[Focus RS News]

But only if you’re in North America. Ford is now offering a winter tire and wheel option for Focus RS customers and it includes a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires with 18-inch silver-painted wheels. The winter kit will also come with tire pressure monitoring sensors and center caps. The dealership/factory will have your tires mounted and balanced, ready for some snow shredding.

According to the Ford press release, this package was developed for demanding customers who wants optimal performance in winter conditions. They could have slapped on any set of tires since there isn’t a standard for winter-only performance testing but Ford came up with their own test. To overcome any reservations regarding the validity of their tests, those wheels were tested in extreme winter conditions found in Northern Michigan and Sweden. Several high-performance setups were tested in the bitter cold and snow in order to find the perfect set and the winner was the 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 paired with a 18x7.5-inch wheel.

North Americans can get this optional package for $1,995, all you’ll need to do is check off the RS Winter Tire and Wheel Package box under Exterior Packages. As for those of you in Canada, the package comes standard.

 

[Cosmonaut]

I found this video to go with the post you've made here about winter tires and the Focus RS. It's pretty obvious that Focus RX can handle it's own in the snow, and anywhere else as well. How many of you are getting the Winter Wheel & Tire Package? It's a must have for us Canadians.

 

[NJboneless]

I live in North Dakota, and these were a no brainer. $2k for nice rims and 4 $250 tires is a fair price too.

 

[Red Leader]

Shame they are not an option in the UK, would save a lot of time just swapping tyres over.

 

[ExtremeFocus]

Those tires are just digging right into the snow. Dealerships usually have winter tires that they'll try to sell you but this is the first time I've heard of a manufacturer coming out with factory winter tires like this.

Shame they are not an option in the UK, would save a lot of time just swapping tyres over.

Maybe you can ask your dealer if they can ship you a set?

 

[centurion]

Would anyone here more knowledgeable in winter tire setups go for a setup different from what Ford offers?

I bet if Ford came out with an RS sedan, we would also see it with a winter package, only makes sense, especially on a sedan.

 

[Red Leader]

I will ask when I test drive the RS in about ten days. I let you know the answer.

 

[NJboneless]

I will ask when I test drive the RS in about ten days. I let you know the answer.

Where on earth are you getting a test drive?

 

[Shelby-Jim]

I found a better deal at Tire Rack with Ford Racing silver painted wheels and Bridgestone Ultra All Season tires for $1,500.

 

[NJboneless]

I found a better deal at Tire Rack with Ford Racing silver painted wheels and Bridgestone Ultra All Season tires for $1,500.

That is a good deal, one thing to note though is tire rack only offer the rims in 19", whereas a smaller rim/tire is better for winter use. Since 18" is apparently the smallest rim diameter that will fit over the brake calipers, the 18" factory winter wheels (225/40) are probably going to perform better, at a higher cost.

On a side note I really dig those Ford white 19" rims on tire rack for the RS, I think they would go with the nitrous blue really well.

 

[Red Leader]

Where on earth are you getting a test drive?

In the UK, the Ford Dealers are beginning to get demonstration RS cars this month. The dealer and I have been talking about this car for over three years, so I think I will be one of the first people to give it a run. Then I will be able to get an order in. I will post an update as soon as I driven it. I am hopeful it will be the same sort of drive as my 4x4 Cosworth.

 

[ju2tin]

Anybody know if you can order the winter wheels afterwards, if you've ordered the car itself without them?

 

[Cosmonaut]

Not sure, but it seems like a stupid policy to not be able to do that. You must be able to buy the winter tires separately, its just tires.

 

[FNH]

I found a better deal at Tire Rack with Ford Racing silver painted wheels and Bridgestone Ultra All Season tires for $1,500.

Look for winter tires vs. all season tires. All season tires strike a balance between summer and winter performance. Because of this, they have to compromise and are not "great" at either.


If you get two sets of wheels and put summer tires on one set and winter tires on the other, you can just swap them out as needed. This way you get maximum performance no matter what season.


I have seen AWD Subarus abandoned on the side of the road because their all season tires couldn't deal with the ice. Meanwhile a rear wheel drive BMW M3 with winter tires just climbs right up the same icy hills.


The big difference between all season and winter tires will be noticed when stopping. It's terrifying to slide up to a stop sign because the all seasons cant grip the ice. Winter tires are able to grab the ice and stop you way better.


Even if the winter tires are $100 more per tire, isn't $400 worth knowing that you have good traction? Winter tires usually last me about 4 years so we're talking $100 per year - cheap insurance IMO

 

[ExtremeFocus]

The tires come with tire pressure monitoring sensors, think it's something they can install post delivery if you decide to get a set?

 

[centurion]

Not sure, but it seems like a stupid policy to not be able to do that. You must be able to buy the winter tires separately, its just tires.

That's what I was thinking, there should be no reason why you shouldn't be able to. They can surely do it when someone needs a replacement, they can do it for a first time owner.

Even more so being a big ticket item.

 

[ExtremeFocus]

I'm pretty sure you can get a set without the sensors. Just realized that the tire pressure monitoring sensors aren't necessary.

 

[centurion]

Probably best to do away with them anyways. The typical owner of a vehicle like this is the type to know more than the average car owner or at the least have the willingness to know more. Doing simple things like checking tire pressures every fill up (or what ever frequency they choose) is quite easy to absorb.

 

[I'mBlue]

I took a look at the Ford site and there's no mention of the sensors in the winter tire package, just the tires and wheels only.
Also noticed that they will be delivered as a separate set of wheels and tires in addition to the standard summer tires. So I guess Canadians will get two sets as standard now?