500 HP Focus ST TrackSTer

[mrardente]

500 HP...FWD.
Looks good, probably will be way too expensive.
Maybe if they had an AWD version I would consider.

http://jalopnik.com/5982481/ford-tra...-a-stupid-name

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[samagon]

*checks calendar* nope, not April 1st yet, this article needs to be tossed back in the cellar for a few more weeks at least.

[delongedoug]

Allow me: No AWD, no care.

[WhatTurboLag?]

I think it looks great. But it's still fwd. I'm just not a fan



Ill go look at it in a few days. It's at the Chicago auto show.

[DearDiaryJackpot]

So it will never be build. So I guess we are looking at a focus with a costume wide body kit?

[Sid03SVT]

hmm 252hp overwhelms the front tires... maybe MOAR HOARSPOWERS will fix tht problem!!!!!!!
Seriously though, does anybody really care about "high performance" FWD cars? meh I'll pass; make it RWD or AWD or GTFO

[4wdwrx]

It would have some serious launch capability... going in reverse.

[White out]

That looks amazing.

I too would like to see it AWD, but the ST never has been AWD, so it's understandable.

Now if they would have gone all nutzo and fitted the GT500 engine in it with a T56 and RWD... I would really like it.

[SWP n Gold]

You guys do realize there are 9 second Civics out there right? With the right tires, you can grip with FWD and a ton of power.

[torquemada]

[rob1n1]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

You guys do realize there are 9 second Civics out there right? With the right tires, you can grip with FWD and a ton of power.

9 seconds... In a straight line?...

[Stretch18]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

You guys do realize there are 9 second Civics out there right? With the right tires, you can grip with FWD and a ton of power.

M/T drag slicks?

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

You guys do realize there are 9 second Civics out there right? With the right tires, you can grip with FWD and a ton of power.

yes, 9 second civics, that are not streetable, did not come even close to that way from the factory, and have been specifically gutted and hand built for the purpose of getting down a quarter mile in 9 seconds; we are well aware that if you throw enough money at something it can hook up and go fast in a straight line, show me one of those 9 second civics with full interior and plates from a state that actually cares about vehicle safety and emissions, and is driven on a daily basis.

gettheheckouttahereandtakeyourvtecwithyou

The fact of the matter is that 500 horsepower routed through the Front wheels would be absolutely wasted on street tires; a set of mickey T slicks, one of those reverse sprung wheelie bars, a welded front diff and a set of large biceps to keep that torque steer under control and you could do alright, but thats not a street car thats a track car.

The only options I can see are 1.) massive turbo that doesn't generate substantial boost until high in the RPM range so your TQ and HP curves are dead until they spike at about 5krpms, or 2.) some sever boost management in gears 1,2, tapering off in 3 that essentially neuters the car until you are at a speed where you can arguably put 500hp down; way more severe than what is in the current MS3 in gears 1&2.

[SWP n Gold]

Originally Posted by rob1n1

9 seconds... In a straight line?...

Yes...

Originally Posted by Stretch18

M/T drag slicks?

Yes, among others...

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

The only options I can see are 1.) massive turbo that doesn't generate substantial boost until high in the RPM range so your TQ and HP curves are dead until they spike at about 5krpms, or 2.) some sever boost management in gears 1,2, tapering off in 3 that essentially neuters the car until you are at a speed where you can arguably put 500hp down; way more severe than what is in the current MS3 in gears 1&2.

That's why those Civics are streetable, because of the powerband being shifted to the right so you're not spinning all over the place. And limiting boost by gear is another popular way to control spin in FWD vehicles. A guy in town has a VR6 turbo Golf and he's boost limited in the lower gears to minimize wheelspin. Not sure what's so confusing?

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

gettheheckouttahereandtakeyourvtecwithyou

Control yourself bro. Like your econo-wagon is sooo superior.

[dave07]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

hmm 252hp overwhelms the front tires... maybe MOAR HOARSPOWERS will fix tht problem!!!!!!!
Seriously though, does anybody really care about "high performance" FWD cars? meh I'll pass; make it RWD or AWD or GTFO

Glad we see eye to eye.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

That's why those Civics are streetable, because of the powerband being shifted to the right so you're not spinning all over the place. And limiting boost by gear is another popular way to control spin in FWD vehicles. A guy in town has a VR6 turbo Golf and he's boost limited in the lower gears to minimize wheelspin. Not sure what's so confusing?

Control yourself bro. Like your econo-wagon is sooo superior.

I highly doubt the VR6 golf in your town is a 9 second car, I also doubt it hass 500 hp at the flywheel.



the "gettheheckouttahereandtakeyourvtecwithyou" statement was a joke, I thought that was obvious, but this is the internet.

I did not say my alleged "eco-wagon" was superior to either the 500hp focus or the 9 second streetable honda civic that has yet to materialize, although I am willing to bet I have a much higher factory tow rating than both of them, so in some way, yes I do believe my wagon is superior to both.

Although I don't believe I have an eco-wagon, I consider an eco-wagon to be good on fuel, where as my wagon is not. Although it is built on an economy car chassis it stopped being an economy car the moment the word "turbo" was thrown in the mix.

And wagons rule.

wanna hug it out bro?

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

I highly doubt the VR6 golf in your town is a 9 second car, I also doubt it hass 500 hp at the flywheel.



the "gettheheckouttahereandtakeyourvtecwithyou" statement was a joke, I thought that was obvious, but this is the internet.

I did not say my alleged "eco-wagon" was superior to either the 500hp focus or the 9 second streetable honda civic that has yet to materialize, although I am willing to bet I have a much higher factory tow rating than both of them, so in some way, yes I do believe my wagon is superior to both.

Although I don't believe I have an eco-wagon, I consider an eco-wagon to be good on fuel, where as my wagon is not. Although it is built on an economy car chassis it stopped being an economy car the moment the word "turbo" was thrown in the mix.

And wagons rule.

wanna hug it out bro?

Hey, I'm with you, wagons do rule ! I love mine on the road and it works well enough for track days too.
And, I also agree, a 500HP FWD hatch might be a bit ridiculous.
But, a 250-HP Focus ST, with a mechanical LSD and a RevoKnuckle front setup (basically, a less powerful Focus RS with a turbo I4 instead of a turbo I5) would be a great performer on the road and at the track.

[SWP n Gold]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

I highly doubt the VR6 golf in your town is a 9 second car, I also doubt it hass 500 hp at the flywheel.

the "gettheheckouttahereandtakeyourvtecwithyou" statement was a joke, I thought that was obvious, but this is the internet.

I did not say my alleged "eco-wagon" was superior to either the 500hp focus or the 9 second streetable honda civic that has yet to materialize, although I am willing to bet I have a much higher factory tow rating than both of them, so in some way, yes I do believe my wagon is superior to both.

Although I don't believe I have an eco-wagon, I consider an eco-wagon to be good on fuel, where as my wagon is not. Although it is built on an economy car chassis it stopped being an economy car the moment the word "turbo" was thrown in the mix.

And wagons rule.

wanna hug it out bro?

Actually, the VR6-T Golf is at about 350whp and is down until this Spring when it comes out with a 450whp setup. Congrats on your tow rating, I thought we were talking about high horsepower FWD cars? And yes, it is an economy wagon. It's an Impreza with a slightly hopped-up motor; econo-wagon.

:hug:

[manticus]

A 500hp FWD street car is a waste of metal.

But in an equivalent rally car...

Tribute video to one of the greatest FWD rally car by ONLY RALLY VIDEOS - Car Videos on StreetFire

Tribute video to one of the greatest FWD rally car by ONLY RALLY VIDEOS - Car Videos on StreetFire

[SilverSubaab]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Hey, I'm with you, wagons do rule ! I love mine on the road and it works well enough for track days too.
And, I also agree, a 500HP FWD hatch might be a bit ridiculous.
But, a 250-HP Focus ST, with a mechanical LSD and a RevoKnuckle front setup (basically, a less powerful Focus RS with a turbo I4 instead of a turbo I5) would be a great performer on the road and at the track.

Wow, an actual calm, intelligent post in this thread.....

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

Actually, the VR6-T Golf is at about 350whp and is down until this Spring when it comes out with a 450whp setup. Congrats on your tow rating, I thought we were talking about high horsepower FWD cars? And yes, it is an economy wagon. It's an Impreza with a slightly hopped-up motor; econo-wagon.

:hug:

Thanks for the hug.

I believe you were the one who brought my car into the conversation. So you're telling me that every car that has roots in an economy car platform is an economy car? I don't deny that the WRX/STi are based on an economy car platform, however, they stopped being economy cars when the fuel economy went down and the purchase price and maintenace costs went up. I suppose a Mustang is an economy car as well, after all it was just a falcon with a hopped-up motor; I suppose the GTO is an economy car because it was just a Tempest with a hopped up engine; your logic just doesn't pan out. I would also not consider the golf you mentioned, or the focus of topic economy cars, and certainly not a 9 second civic; they were originally economy cars, but stopped being so when they became uneconomical; just grab an MW and take a reader.

I stand by my previous statement - a 500hp FWD focus is a bad move, it would be horrible on the street and with the price they would charge for it I can't see anyone buying a torque-steering tire smoker over the other most likely cheaper options; I agree that a 250hp focus ST with a mechanical LSD and revo-knuckle setup would be a liveable street car; that was what was rumored before the ST's specs were brought to light, but both were cost prohibitive at the time hence the torque vectoring system Ford incorporated.

[Lrn2Corner]

Originally Posted by SWP n Gold

You guys do realize there are 9 second Civics out there right? With the right tires, you can grip with FWD and a ton of power.

You do realize it takes more than good tires to get a fwd car to put that kind of power down and run those 1/4 times right?

No its not streetable at that point. No head lights, no interior minus a seat, all safety gear gone other than a harness. Sorry the 9 sec civic is a trailer queen.

[T-37]

Originally Posted by mrardente

500 HP...FWD.
Looks good, probably will be way too expensive.
Maybe if they had an AWD version I would consider.

http://jalopnik.com/5982481/ford-tra...-a-stupid-name

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

I stand by my previous statement - a 500hp FWD focus is a bad move, it would be horrible on the street and with the price they would charge for it I can't see anyone buying a torque-steering tire smoker over the other most likely cheaper options; I agree that a 250hp focus ST with a mechanical LSD and revo-knuckle setup would be a liveable street car; that was what was rumored before the ST's specs were brought to light, but both were cost prohibitive at the time hence the torque vectoring system Ford incorporated.

Where on earth are you getting the idea that this is a concept for a production car of any sort?

http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/

It's one of 3 show cars being built as a joint venture between fifteen52, Ken Block, and Ford.

Originally Posted by Project ST Official Press Release

Fifteen52, Ford and Ken Block have teamed up to take today’s current hot hatch king – the Ford Focus ST – and make it even hotter. In a move unsurprising to anyone who knows anything about automotive marketing, Ford turned to motorsport personality, Ken Block, for assistance and he recommended bringing in fifteen52 to help develop the aftermarket personality for the new Focus ST.

Known for being on the cutting edge of small Euro car tuning since 1996, Los Angeles, CA based fifteen52 has partnered with Ken and the Monster World Rally Team before on multiple projects. Fifteen52 provided the wheels for Block’s H.F.H.V. in both Gymkhana FOUR and FIVE, as well as partnering with Block’s RC car sponsor, HPI, to have their well-known Tarmac wheel used on Block’s replica HFHV RC car. “The guys at fifteen52 really understand today’s aftermarket scene,” said Block. “If anyone can come up with ways to make the Focus ST and the ST brand itself cooler than they already are, it’d be them.”

The new Focus ST has received overwhelmingly positive reviews and fifteen52 and Ken Block look forward to the challenge of improving on what is already a killer performance and stylistic platform. Fifteen52 co-owner Matt Crooke offers, “Ford has given us three new Focus STs to mod as we see fit, and thanks to them we’re starting with a car that looks great and beats the Euro hot hatches at their own game – what’s not to like?” Fifteen52′s other partner, Brad Beardow, adds, “Taking great cars and making them even better is what fifteen52 is all about, and though in this case it’s going to be a bigger challenge, we’ve got some cool things up our sleeves.”

As mentioned, fifteen52 has received three Focus ST performance hatchbacks and in order to appeal to a wide array of enthusiasts, they plan to mod each one differently. One car will be Ken Block’s next daily driver, so an “OEM+” approach will be taken to modding that car, meaning that while performance and style upgrades are still very much on tap, reliability and dealer serviceability will not be compromised. The other two cars are headed in completely different directions, with one getting serious racing-inspired performance upgrades with the help of Ford Racing and the other is going after enthusiasts participating in today’s wildly popular stance scene.
Project ST is already underway and will continue through the rest of this year and well into 2013.

http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/356/

[UKscooby]

I have actually driven a 480hp fwd car with road legal slicks. It is manageable if setup correctly and it will put the power down from 3rd gear on. The best launches were.from 2nd gear with throttle control. It was daily drivable and very fun. The key point in driving these cars is how its driven. Mash the gas all the time and you'll turn $800 of tires into smoke, feather it and read the grip levels.and.you'll blow by 350hp awd cars.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by UKscooby

Mash the gas all the time and you'll turn $800 of tires into smoke, feather it and read the grip levels.and.you'll blow by 350hp awd cars.

Actaully that's not limited to FWD. 5.0 Mustangs will eat tires like no tomorrow if you mash the gas all the time. Super fun though and one of the things I miss now I'm back to AWD is the ability to act like I'm 18 again behind the wheel.