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So what does the RS500 bring extra to the table from the RS? With an added cost of roughly 7800 pounds, this version comes with a 45 bhp more, more torque, matt black vinyl wrap, and some extra detailing in the interiors. Now, the Clio Cup uses a very well done 197 bhp from its 2.0 liter four pot motor. Price? Half of the RS500! At 16,700 pounds, this Clio Cup throws a lot of questions at the Focus!
Well, RS500 vrooms with its answer from the 3rd gear onwards. The lowest 2 ratios, he new Focus is just as much as the RS only, but when the shift happens to a 3rd gear, the driver enters paradise in speeds! The Clio just loses out from here!
Testing? On a straight dry road, you might have to cling on hard to the wheel, it seems a reasonable price for the performance offered by this sexy hatch. The RS500 simply leaves us in awe, with its chassis which is totally amazing. The Classic front wheel drive has been tuned to give the driver utmost joy and excitement. Now, make a shift to the Clio and you will find a tad insulted. The poorer ride, and the artificial feel to the steering flare up like blatant errors to fine driving, but yes, the one point you will feel good about is that the Clio comes much lighter than the RS500. At 1204 kg of weight, the car weights close to 260 kg lesser than the Focus.
Where does all this leave the Ford Focus? It is definitely a very exciting car, with the refinement and space which the Clio looks up to. Well, in the end it all bogs down to what one wants. Some of you might feel 345 bhp pumped into a hatch is great for a time, but then paying only half as much for 197 bhp and using every bit of it all the time is more fun.
Now, I am not drawing parallels saying hot hatches should cost less and be less powerful, but then, the Clio Cup defines better than many other hatches, where the main focus for a hot hatch should be!
