[Applejack]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115012988014/hotter-ford-fiesta-planned-could-be-an-rs-version

 

[captainmorbid]

AWD.... 250hp... 270feet... YES!


Sent via poles, wires and telegraph 2.

 

[BRGT350]

I see no chance of this happening, besides, AutoCar.uk has been reporting this same story since early 2014. HEck, it is same photoshopped car they keep using for the articles. I consider AutoCar.uk to be one of the least accurate auto sites on the planet.

 

[BlackBird]

There is almost zero market for a FiRS. Too expensive, too little margin, and too niche. Unless they were to do AWD (doubtful), upgrading a FiST is a better use of money.

 

[Applejack]

| Too many staff doubters! Have you ever...

 

[BlackBird]

If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets. I prefer driving and building things. Much more interested in the news that we may finally get the Civic Type R.

 

[Applejack]

finally[/I] get the Civic Type R.

Talk about wishing upon a star! Type R will never make it across the pond... de-tuned motor might.

 

[BRGT350]

I remember 2003 when rumors were all over the place that the Focus RS was coming to the RS, and then rumors in 2008ish when Ford was bringing the Focus MkII RS to the US. There was also rumors of the MkIII Focus RS being electric rear/turbo front drive. The Fiesta RS rumor has been broadcasted pretty much by AutoCar only. No pictures of Fiesta RS mules. No sources to back up their claims, which date back to the launch of the Fiesta ST. Unless there are spy pictures of hopped up Fiesta's running around with a lot of camo, huge brakes, and giant intercoolers, I don't buy into the Fiesta RS. The Focus RS was rumored and Ford had been planting seeds for years now. Taking the MkII RS to shows, giving Block a MkII RS, development mules all over the place, and a number of sources saying it was in the works.

 

[BlackBird]

Talk about wishing upon a star! Type R will never make it across the pond... de-tuned motor might.

Honda's been making more than just noises about the car coming here, including a mule that's been driving in the Ohio-to-NY corridor lately in full testing camo. A lot of media are coming to a consensus that to compete, Honda has to bring the CTR to America.

Also, that car exists. The Fiesta RS road car does not exist.

 

[Applejack]

Honda's been making more than just noises about the car coming here, including a mule that's been driving in the Ohio-to-NY corridor lately in full testing camo. A lot of media are coming to a consensus that to compete, Honda has to bring the CTR to America.

Also, that car exists. The Fiesta RS road car does not exist.

If I ever see anything close to the concept Civic Type R in North America, I will send you a crisp $1 bill. Manufacturers can test cars anywhere they want. That is why they go to Death Valley and the arctic circle with mules. Northeast winters also make a good testing ground.

Let the bet begin!

 

[BlackBird]

If I ever see anything close to the concept Civic Type R in North America, I will send you a crisp $1 bill. Manufacturers can test cars anywhere they want. That is why they go to Death Valley and the arctic circle with mules. Northeast winters also make a good testing ground.

Let the bet begin!

View attachment 1805

That's okay, you can keep the $1 for your Fiesta RS fund.

 

[Applejack]

That's okay, you can keep the $1 for your Fiesta RS fund.

Where did I ever say I was going to buy one? I am not Obummer.

 

[captainmorbid]

I'll buy one. With 3 doors...

Powered by the tears of naysayers, and unicorn farts.

If an automotive blog says It'll happen over and over for years at a time, doesn't that increase their odds of being right? I'll just quietly save up my pennies, until I can afford to buy one direct from m-sport.

 

[timboslice]

I'll buy one. With 3 doors...

Powered by the tears of naysayers, and unicorn farts.

If an automotive blog says It'll happen over and over for years at a time, doesn't that increase their odds of being right? I'll just quietly save up my pennies, until I can afford to buy one direct from m-sport.

No, that just discredits that car blog

 

[captainmorbid]

No, that just discredits that car blog

Unless they fluke out. Which will lead to.... Slightly less wrong.


Sent via poles, wires and telegraph 2.

 

[Sil3nt611]

With how many here don't want to spend $25k on an optioned Fiesta ST...I don't see the market for a more expensive one. The Fiesta ST crowd is already really small.

 

[timboslice]

With how many here don't want to spend $25k on an optioned Fiesta ST...I don't see the market for a more expensive one. The Fiesta ST crowd is already really small.

Exactly. To most consumers, the FiST is already overpriced.. Even some enthusiast balked at the idea of a set of $2000 Recaros. A Fiesta RS would probably share the same price point as a nicely optioned FoST. Outside of a niche enthusiast crowd, how many people could justify that value proposition?

The Focus RS makes sense as it competes at a higher price point (Golf R, WRX?) and won't cannibalize an existing model's sales. Even then, it's still a bold move and it won't be a blockbuster seller. I don't expect Ford to launch 2 of these halo cars in very similar segments.

Side note.. There's already a circle jerk over this rumour on another forum.

 

[timboslice]

Talk about wishing upon a star! Type R will never make it across the pond... de-tuned motor might.

Does this count as making it across?

http://jalopnik.com/the-new-honda-civic-type-r-is-running-around-ohio-1680861842

 

[BRGT350]

Exactly. To most consumers, the FiST is already overpriced.. Even some enthusiast balked at the idea of a set of $2000 Recaros. A Fiesta RS would probably share the same price point as a nicely optioned FoST. Outside of a niche enthusiast crowd, how many people could justify that value proposition?

The Focus RS makes sense as it competes at a higher price point (Golf R, WRX?) and won't cannibalize an existing model's sales. Even then, it's still a bold move and it won't be a blockbuster seller. I don't expect Ford to launch 2 of these halo cars in very similar segments.

Side note.. There's already a circle jerk over this rumour on another forum.

Yep, all correct points. There just isn't a strong enough buisness case to justify the Fiesta ST, Fiesta RS, Focus ST, and Focus RS. There is too much price and performance overlap between the Fiesta RS proposal and the Focus ST. Working with the Fiesta Movement for the launch of the 2011 Fiesta and 2014 Fiesta ST, I can say that the vast majority of US consumers buy the largest car for their money. A lot of Fiesta buyers opted away from a fully loaded Fiesta for a base model Focus or even a stripped Fusion. I have talked to a lot of Fiesta ST prospects that went with a Focus ST1 because "it is bigger". Who would really pay Focus ST3 prices for a Fiesta? Also, when you get into pricey compacts, it gets really hard for the US consumer to spend "that much money on a domestic". I heard that comment a lot. Spend that kind of money on an import, no problem, but hard to get them to buy something domestic at that price. Oddly, the Fiesta really isn't a domestic at all. Designed in Germany and built in Mexico.

If, and this is a huge if, a Fiesta RS buisness case could be made, this is how I see it for the US market;
5 door hatchback
1.6L with upgraded turbo, intercooler, and tuning to produce 225-250hp
FWD
ST 6-speed
300mm front brakes robbed from the old SVT Focus parts bin (remember that the Fiesta ST brakes are robbed from current and old products)
Different bumper covers and rear spoiler
Price point $28,000-$30,000 (this puts it just over Fiesta ST2 and smack into Focus ST territory)

 

[captainmorbid]

Yep, all correct points. There just isn't a strong enough buisness case to justify the Fiesta ST, Fiesta RS, Focus ST, and Focus RS. There is too much price and performance overlap between the Fiesta RS proposal and the Focus ST. Working with the Fiesta Movement for the launch of the 2011 Fiesta and 2014 Fiesta ST, I can say that the vast majority of US consumers buy the largest car for their money. A lot of Fiesta buyers opted away from a fully loaded Fiesta for a base model Focus or even a stripped Fusion. I have talked to a lot of Fiesta ST prospects that went with a Focus ST1 because "it is bigger". Who would really pay Focus ST3 prices for a Fiesta? Also, when you get into pricey compacts, it gets really hard for the US consumer to spend "that much money on a domestic". I heard that comment a lot. Spend that kind of money on an import, no problem, but hard to get them to buy something domestic at that price. Oddly, the Fiesta really isn't a domestic at all. Designed in Germany and built in Mexico.

If, and this is a huge if, a Fiesta RS buisness case could be made, this is how I see it for the US market;
5 door hatchback
1.6L with upgraded turbo, intercooler, and tuning to produce 225-250hp
FWD
ST 6-speed
300mm front brakes robbed from the old SVT Focus parts bin (remember that the Fiesta ST brakes are robbed from current and old products)
Different bumper covers and rear spoiler
Price point $28,000-$30,000 (this puts it just over Fiesta ST2 and smack into Focus ST territory)

While you are absolutely correct on the business case in North America, I could see the potential for a Fiesta RS in EU markets. As for the stats you've predicted for the car itself, those numbers aren't very RS like.


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