The Ford Focus RS’s new winter tire package allows you to laugh in the face of Old Man Winter
Ford’s getting ready to launch the hot new Focus RS and to make sure the new market is well supported, Dearborn just announced a special winter tire package for the Focus RS.
Should you check this box on the options list, because say, you live in or north of the “Rust Belt,” Ford will happily equip your lovely new winter hoon machine with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires, measuring at 225/40R18, for $1,995. Chances are, you’ll be able to stand up some Mitsu Evos and Subaru STIs as well.
The tire option essentially maintains the stock wheel selection that comes with the Focus RS, which are 18×7.5 in size, but come with a different paint finish to better fend off salt staining during harsh winter times.
Ford tested the tire package on test mule Focus RSes in extreme cold climates such as in Sweden and Northern Michigan. So you can definitely depend on it to get you out of most winter scenarios, short of high-topping the car on a snow bank. Or, say you want to turn a local, deserted road into a winter rally course, in which case, we’d say, proceed at your own risk.
We’d hope you’d be skilled and rehearsed enough to handle the Focus RS because it is a serious hot hatch, boasting Ford’s latest 2.3L EcoBoost four-banger with 350hp and 350 lb-ft of torwue, a manual transmission, and all-wheel drive. 0-62 happens in just 4.7 seconds with the top speed hitting 165 MPH.
And you can have all of this for $35,730.
———————————-
Feb 17, 2016 | DEARBORN, Mich.
Winter Be Damned, Focus RS Drivers Can Shred Snow with First-Ever Factory Winter Tire Package
- Focus RS will be first car in North America to offer a winter tire and wheel option as a factory accessory
- Focus RS Winter Wheel & Tire Package includes Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires, 18-inch silver-painted wheels, tire pressure monitoring sensors, and center caps all fully mounted and balanced
- Package is certified to Ford Performance standards; arrives at dealerships ready for installation
DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 17, 2016 – Customers of Ford’s all-new all-wheel-drive 350-horsepower Focus RS will now be able to order a fully certified winter tire kit for great driving enjoyment in the snow.
The Focus RS Winter Wheel & Tire Package offers customers a unique set of wheels and tires – the first time an original equipment manufacturer is making a check-the-box winter tire option available in North America.
“We started this project knowing what our RS customers really want out of their cars,” says Adam Wirth, chassis supervisor, Ford Performance. “This tire package allows RS owners to continue spirited driving even in the snow.”
Ford Performance developed this package so the most demanding Focus customers can be outfitted with optimum equipment for winter conditions. The challenge was that normal vehicle testing procedures require certification with production wheels and tires; winter-only standards had never been authored. To bring this package to owners, the first step Ford Performance had to undertake was creating a new set of standards specifically suited for brutal winter conditions.
These new standards were put to the test in extreme cold and snow in Northern Michigan and Sweden, to guarantee the quality and performance Ford customers expect. Engineers and technicians tested a wide variety of high-performance winter tire and wheel setups to determine the optimum combination for ride, handling and performance in various wintry conditions.
The winning setup is a 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tire mounted to a new 18×7.5-inch wheel, which looks very similar to the base Focus RS option, but is finished in sparkle silver to hide salt spray. The set is complete with tire pressure monitoring sensors and center caps fully mounted and balanced and ready for installation at the dealer.
The wheel and tire are narrower, to provide improved snow traction, while the overall diameter is smaller, so owners can fit chains if necessary.
“We fully expect our more extreme-weather customers to take advantage of the ability to use snow chains,” Wirth says a smirk.
The Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive fitted to Focus RS will take full advantage of these new winter tires.
“Settings are completely driver-preference,” notes Wirth. “Customers are able to utilize all four drive modes to suit their driving style in winter conditions.”
Focus RS Winter Wheel & Tire Package is available only in North America – a $1,995 option. For customers in Canada, the package comes standard on Focus RS. The Focus RS arrives at dealerships in North America this spring.
– By: Chris Chin
