Worse time to have that happen, right at a big Ford-Focused event like this and on camera with all eyes watching.
At least it acts as a heads up to owners.
At least it acts as a heads up to owners.
an earlu snafu with a handbuilt pre production model does not act as a heads up to owners. If this scares someone away they were never really that interested in the first place...Worse time to have that happen, right at a big Ford-Focused event like this and on camera with all eyes watching.
At least it acts as a heads up to owners.
an earlu snafu with a handbuilt pre production model does not act as a heads up to owners. If this scares someone away they were never really that interested in the first place...
x2. That said, this topic does bring up the discussion of the Focus RS clutch setup -- does anyone know if it's going to have a heavy clutch with lots of feel, or something lighter?
I drove a base manual Focus the other day, and was truly disappointed by the clutch feel. Super light, with no progression when the clutch grabbed. Easy to stall because you can't feel when the clutch is about to engage. My current Audi's clutch has much more feel -- it's an excellent manual transmission. If the Focus RS gearbox feels anything like that base Focus, then I'm out.
Well it raises some concern and questions, probably to be addressed before production (hopefully) but being someone with money ready to buy one, you have to see it from that.I don't think that a stall at one event is very representative of anything. If there is an issue they will fix it for the production model, and cars do stall sometimes so I think this was just poor timing. I'm not worried. I just think its funny.
Quite true. Ford would double check to make sure everything is good before sending a promo car to an event like this.True.
Could very well be driver error and not anything specific with the car itself. Plus i'd imagine that Ford would go through a process to ensure what they take to a show that's driveable is going to be presentable, without flaws.
Good points.If this was a DCT car, yes absolutely WTFFFF. Its not, it has a clutch with a release point, it jumped when he was letting it out and it stalled. oh well. Those of you who row yourselves know it happens from time to time to even the most experienced.
Now that said on the matter of clutches... You won't gain a thing from the base Focus because it has super light clutch plates because they're gutless, torqueless little things. The Mustang GT has always had a rougher, heavier clutch because of its higher torque, I found the clutch in the Ecoboost Mustang to be quite regular if you will, which I take as a good sign being mated to the same 2.3. Granted the gearbox will be different for the transverse layout of the RS but I think you follow my reasoning?
There are things they can play with to give it a lighter feel, like longer spring fingers, but I'm not sure what tradeoffs that creates (if any)???
The abruptness was likely because you didn't know where it was, making its appearance abrupt. I much prefer a sharp and well defined point then a vague and soft one...Good points.
My take on the Ecoboost Mustang clutch was that it was just OK. Very abrupt engagement though. I'm OK, but not thrilled, if the Focus RS feels like the Mustang EcoBoost.
What Ford really needs to do is tear apart a Honda S2000 and put that shifter in the Focus RS...one can dream 0![]()
The abruptness was likely because you didn't know where it was, making its appearance abrupt. I much prefer a sharp and well defined point then a vague and soft one...
indeed, thats what makes finding it all the more delicious >I'd say that's fair, I only drove it for a few minutes. And I've learned there's always a learning curve to just about any manual car. I'm sure I'll adjust to the Focus RS feel in short order.
In defense of our speculation, as future and potential buyers, it's better to be concerned and asking these questions than not.Quite true. Ford would double check to make sure everything is good before sending a promo car to an event like this.
I imagine that it was just the driver making a mistake. Of course the internet provides plenty of speculation. This is what happens when people everywhere have cameras in their phones. Little incidents can turn into these huge conversations.
Absolutely! Definitely part of the fun of driving a new manual car!indeed, thats what makes finding it all the more delicious >![]()