Most comparison test does not start on a quiet, brilliantly curved, the sun-dappled in southern Europe. This one almost ended up there when, surprised to find a UK registered Volkswagen Golf R, Ford threatened to confiscate the keys of the new Ford Focus RS is from us, but that's another story.
No, this comparison test, like many others of us, starting when I climbed into Golf R outside the lock-up close to Heathrow on a Friday night after work and prepare for driving in the two countries. This is the sort of thing that could give the new Focus RS a very difficult time, because when it comes to Golfs in general, and Rs particular, familiarity bore nothing but contempt.
Yes, you'll already know Ford is brilliant if you have visited or read Autocar in the last week / three-week / six weeks (delete as applicable). But the Golf R is anything but second-rate. Some people might put this money into a certainty. I'm not one of them before I started, and even less so when I arrived at Valencia.
You find out quite a lot about the car if you drive 1,300 miles in two days, even if 98% of it is 80 mph straight line schlep cruise control. Occasional slip road roundabout and reminds you what to do Golf R when the roads turn the corner. Rest of the way to remind you of what Golf is good at all times, regardless of what letter comes after his name.
VW, you see, does not quite have the same ethos as Ford when it comes to his sports car. The closest equivalent ST model 'Ford is GTIS VW. ST is an everyday car that can be used given the dynamic makeover passable. Ford RS program, though, is something different: a team dispenses with everyday usability and replace it with focus and sharpness. Ford is ready to provide quality driving to handling; it will allow the steering corruption if it gives the feel and so on.
I suspect, as the miles start to add, that they do not have those kinds of conversations in Wolfsburg. Yes, the Golf R has provided some quality travel far for body control and handling sharpness, but it remained a very easy car where to drive hundreds of miles in a day.
Provided, that is, you make full use drive mode. Golf - such as Ford, as we shall see - have settings that regulate things like damper stiffness, notes the engine and steering response. Ford would not dirty himself with the word 'Comfort' in the RS, but VW is possible and, although it may be a slight overstatement by standard Golf SE, R received at the company rose 235/35 R19 Bridgestones.
There was a touch on the type of surface fragility poor vanished pretty much as soon as you are on the right side of the driving of the Channel, but always composed and controlled. It directs pleasingly, too: fast at 1.9 turns between locks but, like all German car that I can think, never restless, thanks to a lot of high-speed straight-line development work in the country.
Ergonomically, it's as good as it always is. The driving position is spot on, the steering wheel and pedals can be drawn ideally close spaced and perfectly weighted. It's not uncommon to find R with a six-speed manual gearbox rather than a dual-clutch auto, but I'm glad we did. Focus RS is a six-speed manual only, thus making them closer specification.
On the face of it, there is not so much in their mechanical specifications, what with their four-cylinder turbocharged engine, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. Even the tires are the same size if you go for the optional 19s at Golf.
Where the two differ most is in a bit greasy look. Focus this engine replaces a third of a liter more. It is 2.3, not 2.0, and the right to develop more power as a result: 345bhp instead of 296bhp. Which helps to gain in 0-62mph times (4.7sec versus 5.3sec), but I'm not worried about it. I never pushed Golf R and decided that it is needed more power. What will count is how they feel.
And that's where the difference in the four wheel drive system they will play their role. Tech biting approach: VW 4Motion system has a longitudinal coupling to transfer power to the rear wheels. Theoretically, it is possible to send 100% of torque to go back there, but you have to have the front wheels on the tub wet before deciding tears Golf is a place to put all the torque. Most of the time, Golf leads from the front and an electric whisk to the back when they want, and there is a suite of electronic systems using a stability control system to shift it when it gets there - by pushing the power of, say, to the outside rear wheel by braking in one. We knew it was a good system and we know that pre-empts your corner exit by preparing to send torque to the rear even when you turn in. I will remind myself how good it is when we get to set the same angle as the Focus.
On the face of it, there is not so much in their mechanical specifications, what with their four-cylinder turbocharged engine, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. Even the tires are the same size if you go for the optional 19s at Golf.
Where the two differ most is in a bit greasy look. Focus this engine replaces a third of a liter more. It is 2.3, not 2.0, and the right to develop more power as a result: 345bhp instead of 296bhp. Which helps to gain in 0-62mph times (4.7sec versus 5.3sec), but I'm not worried about it. I never pushed Golf R and decided that it is needed more power. What will count is how they feel.
And that's where the difference in the four wheel drive system they will play their role. Tech biting approach: VW 4Motion system has a longitudinal coupling to transfer power to the rear wheels. Theoretically, it is possible to send 100% of torque to go back there, but you have to have the front wheels on the tub wet before deciding tears Golf is a place to put all the torque. Most of the time, Golf leads from the front and an electric whisk to the back when they want, and there is a suite of electronic systems using a stability control system to shift it when it gets there - by pushing the power of, say, to the outside rear wheel by braking in one. We knew it was a good system and we know that pre-empts your corner exit by preparing to send torque to the rear even when you turn in. I will remind myself how good it is when we get to set the same angle as the Focus.
And Focus quickly. The second car is plenty fast enough, in all honesty, but the extra capacity Ford provides a more urgent response from low revs. No analog feedback of the machine, too: exhaust cracks and bangs on the lift-off (antisocially so that when you move into drive mode). VW sound - though far from bad - mostly from Symposer sound near the base of the dashboard. If that sounds a bit synthetic, that's because it is, while Ford is more visceral - more honestly. But none of that is a big difference between the two cars: no sound, no steering, no power, no driving position and interior. a marked difference between the Focus RS and Golf R - a marked difference between the Focus RS and the other things, not only in class but also in some of the classes above and below - is the way that Ford going around the corner.
The bulls Golf and angle capable, you understand. Lean back slightly and grip hard and you could feel the power of being shuffled around to prevent understeer and improve agility. The system worked well. Of torque sent to the rear and Golf is a masterclass of chassis neutrality. You can create understeer or oversteer just a little bit (in the wet circuit, you can make it do both a little more, obviously), but always precise and controlled. It's customizable and attractive, too, mind. There are shades of the steering wheel and the chassis responds passable your feet and your hands. That is why the 4.5-star car. It has not come all the way to Spain to get robbed.
But the way the angle Focus RS is a class apart. Apparently with more immediacy, it feels lighter on the toes and more customizable, and cornering speeds unheard of. If you want to corner faster, my suspicion is that not much of this side of the Nissan GT-R will allow it.
But still there is closeness, a sense and an adjustment there, too. This RS rear drivetrain want to help turn the car. Of course, on the way to the corners, Focus pivot around the center in a fast-Ford, tuck-in-asyou-lift means, but what it does once you get back in the throttle much more attractive, even in Normal mode. rear chassis feels positive bias, more so as you change through mode, but the similarity of all-wheel drive security, say, BMW M235i will come without.
All the while body control - even in the damper settings' softer, but especially so if you tighten them, as you can in each drive mode by pressing the indicator stalk end - absolutely sensational.
RS goes around corners like no other car I can think of. Not having chuckability light of the Renault Mégane Trophy, or pure rear drive from BMW, and have more customization and the ability of the Golf R. A Nissan GT-R may be the most resemble behind his bias, shuffly mode. Nissan is midcorner may be faster, too, but then had. This is also the view cursed more brittle and uncomfortable. And Ford cost less than £ 30k. Extraordinary.
more than almost anything through the corner, if that's the basis on which we judge these comparisons. Do not misunderstand: I'm far from happy to climb back to the Golf R to the back foot - perhaps happier, in fact. As a compromise, as the proposition of ownership, VW still need a heck of a lot of beating. But as an opportunity, as an event, a car for you to simply get to and encourage crackers from it, Focus RS is phenomenal.
Ford Focus RS
Price £ 29,995; 0-62mph 4.7sec; Top speed 165mph; Economic 36.7mpg; 175g CO2 / km; Kerb weight 1599kg; 4 cyls layout engine, 2261cc, turbo, petrol; Installing front, transverse, 4WD; Power 345bhp at 6000rpm; 325lb ft of torque at 2000-4500rpm (347lb ft on overboost); Power to weight 216bhp per tonne; Specific output of 152bhp per liter; 6-spd manual gearbox; Length 4390mm; Width 1823mm; Height 1472mm; Wheelbase 2647mm; 51 liter fuel tank; Ranged 412 miles; Boot 260 liters; The front suspension is MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; Multi-link rear suspension, coil springs, anti-roll bar; 350mm ventilated disc brakes (f), 302mm ventilated discs (r); 8Jx19in wheel; Tires 235/35 YR19
Volkswagen Golf R
The price of £ 31 745; 0-62mph 5.3sec; Top speed of 155mph; Economic 39.8mpg; 165g CO2 / km; Kerb weight 1476kg; 4 cyls layout engine, 1984cc, turbo, petrol; Installing front, transverse, FWD; Power 296bhp at 5500-6200rpm; Torque of 280lb ft at 1800-5500rpm; Power to weight 198bhp per tonne; Specific output of 149bhp per liter; 6-spd manual gearbox; Length 4596mm; Width 1799mm; Height 1467mm; Wheelbase 2630mm; 55 liter fuel tank; Ranged 495 miles; Boot 340 liters; The front suspension is MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; Multi-link rear suspension, coil springs, anti-roll bar; 340mm ventilated disc brakes (f), 310mm ventilated discs (r); 8Jx19in wheel; Tires 235/35 ZR19
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