Speculation

[Hack]

What numbers have been released for the Focus? I saw that the US HP was bumped to 350 recently, but I haven't seen an 0-60, 1/4 mile, or track times. What have I been missing?

As far as GT350 performance goes, I think the standard car will not be as fast as a Z/28. If you put R-comps on the car, then it'll probably be right there or a bit faster. Ford has even implied this with their Grattan Raceway testing, when they mentioned that the regular GT350 was about as fast as a C7 Z51 and the GT350R was as fast as a 911 GT3 (the Z/28 was between those two limits).

So, I guess if the GT350 was slower than a 1LE, then I'd be disappointed.

Regarding lap times, keep in mind that most of us amateur drivers will do better in a car that inspires confidence than in a less balanced car with greater ultimate grip. However, at the same time, if a car has a higher performance envelope, we will still likely be faster (even though we can't fully exploit the limits) since running at, say, 80% of the higher limits will allow higher overall performance.

So, while a pro will be faster in a slower car than I am in my faster car, it is very likely that I will faster in a faster car, than I am in a slower car. Clear as mud, I hope.

-T

Totally makes sense, and the comments about pro drivers are completely abstract as well. It's not like most of us are going to be entering into professional level races with the cars. We will be driving on a track with other amateurs. And whether or not there's any other car around, we will be experiencing the joy of greater G forces in the GT350.

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[stanglife]

...and MANY, if not most of us will drive the cars on the streets, where there are few places to exploit high-speed cornering abilities. This is where I feel the car needs to be on-point and competitive with other cars in it's performance "genre".

A Miata is also built for balanced handling but not many are cross-shopping those for their fun street car because they are slow as can be. So you want GT350 owners to have the same motto as Miata owner? "Yeah, it's slow pretty much everywhere but if you take it to a track, lookout!" I think not. Performance cars these days need to do a little bit of everything and I doubt FP ignored this. I'd be surprised if it doesn't hit the mark.

 

[Spa2k]

Ford is refusing to release the info on this car for a reason. The Focus RS is getting more respect from Ford when it comes to the numbers. All of this media hype with track tours and such is beyond pointless. It's now absurd!

I don't believe there's any connection. The GT 350 was simply the next vehicle in the Ford Performance lineup ready to hit the market, so the first round of Track Tours featured it. BTW, the "absurdity" will continue: The next round of Track Tours will feature the Focus RS.

 

[Nataphen]

Focus RS has a 0-60 of 4.7 according to Ford. That's the only number other than power that's been given on it.

 

[needspeed]

I am a very fortunate and grateful man as I can buy 1 to 2 new cars per year. I do not collect them, but experience them.

I am getting a GT350 for the fun of it and I think that is worth the price of admission.

If you want a sure thing that has been out for awhile, you can pick up a Z/28 for $58K as they are sitting on lots all over the place.

Having had an F430 I love an NA motor and though this is not a Ferrari, it should have similar throttle response and that is so cool.

I loved my modded 14 GT500 it was stupid fast, I love my Hellcat for what it is and I will love the GT350 for what it is.

Truly of all the cars I have owned and its a lot, the only cars I really miss so far was my 911SC, an 05 NSX, the F430 and to some extent the 2012 CTS-V all for different reasons.

I hope the GT350 will be the same.........Steve

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

Focus RS has a 0-60 of 4.7 according to Ford. That's the only number other than power that's been given on it.

This is pretty good considering the now $300K 2005 Ford GT did the 0 to 60 sprint in 3.8 seconds (according to Dec 2004 Motor Trend)

 

[Nataphen]

No doubt, it's a bad little car. I'd love to park one right next to a GT350R in my garage. That's more car payment than I can handle though. My wife has a Focus ST with a tune that I can use for my hot hatch fix once in a while.

 

[ProblemHouston]

Are we buying a great car here or are we spending $60k on bragging rights?

 

[Grimace427]

Are we buying a great car here or are we spending $60k on bragging rights?

Seems like some people can't distinguish between the two.

 

[_M_]

^ hmmm. I don't think that's what's being discussed here at all.

 

[krt22]

It's actually exactly what is being discussed the way the OP is worded.

 

[_M_]

It's actually exactly what is being discussed the way the OP is worded.

Since I'm the OP I think I know what I posted.

There is nothing about bragging rights, or "I have a better car than you", there is a question that if the car doesn't meet your individual expectation of a threshold of performance are you going to keep it or dump it.

I think you've implied even if the car is disappointing to you, you're keeping it...right?

I'm keeping it too, by the way.

 

[_M_]

Interesting read

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...y-gt350r-review-seems-awesome-really-no-idea/

 

[krt22]

Since I'm the OP I think I know what I posted.

There is nothing about bragging rights, or "I have a better car than you", there is a question that if the car doesn't meet your individual expectation of a threshold of performance are you going to keep it or dump it.

I think you've implied even if the car is disappointing to you, you're keeping it...right?

I'm keeping it too, by the way.

Yes I was aware of you being the OP. As it states, basically the car does everything you want it to, but falls short of some preconceived notion of ultimate performance compared to the competition. You then went on use published track times as the bench mark for this comparison.

So put two and two together, the car does everything you want, but falls short compared to the competition in terms of delivering ultimate performance you yourself could never dream of attaining in the car. So if this is the case and the metric you use to keep or dump the car, what other reason is it besides water cooler/internet bragging rights?

If it does a 1:38 at laguna seca instead of a 1:37, when you yourself will never drive it at laguna seca, let alone anywhere near that pace, who cares? If that 1 or 2 seconds at ONE track with ONE driver is the make or break point for any individual, they are in fact buying the car for some sort of ego driven reason.

The car will not/cannot be disappointing to me because I'm not buying it for bench racing. If the Z28 laps a tad faster im not losing any sleep over it. I know I don't have the skill to drive either car near that limit, so it's a useless metric for me.

 

[_M_]

@ krt22

Oh my gosh you're right. I couldn't see it myself, but thanks to your intervention I can see the dangerous path I was headed down. You saved me.

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