2018 Ford Focus RS - Phil's Morning Drive - S2E7

2018 is the final year for the Ford Focus RS. Lots of last years options are now standard and the production is very limited. Find out all the details and what it's like to drive in this episode.
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[@hendo7798]

Very good review right on the money cheers from Australia 👍

[@radodrill]

Simply the fact that the 2018 RS includes the Quaife LSD is a huge plus as this wasn't even a factory option on the 2016/2017. It was offered as an accessory through Ford Performance Parts, but it cost ~$1200 and on top of that there was the cost of install. If you consider that the MSRP of the 16/17 with the RS2 package and forged alloy wheels is only $350-$500 less than the base price of the '18; then it's well worth it as you get nearly 1K worth of carbon trim and the LSD installed from the factory. Having extensively driven both a '17 and now owning an '18 I can honestly say that the LSD does make a noticeable difference. Without it, the dynamic torque vectoring felt more intrusive as it was using the brakes more, while the LSD would kick in before the torque vectoring would be required.

[@fightingcarrot]

how's the day to day driving experience for you? I also have an 80lb dog I'm afraid does not fit in the hatch.

[@fentol8936]

This is a beast

[@djwarren5081]

I own a Focus RS in the UK although mine has the optional shell seats. A good and accurate assessment.

[@sparkford04]

Hope you both don't suffer from the dreaded coolant consumption ending in a new engine or in some cases dealer service dept just replace head gasket. No clear directive from Ford CS to owners ,yet the problem has been known for over 15months now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJLRZH-Lh66kac0

[@djwarren5081]

keith morris Talk of a HG replacement soon. Only seems to affect a small percentage of cars. Mine OK so far.

[@jamesmcclendon3932]

DJ: you lucky dog! The U.S. didn't offer the shell Recaros back in 2016; however, they finally got their head out of their ass and know we in the U.S. can buy them! Yay!!

[@steng2495]

Gas tank is comparable to other sports cars. My Evo has a 14 gallon tank and I get about 200 to 250 miles to a tank.

[@alinazverev2006]

we probably won't see anymkre hatchbacks, like come on, I LOVE HATCHBACKS, they stopped making subaru hatchbacks, and now ford?!?!?!

[@steng2495]

I disagree. I think the seats are way too tight. The front digs into your hamstrings and the lumbar support digs into your back even when you adjust it my back hurts even a couple minutes into the ride. Wish they had they Type R seats.

[@andyp8464]

steng2495 are they not very adjustable?

[@steng2495]

Andy P the leg support doesn’t. The lumbar support there is a button to move it forward or back. Sit in the Type R and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

[@jamesmcclendon3932]

Steng: Ok, you don't like the seats! Besides, a Rally car driver wants the seats tight so they won't slide all over the place! Remember, at the end of the day, the RS is a Rally car!

[@mrmister7526]

Loose weight and you'll be fine.

[@poker_18rs92]

Someone told me a long time ago that anyone over a 32" waist will hate those seats.

[@edjohnson1788]

The only mechanical difference between the 2016/17 RS and the 2018 RS is the limited-slip front differential. Phil's video is 15 minutes long, but he never mentions this key difference which some reviewers (Australian) have found to be a marked improvement. Nor does Phil mention the head gasket problems associated with the RS. In brief, this video exemplifies why the RS does not sell well in America. Phil presumably knows more about performance cars than 99% of Americans, but even he does not really know key pros & cons of the RS. ( I am assuming that he did not mention the head gasket issue to gloss over the problem and help sell the car.)

[@areyou0k98]

ed johnson they found the head gasket issue problem, and cars that had the right head gasket have been fine

[@edjohnson1788]

Hope that was the cause. Ford should notify owners which may have had the wrong head gasket fitted.

[@areyou0k98]

ed johnson yeah some mechanics took a look at a faulty focus engine and it was found out that some focus rs were equipped with the 2.3 liter mustang head gasket instead of the 2.3 liter focus rs head gasket which caused the engine to malfunction. Hopefully that will be the fix

[@sparkford04]

Have Ford CS told you that as a fact????

[@sparkford04]

Totally agree, no transparency to owners worldwide. Prettyshit Blue Oval.

[@DrwcMichel]

:)