times is a track setup car its totally hardcore and cant be driven on road without jarring our back, so Focus RS was more daily driver friendly as well, I 2 hope 2015 type R vs Focus RS will b 1 2 watch 4, VW is preparing a monster 390hp Golf R
i totally want to see a car chase with a Focus and a Benltey now
Time has gone by soo fast. It feels like yesterday that the Porsche 911 was chosen best drivers car.
Blue Ford Focus:Running for Blue Collar Workers,respect.
If this car came with double clutch and easier seats to sit in, I would buy it in a flash
Its the best performance for the price and its a easy everyday driver
Thanks man
:-)
Looking forward to the BRZ's lap!
It is a $27k Ford Focus with 252hp
i didn't see 1 hard driving when he was driving the 300K black series.
+jeff rosenberg Well you were wrong about that. The RS is here and I finally took delivery of mine today!
It's not wrong wheel if you look at the entire hot hatch segment, but when you're comparing it to 500+BHP cars of course it's going to be wrong wheel drive because there's no way you could control a 400+BHP FWD car since the torque steer would rip the wheel out of your hands.
I love me some Focus ST
don't blame Motor Trend, they only test the cars that the makers GIVE THEM. Look at Dodge for example, they didn't give them the Viper because they wanted their own event. The line up of cars that Motor Trend gets is dependent on what cars they are given to test, what, do you think MotorTrend owns all these cars?
While I don't necessarily disagree that the Ford has an incredibly slim chance at winning, I'd like to point out that MT actually has a fairly large Ford bias. I'm guessing that the Ford finishes top three, fourth at the absolute worst. Think about last year where the BRZ came in second (or third?). It's not all about sheer performance. Price and practicality play a large part in this as well.
This is about how the car feels to drive, not the lap times. Obviously a FWD with 250 hp is not going to smoke a rear or awd car in terms of lap times.
1980's supercar performance for a very good price.
As an owner of an ST, I can safely assure you that the car does not sound quite like a V8 Turbo. However, I can also assure you that, because of how the induction noises get vented into the cabin, the car sounds a bit deeper than your typical I4. I could understand how one might mistake it for a 6 or 8 cylinder car (based on the cabin noise).
Also, (you're*) -- FTFY. Might not want to call someone "retarded" when you don't know the difference between "your" and "you're."
Yes, really great car, you can feel that the car is designed, engineered and build in Germany. I was very surprised when I saw the "Made in Germany" sticker inside and checked it out. there you go, a german in disguise ;-)
That moment when 1/3 of the video are the credits.
If it doesn't come with steel-braided brake lines, it should. That would make all the difference.
I suppose it's pretty relative. I personally thought that he was acting fairly normal. And if anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself driving the ST. And while I'll always take a lower price, the ST is pretty evenly priced with its competitors.
i knew the time would turn out like that
Not a problem dude.
Saw my first one on the road yesterday. Looks too boy racer.
I'm not bashing your RSX-S, because those are great cars.. But the Focus ST has torque. That's something that you just don't get with a 2 liter without forced induction. The handling is also on another planet for a front-wheel drive car. 0.98G on the skidpad. It's absurd.
"Oh when you drive the Porsche you touch the face of God" Hahahahaha!! That's hilarious dude, and you have a point. It seems like the German stuff wins BestDriver'sCar a lot.
the 2015 Ford Focus RS with revoknuckle Front suspension and all round disc brakes and a electronically controlled mechanical slip diff is coming, its got a cracking 2.3l ecoboost power plant with 320-340 bhp and 310 to 320 ft pound torque on overboost, it will be fast and will be lighter than the current RS Focus and will have better interior and features as well, Its gona be the GOD of FWD cars, I ve already placed bet on the new RS,no other car other than Renault megane(2 hadcore)can touch it
Why was the Focus was chosen? Because in the US one cannot get the Renault-sport Megane 265 Cup or RS...Both beat the Ford like an orphan.
The Focus ST is a German/British car. Designed by Ford of Europe.
the recording of the car engine sound inside the cabin sounds 85% like a Mclaren MP4-12c
And less than 3 seconds off the Bentley! Godspeed, little doodle!
Shame the mkvii gti was not available for Randy to compare.
Ah yes I forgot that the Mustang is getting an I-4, but none the less the two cars don't really compete against each other.
Both are designed for different purposes but just end up being around the same price.
Good job,little focus!!! :-)
lol where did you see that? Motor Trend put the Focus ST against the new Golf R and the focus won hands down...you can't turn stability control off the Golf R, and I'm sure you can't do it on a GTI either.
Thats okay. I was a big fan of the old Mustang SVO 2.3, Shelby Charger, and Omni GLHS (Goes Like Hell Sum'more) . They were import killer cheap 4 bangers. I heard the GLHS was cheaper than Honda Civic. Cobalt SS and SRT-4 are great, but not as wicked as GLHS was.
RUN FOCUS, RUN~!
Holy shit, the focus just went 3sec slower than the bentley and it costs 12x less.... omg
I personally drive this car. Stage 3 now. it needed alot of work to make it "RIGHT" if you will. from short throw shifter, to a stage 2 rear engine mount everything to get this thing to 311 HP-To the WHEELS, dynoed. 23psi of boost. just to make it feel the way you thought it would when buying it. mine is how the ST should have came. its also 2900 pounds instead of the 3100 ish. love the car for my first sports car. but if you have the money for one. buy a 2008-2010 BMW M3... you WONT regret it. or a STI/EVO anything but the ST or the RS! yes the RS! it has head gasket issues and the valves clog with carbon deposits
jahahahahahhaha wrong wheel drive?!?! Carlos, you actually said that!
The advertisement even said GLHS kills Ferraris Mondial and other European cars.
Very nice
Putty you guys don't get the Renault Megane RS 265 over there, that's an amazing car. But this Focus ST is ok, but expect the Focus RS to be just amazing.