Not sure if agree with that 2007 savior analogy. Wonder what the author of that quote would think now..?
Of course I read the whole article and not just one of three reviewer's comments. They are dead on about the R53 JCW being the better car for hard core enthusiast and I'm sure it would have came out on top if they stopped the test at the track. Depending on which flavor of kool aid you drink, you could pull comments out of that article to justify your preference. So the R53 was too raw for all around use and the F56 is too watered down, does that mean the R56 was just right?
That's the way I read it when I was first shopping. But I'm glad I went with the R53 instead. It's just more fun and compared to my WRX it's more refined.
BMW is watering down everything to appeal to the mass market. The problem is they didn't read history. Almost every time a well done nitch player has tried to go main stream they lost what got them there to start with, along with those people.
BMW has moved from a performance status symbol to a fashion statement..... MINI is following in the same steps....
BMW did that a while ago. They dumb-ed down their cars to appeal to the masses. The 3 series is more like a fancy German Camry now. I see the same happening with their MINI brand. So hang on to the cars you like folks, or shop elsewhere. I would have moved to a new MINI as my next car, but well that isn't going to happen now.
It was more than one one of three reviewers that had that sentiment, but that's besides the point--the point it is that the reviewers saw a legitimate reason why many would prefer the R53 over the earlier GTI's and Civic Si. Now they don't. I fear MINI may go the way of the Beetle--they're banking on "cute" now, instead of performance, and that works for awhile, but it puts the MINI dangerously close to a "fad" car, and fad cars eventually struggle--look at the Beetle now. Porsche did it right with the 911, although it's a great looking car, they always stressed performance, and it remains iconic. They're able to go generation to generation seamlessly; I fear MINI is stumbling. Maybe they'll fix it next generation, maybe they won't--if they don't, the long-term outlook for the MINI brand is not good IMHO.
If they were to follow the Porsche example they would keep Cooper the nitch car like the 911. Then have the other models go after the sales to support it. Porsche makes its money on the Panamera and SUV.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnRB0KQrpPI"]Hot Focus RS ready for Goodwood Festival of Speed - YouTube[/ame]
It's up on Ford's web page.... 345 HP ......allegedly... Nicely equipped at $35,730 2016 Ford Focus RS | The 2016 Ford Focus RS | Ford.com
0-60 in 4.7 seconds. Top speed 165 mph. Man, a bares bones one of these looks like a damned nice deal. They've done well. I'd be hard pressed at that price to even look at the F56 JCW.
Up to 350hp, 350lb-ft now... :eek6: U.S.-Market 2016 Ford Focus RS Packs 350 HP, 350 LB-FT (automobilemag.com)
Friend of mine got his only dealer's allocated RS at MSRP, deposit is down, only option upgraded wheels. He's bought two cars from them before.
me too only pay MSRP, some California dealer charge over 10k MSRP and look at this dealer on ebay Ford Focus RS allocated to Matthews Ford in Broken Arrow here what I ordered and pay :beer Base Price 35,730 RS2 2,785 Forged Wheel 1,395 Nitrous Blue 695 Car cover 375 Delivery 875 $41855
Love the blue, that's my favorite... Scott, that's why Ford didn't bring the first RS over--they figured people in the U.S. wouldn't pay that kind of money for a Focus. When it's all said and done, I'm guessing this car will be a bargain considering what Ford put into it, and what it's capable of. They're doing this for image, not for profit, and I'm guessing this car is going to be a huge bang for the buck.