NewNiceMrMe Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Spotted a great little duel on the journey to the office today. In front of me was a brand new Metallic Grey Ford Focus ST. It looked rather nice too, and very understated in this color. A mile or so down the road, up from a sliproad came a Silver Audi S3 with a personalised plate of K5 **N. I muttered the words 'pr1ck' as he proceeded to veer out into the inside lane forcing a car to brake, and then 'what a twat' when he continued his battle against the rest of mankind by forcing his way in front of the Focus ST. So for the next 2-3 miles I watched as the Focus ST (directly in front of me) and the S3 (in front of the ST) kept pulling as hard up to the outside line as possible to see where the traffic was going to clear. Then....we came to Bowes Incline. The Angel of the North. Those that know it well are all too familiar with it as a perfect location for getting away from other cars in the 3-lane race to the top. So I backed off a little to get a good view of the 2 car duel that I knew was going to happen! Sure enough....the traffic clears into the inside 2 lanes and the S3 hoofs it....with the ST right up it's arse!!! From the bottom, right to the very top (a good 1/2 mile) of a steep incline the S3 could not shake the ST off. They then got caught up in the merging traffic at the top and by the time I got up to the top (in the Sootymobile) was only 3 cars behind them. On the nice long straight ahead it was obvious the S3 was looking to get away. Sure enough, again a car pulled in and the S3 went for it. Again...with the Focus ST sat right up it's arse.....until the point that as they rounded the long sweeping bend at the end of the straight I noticed the S3 had pulled into the middle lane and the ST was edgiing past him!!!! I was genuinely suprised, and impressed, with the Focus ST. The S3 driver was going for it full out, no mistake, but the Ford was there every step of the way. Idiots of course for doing this on a public road in busy traffic - but it was a giggle to see the ST passing the S3! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Is the Audi S3 4WD? I wouldn't have wanted to have placed bets on the 'winner' but I don't know much about the S3. An entertaining read though....Thanks MrMe . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollox Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 The S3 is AWD like the R32 (FWD in normal circumstances with Haldex sending drive rearwards when needed). The S3 has the 1.8T engine variant as found in the TT 225: 5 valves per cylinder, K04 Turbo and twin intercoolers. There were 2 states of tune: 210bhp original and then it 'gained' the 225bhp engine as per the TT. All versions had a 6 speed box. Quoted performance: 0-60 6.2s, Top Speed 148mph With a remap you're looking at 250-270bhp (mine last read 265 & 265) and I would guess 5.8ish and 155mph. You should have more of a look into the S3 Robin, its a great car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Well this one couldn't be split from the Focus ST. Then again they have almost identical weights and identical BHP. The ST didn't seem to have any problem with traction though and it laid it's power down well enough on the incline to be hard up behind the S3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 once on the move, 4 wheel drive traction doesn't really mean a lot - I assume both the cars were going in a straight line? I've seen a few Focus ST's - quite a smart looking car really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Yes, straight line and then a very long bend, so no handling characteristics or real grip tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I test drove the ST (Asbo) back to back with the R32 and it is a stonking car. It's the torque that really gets you and although quoted the same as the R32, it feels a lot stronger. Mind you, thats probably due to the turbo kicking in whereas the R is more linier. Great performance for the value though (some going as low as 15k now!). The only thing that puts me off really is the fact its 2WD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I thought about one before I got the R32. Couldn't find a dealer who actually had a car available to drive Still fancy a go - just to see if I made the right choice of course I really like the focus - but what you said summed up one of the major reasons that put me off: [ QUOTE ] I've seen a few Focus ST's - quite a smart looking car really. [/ QUOTE ] It has only been properly on sale for a few weeks - and there are already a good few about... Love that 'Racing Blue' colour too Oh, and completely off topic, I saw an Astra VXR in the showroom at the weekend. Liked it a lot in the flesh - looked really really good. The interior was quite tasty as well Still prefer my Golf though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I've seen that guy as well MrMe' is a 210 S3, not the 225, and yes he is a complete tosser! Gives such a bad name to Audi Drivers. Tried it on with me as well, just let him past, I do get worried about the ones who sit up your arse so much you can't see their front lights. Those Focus ST's are good though, nice sound too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Gives such a bad name to Audi Drivers. [/ QUOTE ] talking of which I saw a noggy blue S3 on the M25 this morning - it had the Lexus-style clear rear light lenses and blacked out rear windows. IMHO this totally ruined the 'Audi' look and if this is the way Audi owners are going then its time to sell my car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Gives such a bad name to Audi Drivers. [/ QUOTE ] talking of which I saw a noggy blue S3 on the M25 this morning - it had the Lexus-style clear rear light lenses and blacked out rear windows. IMHO this totally ruined the 'Audi' look and if this is the way Audi owners are going then its time to sell my car! [/ QUOTE ] ....Ooops! There's a TSN member who has a car that fits your description except for the blacked out rear window (I think). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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