[Hoonigan]

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By Andrew Hard, February 5, 2015

The debut of the new Ford Focus RS was an exciting moment for all hot hatch aficionados, but it looks like the turbocharged five-door will have a greater impact than we thought.

Speaking to Autocar, Ford’s VP of Product Development Raj Nair said that manual gearboxes would be prominently featured in the future of the RS lineup, slowing the inevitable decay of stick shifts across the automotive landscape.

“All our current research says that customers really like these kinds of cars to have a manual gearbox,” he said. “We’ll keep looking at market trends, and of course we’ll give customers what they want, but for now the manual stays.”

According to Ford, the RS’ 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine makes “well in excess of 315 horsepower” and is mated to a six-speed manual. Unlike the Volkswagen Golf R with which it will compete, the Focus has no dual-clutch option.

The Focus RS will also be the company’s first vehicle to equip All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, but it likely won’t be the last.

“It would be fair to suggest that we’ll be looking to use the technology in other ways in the future,” said Tyrone Johnson, engineering manager of the RS.

The technology utilizes two electronically controlled clutch packs on each side of the car’s rear drive unit, which govern both front/rear torque split and side-to-side power delivery. To keep the hot hatch on its toes, the control module monitors vehicle sensors 100 times per second.

What does it do with all that data? Depending on steering angle, lateral acceleration, yaw, and speed, it directs varied amounts of torque to the rear outside wheel during cornering. The result, Ford says, is a virtual elimination of understeer and lateral grip of more than 1g.

As if we didn’t need another reason to want this thing.

Ford Focus RS | Will be offered with manual and AWD only | Digital Trends

 

[COBBST]

Great read. Thanks for posting!

EDIT: Very glad to know that the RS will have a true manual gearbox!

 

[STenthusiaST]

Love it. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish about 10% of the time we had a DCT... and then I remember when I really get into it that I love my manuals. Its literally all I have ever had in my cars.

Ford really seems to watch what people want (I think they watch sites like this, which makes our opinions mean something). High Revving NA V8's in the Mustang, AWD and great tire in the RS... They really have something special, and the fact they keep it manual only in those models just screams "We care about our enthusiasts". If you want a mustang with an Automatic trans, buy a GT premium and call it good. Part of what makes the ST's so good is that you're required to be involved. If you want an easy DD that still has some fun in it... buy a GTi and be soft.

That said, we're all waiting for a gt500 to answer the hellcat.... just saying... your move Ford. You already have the Camaro beat, now time to slaughter SLOPAR

 

[RieBauer17]

Ford is doing a great job of keeping the manuals alive. Because I like to be lazy sometimes I would prob talk myself into an auto, but in the end id have wished for the manual, so Ford will be doing me a favor.

 

[teej_MI]

I'm happy theres still some smart people in the world. I'll probably get flamed for this but IDC it is my opinion.

I don't understand why you buy a performance car like a vette(not sure if they offer auto, just saying) or a great example: CTS-V and get an auto in it. I completely understand not everyone likes to row, gotta appeal to the consumer all that crap blah blah, yeah I get it from a business standpoint....But as the person buying it, why wouldn't you want to be involved with the car and shifting and doing a driver mod and becoming a quick driver and having FUN while doing it?! To each his own, but for me, if I'm buying anything for performance to say the least, it HAS to be manual because I think that's part of driving a performance car. Not to mention it makes driving much more fun AND forces you to pay attention more to what is happening on the road around you..

Thankfully Ford see's that point...If I offended anyone with a fast auto, I apologize. NOT the intent of my post, just had to get this of my chest.

 

[RieBauer17]

I'm happy theres still some smart people in the world. I'll probably get flamed for this but IDC it is my opinion.

I don't understand why you buy a performance car like a vette(not sure if they offer auto, just saying) or a great example: CTS-V and get an auto in it. I completely understand not everyone likes to row, gotta appeal to the consumer all that crap blah blah, yeah I get it from a business standpoint....But as the person buying it, why wouldn't you want to be involved with the car and shifting and doing a driver mod and becoming a quick driver and having FUN while doing it?! To each his own, but for me, if I'm buying anything for performance to say the least, it HAS to be manual because I think that's part of a true performance car.

Thankfully Ford see's that point...If I offended anyone with a fast auto, I apologize. NOT the intent of my post, just had to get this of my chest.

Every situation is different. A relative of mine bought a brand new vette back in 05 and it was purchased with an auto to please the wife and so that she could drive it too. So theres one reason lol.

 

[teej_MI]

Every situation is different. A relative of mine bought a brand new vette back in 05 and it was purchased with an auto to please the wife and so that she could drive it too. So theres one reason lol.

oh and I know there are reasons out there, and that happens to be a great one. I'm looking at it from an enthusiast stand point if you even want to call it that. I couldn't see myself walking into a Lotus dealer with $60k in my pocket and tell the guy I WANT DA EXIGE S IN AUTO PREEEEEZ....

 

[RieBauer17]

oh and I know there are reasons out there, and that happens to be a great one. I'm looking at it from an enthusiast stand point if you even want to call it that. I couldn't see myself walking into a Lotus dealer with $60k in my pocket and tell the guy I WANT DA EXIGE S IN AUTO PREEEEEZ....

Yea I'm with you on that one. The fact that a lot of auto transmissions now get better mpg's than manuals isnt helping the case. Not that anybody here really cares about mpg's, but when buying a car I definitely take notice.

 

[teej_MI]

Yea I'm with you on that one. The fact that a lot of auto transmissions now get better mpg's than manuals isnt helping the case. Not that anybody here really cares about mpg's, but when buying a car I definitely take notice.

i think if you're buying something for daily use, definitely. Otherwise screw it buy a v10 lol

 

[PHOKUS]

Every situation is different. A relative of mine bought a brand new vette back in 05 and it was purchased with an auto to please the wife and so that she could drive it too. So theres one reason lol.

I might be the only one here with this opinion, but unless there is some medical or physical reason my wife couldn't operate a manual, I completely disagree with this reasoning. If the wife wants to drive my car, she'll learn to drive a manual transmission. I would not option my car to make up for her laziness.

 

[RieBauer17]

I might be the only one here with this opinion, but unless there is some medical or physical reason my wife couldn't operate a manual, I completely disagree with this reasoning. If the wife wants to drive my car, she'll learn to drive a manual transmission. I would not option my car to make up for her laziness.

Well ive never been married nor do I know what it fully entails, but it was "their" money and not just a toy. In the end, I dont think she drove it once.

 

[Fuxalt]

Thank goodness. We need those 3 pedals.

 

[COBBST]

I might be the only one here with this opinion, but unless there is some medical or physical reason my wife couldn't operate a manual, I completely disagree with this reasoning. If the wife wants to drive my car, she'll learn to drive a manual transmission. I would not option my car to make up for her laziness.

Happy wife happy life LOL!!

I'm divorced. No one else drives my FoST!!

EDIT: You're not the only one with that opinion! I agree. Of course, I'm divorced now

 

[PHOKUS]

Well ive never been married nor do I know what it fully entails, but it was "their" money and not just a toy. In the end, I dont think she drove it once.

I get it, I really do. But if it's my performance car, I choose the options. Simple as that. If she wants to enjoy it too, great! But she'll need to know or be willing to learn how to drive a manual transmission.

Happy wife happy life LOL!!
View attachment 197
I'm divorced. No one else drives my FoST!!

EDIT: You're not the only one with that opinion! I agree. Of course, I'm divorced now

I make all sorts of compromises with my wife. So does she with me. It's a partnership. But there are some things we decide on our own, too. I have little input to her CG workstations and rendering materials. She gets what she wants/needs. Marriage is give and take. I'll take the manual transmission, thank you very much.

 

[COBBST]

I get it, I really do. But if it's my performance car, I choose the options. Simple as that. If she wants to enjoy it too, great! But she'll need to know or be willing to learn how to drive a manual transmission.



I make all sorts of compromises with my wife. So does she with me. It's a partnership. But there are some things we decide on our own, too. I have little input to her CG workstations and rendering materials. She gets what she wants/needs. Marriage is give and take. I'll take the manual transmission, thank you very much.

On a serious note, I think you're both (you and your wife) doing the right thing. It is about compromise and wanting to make each other happy. It is give and take and a lifelong commitment. I'm glad you and your wife are making it work.

 

[focus pilot]

my girlfriend refuses to learn how to drive stick. anything that keeps her out of my ST

 

[sda3]

I am so glad it will be manual. I haven't ever had a car that was mine that wasn't a manual and I probably never will. I love them, and you are so much more connected to the car and have so much more control over what the engine is doing. My wife can drive a manual and always had manuals until the most recent auto she has currently. She loves to ride in the ST, but she doesn't have much desire to drive it. She has only driven it twice in my 2 years of owning it.

 

[PHOKUS]

On a serious note, I think you're both (you and your wife) doing the right thing. It is about compromise and wanting to make each other happy. It is give and take and a lifelong commitment. I'm glad you and your wife are making it work.

Well-said, sir. This was the message I wished to articulate, but failed somewhat.

 

[teej_MI]

Well-said, sir. This was the message I wished to articulate, but failed somewhat.

i would say you got the message across..to me atleast haha im learnin that now at 23 but NOT married.

but back to topic, im actually looking for a DD beater to keep miles off the ST and Im considering getting a manual just cause its fun! ITS FUN!


becuz tapatalk

 

[OregonRS]

I haven't ever had a car that was mine that wasn't a manual and I probably never will.

Guess you won't be driving a modern truck any time soon then. Not many manuals left in that segment. I felt the same way a while ago and honestly I was wrong. There are good things about automatics, but it just depends on what the vehicle is used for.

As far as keeping the wife happy I agree with a lot of the people on here, it is a compromise, though mine is great hand can handle 3 pedals without a problem.