[Focus RS News]

Autocar recently went to test the Focus RS’s mettle against “proper” sports cars at Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps track. Lo and behold, a Porsche Cayman GT4 passes them by and the chase begins!

Behind the wheel is Autocar senior staff writer Sam Sheehan and we can take a ride with him in the video below. Equipped with a set of optional Michelin Pilot Super Sports, the 350 hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is put to the test. Even with an impressive top speed of 165mph and 350 lb-ft of torque, the four wheels drive RS just couldn’t keep up.

But then again, it’s hard to compare the performance of a $35,900 hot hatch to a $85,595 Cayman GT4. The GT4 is packing plenty of heat with its 385-hp 3.8-liter flat-six engine and six-speed manual gearbox. 309 lb-ft of torque is sent to its rear wheels for a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, enough to help the GT4 pull ahead.

Overall, the Focus RS faired quite well and the Porsche Cayman GT4 was in its sight for most of the chase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxOjaYaxPWU

 

[S.Elliot]

Still awesome outcome when you consider the segments both sit in and who they target. Someone willing to spend on aftermarket performance will be able to easily keep up with the GT4, making it quite competitive in time attack races. So, I guess you can say I see this as a "baseline" test of its performance.

 

[GT4RS]

Rs v gt4

What one can do with one car, can be done with both. For example, I own both cars: Ford Rs and GT4. My GT4 has GMG headers, exhaust,IPD plenum, GT3 throttle body, Cobb sport Access stage 2 tune, BMC race filters. The RS will get miltek downpipe and full cat back and cobb sport access. No comparison, stop claiming the RS is almost as good or almost as fast - the RS is not as good nor is fast. Fast means how can you do on a track. On a technical track with Cup 2, the GT4 pulled 1.7G on a right hand turn in my hands. RS it is impossible to pull 1.7G without hitting something. The GT4 GMG is faster than the previous gen 911 Turbo; last year's 911 GTS and a host of other cars that had no mods like I did to the GT4.

The real good news on the RS is it is a fantastic car in own class : STi, the Evo, the Golf R, the TT, etc.. The RS is a whip smart fun ride with the most amazing awd ever slapped on a hot hatch. The RS, wait for it, is my winter GT4!!!! Now that is a compliment. But please let's stop pretending it compares to a Porsche. RS does not have to compare to a Porsche.