http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/future-cars/2016-ford-focus-rs-first-details-exclusive-insider-info I think I'd rather have an STi hatch, but there's nothing even on the drawing board, right?
yes, old pics, somewhat new story, I have been tracking this for some time and it appears slightly past the rumor stage.
Anyone who has followed ford can tell you not to hold your breath. Euro always gets the cool stuff, we don't...I dont think I need to list all of the cars we missed out on
But what about all the awesome Fords we have that aren't sold outside of North America? (and also in the Middle East I think...)
Right, STi has the DCCD and the rear is LSD correct? I wonder what Ford will do. Both my 2002 and 2009 WRXs were not LSD I think, I can still remember the sound of one front wheel spinning in the snow, then one rear wheel, then one front, and back again. Is the 2015 WRX the same?
Yeah 2015 wrx has open diffs front and back and viscous center like the 08+. 02-07 had a viscous rear and center diff. All STIs in the US have had LSD in front and back and DCCD. Who knows what ford will do for awd. Most manufacturers are going with open diffs using the brakes individually to shuffle power around because it's cheaper and good enough for most people.
I'd be happy with full mechanically linked 50:50 split, Torsen front, middle, and rear, and then ABS based slip control layered over that hardware package. You get a mechanically linked system, fast reaction of real mechanical diffs ala no fuss Torsen diffs, and ABS control to step in the specific low grip/tire lift situations where the Torsen acts like an open diff. I'm also perfectly happy with ABS based torque vectoring too and don't need anything more fancy/pointless. Really, I'm pretty much describing the 2015 STI here...lol. I'm kind of disappointed other manufacturers of awd systems just don't do the same. Yeah, yeah, anywhere you can save a buck, right? $ open diff <<< $$$ Torsen and let the ABS system sort the rest out. That's good enough, right? ...even if it's slower.
Also like it was previously mentioned, there are rumors that Mazda is planning on releasing an AWD MS3. Similarly there are rumors that Dodge is planning on releasing an AWD variant of the Dart (high perf). The WRX and STI are about to get a lot more competition regardless if Ford releases the RS here in the states. I would be surprised if Mitsubishi doesn't bring back the EVO at some point.
They first have to figure out a way to stay in america, they've been talking about it for a while now. (mitsu) I'm sure the evo is the last thing in their mind right now
I am sure they are trying to focus on building a market share before they go bust like Suzuki did in NA.
There may still be hope...this was just published via AutoBlog. http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/02/subaru-wrx-hatchback-spy-shots/
3x Torsen would be awesome. I wonder if the STi hatch would have a moonroof. I guess now I wait to see what hits the market first, I want a new car by late 2015.
Yea I'm not holding my breath that this is a WRX. I spoke to some people from SOA when they were here for the auto show and it doesn't sound like Subaru as a company is at all interested in making a performance hatchback anymore. I'm VERY interested to see about this supposed AWD Mazda3 speed though....
Yes, because SOA is a pinnacle of information. Also, they are definitely going to tell YOU their unpublished plans...
That is just not true. Its just that they don't want to bring it to america for whatever reason. They already have the Levorg in Japan which has the 2.0 DIT engine with 295hp.
