Ford focus st driving event

[jaehok]

Any one hitting up this event on sat at gillette stadium?
Im assuming their setting up an auto cross track like the Mazda zoom zoom demos.

http://www.drivefocusst.com/

[xrocket21]

I did this with the FR-S a few weeks ago and it was fun

only 2 ~ 60 seconds runs on a small auto-x course, but a new car, free to drive? Im there!!!!

I just signed up for 1:00 lol

Heres the video from the last event

[jaehok]

For sure I had a blast at the Mazda one. They eventually kicked me out because I kept turning off traction control on the miata and rx8 and spinning off the track. I also signed up for the 1 pm slot.

[dankatz]

I also just signed up for a 1pm slot...

[KawiSmurf]

Signed up for a 2pm slot, I've been curious how this compares to the MS3. Sounds like a good time.

[Lars]

I've got a 11am time (signed up a few weeks ago).

[xrocket21]

Well, that was pretty fun. I like the car, a lot.

Heres the video:

I got a 30.0 and a 30.1

Really wanted a 29.x but it didnt happen lol

[golden chicken]

How's the steering ratio on these? Pretty quick? I sometimes bemoan my slow steering Saturn.

[SRTie4k]

Sounds pretty loud inside when you get on it. Does it understeer like a typical turbo FWD car?

[KawiSmurf]

Sounds pretty loud inside when you get on it. Does it understeer like a typical turbo FWD car?

It utilizes one of those new systems that pipes extra engine noise into the cabin. The PR guys explained it was real as opposed to BMW's fake sound system.

As far as the understeering, I noticed a small amount, and only at the tightest corners. Throttle lift-off quickly corrected it. When it was driven incorrectly, hard and fast into corners, the tires would scream loudly as it plowed through. But overall, it tracked fairly well. I also didn't notice a big turbo bump between the lag and the power...really linear. Made it easier to modulate the throttle input.

Fun event. Wish I knew when the mfgs had these more often. On a side note, I don't think I've ever seen so many Speed3s in one place...counted 11 in the lot at one point.

[xrocket21]

How's the steering ratio on these? Pretty quick? I sometimes bemoan my slow steering Saturn.

Steering ratio seemed quick enough, nothing spectacular, definitely sporty though.

[xrocket21]

Sounds pretty loud inside when you get on it. Does it understeer like a typical turbo FWD car?

One thing I would say about this car is that it DOES NOT "feel" like a fwd car. I went in with intentions of comparing it to my wifes old mazdaspeed3 (she has a 12 wrx limited now, because the ms3 definitely made you aware it was fwd), but it was nothing like the speed3. Lots of low end torque, but no wheelspin with the driving nannies on. I really enjoyed how well it rotated. A little trail braking easily led to light oversteer. There was little to no understeer to be found! The car rotated so well, it was a joy on the course. Another thing was the brakes. The brakes on it were very aggressive. Not much modulation unfortunately, kinda stabby really. Maybe needs getting used to, but I would say they were plenty strong. Nice interior too.

- - - Updated - - -

It utilizes one of those new systems that pipes extra engine noise into the cabin. The PR guys explained it was real as opposed to BMW's fake sound system.

As far as the understeering, I noticed a small amount, and only at the tightest corners. Throttle lift-off quickly corrected it. When it was driven incorrectly, hard and fast into corners, the tires would scream loudly as it plowed through. But overall, it tracked fairly well. I also didn't notice a big turbo bump between the lag and the power...really linear. Made it easier to modulate the throttle input.

Fun event. Wish I knew when the mfgs had these more often. On a side note, I don't think I've ever seen so many Speed3s in one place...counted 11 in the lot at one point.

howd you do for times?

[SRTie4k]

I'm pretty interested to see what Cobb has in store, and what kind of numbers they can extract from it. They've supposedly had access to the platform since the last SEMA.

I'm not crazy about the body, though. It's a bit polarizing.

Other questions - did you guys get to drive auto and manuals? How did they perform? Also how did you like the Recaro seats?

[KawiSmurf]

howd you do for times?

Not bad, 33.2, 30.3. Felt like I was pushing so hard on the last one, too, but still in the 30s.

Other questions - did you guys get to drive auto and manuals? How did they perform? Also how did you like the Recaro seats?

ST is manual only, but they had a regular Focus w/slushbox for those unfamiliar with a clutch. We were told to keep it in 2nd for the whole run, so the only shifting was right off the line. Box felt stiff, though, not sloppy. Seats were interesting, because they're definitely European sized, not XL American sized. I like them because the bolsters were really big, but I could tell a few of the large guys were a bit uncomfortable.

[SRTie4k]

ST is manual only, but they had a regular Focus w/slushbox for those unfamiliar with a clutch. We were told to keep it in 2nd for the whole run, so the only shifting was right off the line. Box felt stiff, though, not sloppy. Seats were interesting, because they're definitely European sized, not XL American sized. I like them because the bolsters were really big, but I could tell a few of the large guys were a bit uncomfortable.

I had read that the ST will also be coming with a 6 or 7 speed dual clutch setup, possibly in 2014 though. Maybe they scrapped it?

[KawiSmurf]

I had read that the ST will also be coming with a 6 or 7 speed dual clutch setup, possibly in 2014 though. Maybe they scrapped it?

You know, I thought I heard something similar recently, but I guess I just assumed it was a no-go after seeing all the ones on hand were manual. But you might be right about next year, and they just didn't have any production ones ready in time for the tour.

[xrocket21]

I gotta say I liked the seats a lot. Comfy and very adjustable. I got to drive both the st2 and st3 trim level cars. St3 is nice but a $30k focus is silly.

[Lars]

I gotta say I liked the seats a lot. Comfy and very adjustable. I got to drive both the st2 and st3 trim level cars. St3 is nice but a $30k focus is silly.

Completely agree. Recaro's were quite nice.

$30k all in for an ST3 ... not to mention that you would also have to dump another grand in new tires if you were to daily drive it through New England winters (OEM tires are Goodyear Eagle F1's).

[nhbubba]

Another grand? For snows? Will they fit 17's? I bet you could get some steelies and get it done for a little over half that.

It's winter. The car is gonna look like ass 98% of the season anyway.

[golden chicken]

$30k is a little ridiculous for an Impreza or a Lancer, no?

[Lars]

Another grand? For snows? Will they fit 17's? I bet you could get some steelies and get it done for a little over half that.

It's winter. The car is gonna look like ass 98% of the season anyway.

Not sure if it would fit steel wheels. I don't see any options for them on Tirerack right now. We probably won't have a good idea of what fits until the car is actually released in September/October.

[SRTie4k]

Most good snows run at minimum $700 for a pair of 17's. Once you start getting bigger than 16", they get very expensive. I seem to recall my 18" snows cost me $800 (and I hate them).

[nhbubba]

Minimum huh?

General Altimax Arctic 225/45R17 - $125/ea => $500

< $100 ea for my 16" steelies. But I bet this ST won't take 16's.

[SRTie4k]

Notice how I said "most". I was also including the price of mounting/balancing.

[xrocket21]

Minimum huh?

General Altimax Arctic 225/45R17 - $125/ea => $500

< $100 ea for my 16" steelies. But I bet this ST won't take 16's.

I bet 16s would fit fine, it didnt have particularly big brakes on it, though they worked very well