[video=youtube;YxOjaYaxPWU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxOjaYaxPWU[/video]
With the 2016 Ford Focus RS being The hot hatch of the moment, it's not difficult to understand that, if you find yourself flying down Spa-Francorchamps in one of these and Porsche Cayman GT4 passes, you'll want to chase.
This is exactly what happened to Autocar's Sam Sheehan, who recently visited the Belgian track for a proper test of the manic Focus.
Sure, it's not easy to draw the line between a successful and a failed attempt to chase another vehicle on the track, but we'll vote for the first version here.
We're not sure about the tires on the Focus RS, though - when asked about the rubber on YouTube, the British publication said the Blue Oval machine used the "optional Michelin Pilot Super Sport," but those are the standard tires, while the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 are the optional units.
Regardless, the sheer idea of comparing a $35,900 hot hatch with a $85,595 mid-engine Porsche seems surreal. We'll remind you the Focus RS is animated by a 2.3-liter turbo four delivering 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of twist, while the 911-borrowed naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six in the middle of the Cayman GT4 produces 385 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque.
And while we only see Sheehan pulling awesome tricks with the stick, we all know the driver of the Porsche with the 911 GT3 suspension was doing the same thing.
The aftermarket side of the industry will undoubtedly build on the Mk III Focus RS platform, so sportscar drivers who enjoy track stints should be worried about this.
This is a pursuit that reminds us of Ring Wolves - this is a term we've come up with to describe the kind of hot hatch drivers who know the Nordschleife like the back of their hand and love to stay in the rear-view mirrors of 911 GT3 RS or Ferrari 458 Speciale toys whose drivers can't push their cars to the limit. And yes, these guys usually like to form packs.
With the 2016 Ford Focus RS being The hot hatch of the moment, it's not difficult to understand that, if you find yourself flying down Spa-Francorchamps in one of these and Porsche Cayman GT4 passes, you'll want to chase.
This is exactly what happened to Autocar's Sam Sheehan, who recently visited the Belgian track for a proper test of the manic Focus.
Sure, it's not easy to draw the line between a successful and a failed attempt to chase another vehicle on the track, but we'll vote for the first version here.
We're not sure about the tires on the Focus RS, though - when asked about the rubber on YouTube, the British publication said the Blue Oval machine used the "optional Michelin Pilot Super Sport," but those are the standard tires, while the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 are the optional units.
Regardless, the sheer idea of comparing a $35,900 hot hatch with a $85,595 mid-engine Porsche seems surreal. We'll remind you the Focus RS is animated by a 2.3-liter turbo four delivering 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of twist, while the 911-borrowed naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six in the middle of the Cayman GT4 produces 385 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque.
And while we only see Sheehan pulling awesome tricks with the stick, we all know the driver of the Porsche with the 911 GT3 suspension was doing the same thing.
The aftermarket side of the industry will undoubtedly build on the Mk III Focus RS platform, so sportscar drivers who enjoy track stints should be worried about this.
This is a pursuit that reminds us of Ring Wolves - this is a term we've come up with to describe the kind of hot hatch drivers who know the Nordschleife like the back of their hand and love to stay in the rear-view mirrors of 911 GT3 RS or Ferrari 458 Speciale toys whose drivers can't push their cars to the limit. And yes, these guys usually like to form packs.
