Type R Civic Competitors?

[Rainbow Warrior]

Which hot hatches will the Type R be competing with? Off the top it seems like the new Focus ST is one of the competitors. The Type R should blow it away in horsepower hopefully (252 hp versus...306 hp)?

What others?

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[RSXer]

Which hot hatches will the Type R be competing with? Off the top it seems like the new Focus ST is one of the competitors. The Type R should blow it away in horsepower hopefully (252 hp versus...306 hp)?

Focus RS might be the more direct competitor? It'll have at least 320hp / 320lb-ft.

Actually the Type R might be somewhere in the middle of the ST and RS. Maybe in price too.

The one thing the Focus RS will definitelly have an advantage in tho is its AWD.

 

[s2ker]

Golf R

 

[Rainbow Warrior]

Yea harder to compare now that the Focus RS is being fitted with AWD (same goes for Golf R) but Ford did say the new RS will have more than 316 hp. Maybe a better comparison is the previous model RS that's FWD.

 

[05 Si]

Yea harder to compare now that the Focus RS is being fitted with AWD (same goes for Golf R) but Ford did say the new RS will have more than 316 hp. Maybe a better comparison is the previous model RS that's FWD.

I think the Focus RS will be more expensive too so probably not a direct apples to apples comparison.

 

[Moichi]

Hate to bench race but it's fun so I'll ask anyway... do we know the Nurburgring times for the Focus ST, RS and the Golf R?

 

[Tuttle]

RS Focus gonna be $$$$$. And you'll have to drive a Ford

 

[Backstrom]

Here's a good perspective on how impressive the Type R's Ring time is.. faster than the R34 Skyline GT-R back in the day. The Focus RS is going to be a beast, with AWD it's going to launch better than the Type R for sure but those Ring times will be tough to match even with over 316 hp.

Pound for pound, the 306 horsepower turbocharged VTEC engine in the Civic Type R should be no match for the 315+ horsepower that is promised by the 2.3-liter Ecoboost in the Focus RS. However, you cannot argue with results: a prototype version of the brand-new 2015 Civic Type R completed a lap of the Nurburgring in 7:50.63, effectively breaking the record for the quickest time by a front-wheel-drive car on the legendary track. While the AWD Focus RS has yet to post a time on the German circuit, it is worth noting that the Civic Type R's unreal Nurburgring lap time is quicker than the record set by the renowned AWD Japanese supercar R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R back in 1999.

In order to tackle a track as tricky as the Nurburgring, it is obvious that the new 2015 Civic Type R is more than just its engine. Four-piston Brembo front brakes that grab hold to 13.8-inch rotors to make sure the Civic Type R stops as well as it goes.

The new Honda also offers high-end performance hardware including an adjustable dampers system that features four modes. At "+R," the Civic Type R not only sets the dampers to its stiffest setting, but also tightens the steering and quickens the throttle response. Honda has also developed a Dual Axis Strut Front Suspension, similar to the Ford RevoKnuckle, to tame torque steer. The rear suspension also features an H-section torsion beam for improved rigidity.

Unfortunately, the Civic Type R has gone with an electronically assisted steering setup, a system that is often criticized for offering less feel than the hydraulic assist in older models.

Normally, all it takes to create a hot hatch is a moderate engine tune and a firmer suspension setup to deliver better handling for driving enthusiasts. The definition of a hot hatchback is simple. Well it's supposed to be, anyway. With the brand-new 2016 Focus RS and 2015 Civic Type-R, we're not so sure anymore.

http://www.carscoops.com/2015/03/2016-focus-rs-vs-2015-civic-type-r-wpoll.html

 

[Whoosh]

I like that mode name "+R"

Good info on the suspension. Hope that they've done a good job on the electric steering so that it retains some 'feel' and isn't just precise.

 

[Viva la vida]

So... anyone know what the Focus RS or Golf R ran at Nurburgring? I doubt the ST would be in the same league.

 

[Moichi]

So... anyone know what the Focus RS or Golf R ran at Nurburgring? I doubt the ST would be in the same league.

Golf R laptime is only 8:14 - http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html. That's 24 seconds slower than the Type-R!

 

[Moichi]

Digging around for the new Focus RS time but don't think they've officially published it yet. I was able to find an article that said it's "15 seconds quicker compared to the MkVI Golf R".

The 2009 Focus RS did it in 8:26 - http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html. So 15 seconds off that would mean 8:11 laptime, still 21 seconds slower than the Type-R!

 

[iamjack]

Bench racing aside, styling wise the Focus RS looks plain vanilla next to the Type R.... IMO

 

[Tap Out]

+1 if you're gonna get a hot hatch, it should be wild and attention grabbing like the Type R.

 

[Rainbow Warrior]

Win for Civic: stance, wheels, spoiler, shark antenna, overall looks/cool factor
Win for Focus: color, rear visibility, and hp/rwd if you want to count those

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