Well, it looks like Ford did exactly what I said Chevy should do to make it's small/mid-sized car exciting:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/car ... /22809811/
More info from Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2017-f ... -info-news
I wish it wasn't a hatch, and AWD is not one of my requirements, but it is a nice touch and better than FWD which is all GM offers.
So, Ford took it's economy car, and gave it the Mustang engine, I was asking for the lowest Camaro engine in a RWD Cruze and Ford went the extra mile and gave their economy car the mid Mustang engine, with more power than the Mustang even gets with the same engine, and AWD with up to 70% power to the rear.
They have also stepped up by offering an American competitor to the STI and EVO.
GM, wake up to your younger audience or you will be building rolling couches again for your aging demographic.
PS GM you sell 3 performance vehicles, and 2 of them start at over 45K.
Focus RS
Re: Focus RS
I am pretty excited about the Focus RS. I think it's great to see another option in this segment. After taking my friend's EVO for a spin last fall, I have a new respect for this type of car. I think if I still lived up north, I would be more likely to care about AWD. Given the choice, I guess I would rather have my 320 HP going to all wheels than the front wheels. I just don't think anyone will make a small, cheap, RWD sedan. GM could at least attempt to play in this field by making a Cruze SS with the 2.0L turbo ecotec. It was encouraging to see what they would do with the vastly inferior Cobalt. This would probably compete more directly with the Focus ST, but it would be nice to see what they could do.
Re: Focus RS
I agree. This will shake things up a little. I wish it didn't need to be a "Hot Hatch", but at least they are making it.
I also agree the Cruze will never have a RWD version, but if they are to make an SS, which they should, I would want it to at least be AWD. High HP FWD is not exciting.
Plus, Ford offers AWD in a Fusion. I understand that GM had to sell off redundant brands for cost savings, but I think they ratcheted back the options a little too much. Ford seems to offer a much bigger range of options.
I also agree the Cruze will never have a RWD version, but if they are to make an SS, which they should, I would want it to at least be AWD. High HP FWD is not exciting.
Plus, Ford offers AWD in a Fusion. I understand that GM had to sell off redundant brands for cost savings, but I think they ratcheted back the options a little too much. Ford seems to offer a much bigger range of options.