Ford is considering 305-hp 2009 Ford Focus RS to the U.S., Would You Buy It?

no

Yes

Sold! I would buy one over the current STI hatch, the Ford has better lines.

only if it was AWD or RWD.

TITCR

Hell no. The focus is a piece of garbage. Would you put a 300hp engine on a Ford Pinto?

Were you even born when the Pinto was in Production?

Do any you naysayers have any idea how good the European Focus RS has been?

This car would probably put a Subaru WRX or an EVO in their places real quick.

At a time when gas prices have eased, or should I say paused, Ford thoughts turn to putting a 300+ HP engine in a Focus.

Really what has changed about US auto manufacturers' point of view in 20+ years? It is still how fast, as if it was the 1960's.

I read somewhere that towns are giving more speeding tickets than ever since there is a shortage of state money in almost/every state and this is just the car to collect a few.

The RS models has been around for some 30 years now and has always been high performance vehicles. The model before this had something like 270 hp, so it's not that they waited for gas prices to ease to do this, that is very, very short sighted thinking. The RS is a legend and trend setter in Europe. It is about time Ford has considered bringing this car here. It won't be cheap, but in limited volumes, every model would sell.

then include the valentine radar detector and license plate covers that glare the speed cams in your financing.

It's incredible how intelligent this conversation this is and how uninformed 2 individuals can be.

this would be an amazing car for ford to bring over here. As long is it exactly like the european model!!!!! no compromises!!!!!!!!!!!!!read my lips ford Exactly like the european model!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

even the crappy american focus isnt a bad car for the moneythis is light years ahead of the US version

I'd have to see what the Chevy Cruze would be like first

? Why the Cruze? ???????????? I could see if a base or ST Focus model was offered, but these are polar opposited model lines. You won't get an eco-mode in the RS. As a matter of fact, it would drink the Cruze juice as well. the RS is no joke, I'm sure priced around the same or more that a Subie WRX STi or Mitsu EVO X.

The current Subaru Impreza WRX STI already has a 2.5L 305hp engine, so American buyers had that to choose from to start with. The Subaru also has a unique racing heritage. However, it would be awesome to have an American option in this class of car for Americans ourselves.

The blue one for me please!

Wow. You really know your stuff...however, a few quick things to point out from a different perspective.

Lincoln LS did not get a manual due to the impact on overall ride and driving characteristics to the vehicle. It was a very competent vehicle, out handling the 5-series in slalom tests. No doubt the Mustang shifter would have fit precisely in this type of vehicle - same driving style right?

Mustang solid rear axle. Talk to a Mustang owner perhaps and find out that is one of the reasons they remain loyal to the vehicle instead of jumping ship. The live rear axle offers a drive characteristic that is defined and unique to Mustang. Which Mustang enthusiast even looks at a Lexus IS350?

Finally, great idea to develop a V10 for a single vehicle so the capital can;t be amortized over other vehicle programs -- that is simply stupid. See Lexus' investment in their V10 (still waiting aren't we?), they can't make a business case. Also, didn;t the Ford GT whip the 360 Modena which it was developed to do? Now Ford is finally coming around to develop global vehicles and send them to all markets. I for one am ready and waiting.

I hope Ford can pull out of this economic debacle the strongest of ANY manufacturer; a tighter more focused company that gets back to bringing great cars to everybody.

This is no blunder. This is the latest and greatest (read the online reviews of numerous euro mags that already hail this the greatest hot hatch, if not ever) installment of RS hatches. Ford of Europe has a deep rich history of building hot hatches (look it up, not all of them great!) and this is a big deal. As big as a new Mustang over here.

'Whats that?' I hear you say. I understand if in America the concept is lost on many who were raised on a diet of muscle cars and hatches were for those who couldnt afford anything better.

Well, if Ford bring it to the US and I get an opportunity to buy one at US and not euro prices, I'll get one for sure.

For those who are already haters and haven't sampled a euro focus or the old Cosworths and RS Fords, bite your tongue and drive it when it gets here! You'll get your first glance as one passes you and you can't catch it.

They are only NOW considering this?!?!? This focus has been in Europe forever and is leaps and bounds better than the crap one we have in North America...

I have to agree with pretty much everything that Inline6 said...another fine example of how the "Big" Three are WAAAAAYYYY behind the curve.

As and EVO owner I say, bring it. There is nothing like AWD, turbocharged, light weight, car to kick a little tail every now and again. Yes, Ford is way way behind the curve, but the will gain market share. Everyone who knows about Ford and rally wishes the RS200 would have made it to the States. It kinda pisses me off that they are so late to the table with this. I suppose thats why they're in a SNAFU, among other things.

...maybe the could do some nice upgrades to get a step ahead. Direct injection, beefier trannys, internals to match, kind of a wish list of all the performance items one would like to see, and still remain true to the sport of rally, while still kicking ass on the street.

I only wish we had the Escort Cosworth over in the states back in the 90s too.

The Focus RS in Europe is considered at the top of the hot hatches. In fact it beat out the Renault Megane R20 in handling according "Car" magazine. It will certainly out perform and out handle any VW GTI by a wide margin. Also it looks coupe like. Now that VW is officially not bringing the Scirocco across the pond(incredibly stupid move),this would more then take it's place.

I think the reason the manual wasn't in a mid lux V8 sedan offered Lincoln would seem low budget. That is stupid because the BMW 5 Series offered it . Americans can be very stodgy when it come to things like this.

OK yes, that is certainly the PR and Media side of it. We will see what the objective AutoMags have to say about bringing the RS here. They will certainly say it is about time; however, what they may not mention is that no RS can pass NA vehicle regulations or would have been priced in the stratosphere. However, I will BET when the business case gets figured out and the vehicles DO show up on our shores they will be the first to retrospect how all of the Euro performers should have been here ages ago. The AutoMags (save Automobile) are the best hindsight people in the biz.

This will NEVER Make it's way over to the US under the present political climate...Doesn't matter that Ford didn't get any "Bail Out" money.

Cars=Appliances=Political Correctness

O.K. Maybe if it gets "Tuned-Down" to about 210hp

Hell yeah I would buy it. The American Focus looks like a 5 year old stretched a wet blanket over something that resembles a car. The European Focus RS is a hot hatch with strong lines and an aggressive stance. This is definitely a move that Ford should make. With the economy the way it is this move might actually put some coin in Ford's pocket.

me, no. But I have lots of friends that would...