torque steer ahoy

[REED]

Word has been out on the MS3 for a while now, however, I didn't think it would actually be this good...

w00t w00t

Scan of article from Car and Driver and SCC

Obviously SCC isn't exactly the greatest source for high quality car reviews, however, the car does seem very enticing

[CaptainHenreh]

Mmmm....

[JustinG]

after driving an MS6 i wont have my hopes up for this car either, and its FWD, when i was Testdriving the MS6 the dealer was hyping this car up as an STi & EVO killer, it has alot to live upto if thats true....

[Evan]

edit: does have LSD

wtf is a Tochiugishikuichi conical seat LSD?

[Mike]

hurray for spinning tires!

[JustinG]

^^^^yea FWD FTL

[CaptainHenreh]

^^^^yea FWD FTL

Says the guy who drove the how many horsepower Eclipse RS?

Personally, I think that the MS3 is going to be alot better than the MS6. I mean, the 3 I drove on the time-match felt as fast in the corners as the MS6, add 100 horsepower, a proper transmission, and you might have something there. Remember, the Euro Focus ST (Same platform as the 3) has the turbo I-5 making 220hp, and it seems to get rave reviews...the biggest complaints being the large size of the motor affecting handling and the turbo lag, both of which will be alleviated with the DISI motor. Clearly at least Mazda has no problem bringing it here, maybe Ford won't be able to pull the "American Fuel sucks so we can't bring our hot hatch here" line, and we'll see this 2.3 turbo in a Focus someday...maybe.

[Feersty]

^^^^yea FWD FTL

Says the guy who drove the how many horsepower Eclipse RS?

Personally, I think that the MS3 is going to be alot better than the MS6. I mean, the 3 I drove on the time-match felt as fast in the corners as the MS6, add 100 horsepower, a proper transmission, and you might have something there. Remember, the Euro Focus ST (Same platform as the 3) has the turbo I-5 making 220hp, and it seems to get rave reviews...the biggest complaints being the large size of the motor affecting handling and the turbo lag, both of which will be alleviated with the DISI motor. Clearly at least Mazda has no problem bringing it here, maybe Ford won't be able to pull the "American Fuel sucks so we can't bring our hot hatch here" line, and we'll see this 2.3 turbo in a Focus someday...maybe.

Just because I was curious...

While Ford of Europe has dropped its plans for an ultra high performance Focus RS that was said to produce up to 350 bhp, it has soldiered on with the development of a new Focus ST. While it doesn't live up to the hype generated by the RS rumors, the new ST will handily trounce the old Focus RS around the Nurbürgring. It features a 2.5L Duratec five-cylinder that's turbocharged to produce 222 bhp, which will propel the hatchback to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The suspension and brakes have been upgraded and the exterior has also been tweaked for more attitude. We especially like the 18-inch alloys filling out the fender flares. On sale starting October 1st, the new Focus ST will begin at £17,495 or $32,180. Just goes to show you how different the Euro Focus is from the one sold in the U.S., as Americans wouldn't pay over $32,000 for a Focus if it was dipped in gold and filled with lottery tickets.

[NTIman]

I don't think a turbo focus would be a hard feat to do for cheap,if Ford wasn't an old guy car company.

The MS3 will probably not be that fast of a car,nor will it trounce on all comparable cars performance wise,but I guarantee it will be a fun car to drive.

[CaptainHenreh]

Just because I was curious...

Were you just posting that "just because"? Because the Volvo S40 (with the same Turbo I-5) is based on the Mazda3/MkII Ford Focus platform and certainly doesn't cost 32,000 dollars. In fact, even in AWD trim, it'll only hit you 29,000...and it's a volvo. Surely a Focus would be cheaper?

[Andy]

This car seems like great coverage for guys with a significant other. "Honey, it's a 5 door, sort of like a Outback but smaller so it'll be easier to manage.