Some people care about it, especially because manufacturers do their best to massage the figures and because some people may try to justify the Focus RS as a family runaround. But yeah you make a fair point, the car isn't designed to be cheap to run. Which is good because it isn't.
We usually try to add in the exhaust note into all our reviews, but for some reason the recording messed up this time. Expect us to make up for it big time with the next review.
Why do so many reviewers of the Focus RS not know that the suspension can be set independent of the drive mode. You switch to track mode, press the end of the turn signal arm and voila, track mode performance without the harsh ride.
I actually addressed this below: "As for driving modes, the only gain in using Track versus Sport is if you want ESC in its sportiest setting as the suspension remains normal for the latter, making it more forgiving."
That's not the whole story. True, the ESC is in a sportier setting in track mode compared to Sport, but there are other things such as the AWD system that also change in Track mode. But, my comment was aimed at the suspension setting being independent of the drive mode selected. When you say "the suspension remains normal for the latter, making it more forgiving" that's simply what happens by default, but in ANY drive mode you can still toggle the suspension setting without affecting anything else. Every time I start my car I select Track mode and then set the suspension back to normal. I also hold the ESC button down for 5seconds to disable it entirely. I've seen so many reviews that skip over this and make it sound like if you want to drive the car in track mode, you're forced to use the firm dampers, which simply isn't true.
As far as I am aware, the AWD is the same in both Track and Sport. But yeah you are right, you can adjust the dampers but unless AWD does change it still seems pointless to use unless you really care about ESC.
If you google "Focus RS drive modes" there are a bunch of images showing the differences between the modes, and AWD is different according that that chart. Also, in the manual it says the following... "Sport: Electronic stability control and traction control systems fully enabled" and "Track: The system reduces brake system intervention from the stability control system and optimizes the road-holding ability of your vehicle. Electronic stability control is set to reduced mode while the traction control system is disabled apart from the electronic limited slip differential function. Engine interventions from the stability control and traction control systems are also disabled." while you might find it pointless, I personally care about the car cutting my power because it thinks I'm out of control, especially when I'm purposely putting the car in those situations. I also don't want ANY brake system intervention, if I want the brakes applied, I'll apply them myself, those brembo pads aren't cheap.
There is an image from the Ben Collins Focus RS article that contradicts those graphs and I seem to remember the original Ford presentation was the same way back when I drove the car at Silverstone. Right or wrong, I get your point about adjusting the dampers though. And yes unwanted brake intervention is an issue but then on a public road I doubt I would ever push that hard in a car this quick. I quite like my limbs.
Can actually get 36mpg if you drive it sensibly, so it is cheap to run, the service costs are low compared to bmw and audi etc. It's such a brilliant drivers car, 9 out of 10 people who review it, absolutely love it
Not a bad video all in all. I agree re main centre console plastics but in contrast the Golf R isn't exactly light years ahead either so it's a minor point like you say.You also complained about track mode yet didn't you find the button to switch suspension modes for track on the indicator stalk?At least the RS does this unlike the CTR which doesn't allow you to separate the map and the suspension which makes it far less enjoyable on the road which was why I ended up not buying one (despite the styling!)
The Golf R isn't perfect either but it feels nicer and the seating position is better. You are weirdly high up in the RS, which is a point a lot of motoring journalists have overlooked for some reason. As for driving modes, the only gain in using Track versus Sport is if you want ESC in its sportiest setting as the suspension remains normal for the latter, making it more forgiving.
