http://www.pistonheads.com/news/gene...-johnson/33619
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I love this article. Good on him for being confident in his product.
Great article, tough man to impress!!!
Not a fan of understeer either lol.
I really want to drive one of these
???
My last post are meant to be thumbs *3 but got??? Instead. Good article, at least some parts of Ford are run right, hope he sticks around for many yrs
http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/160...of-time-autos/
Another interview:
Quote:
Ford Focus RS chief pans waste-of-time autos
WHY will we get only a six-speed manual Ford Focus RS?
Because developing a double-clutch auto for the stirring performance hatch would have been a waste of time, according to senior Ford engineer Tyrone Johnson.
“We didn’t need an automatic transmission to sell more than we’re going to sell anyway,” Johnson insisted. “It doesn’t matter.”
The vehicle engineering manager, who led the Ford Performance team through the almost three-year development program for the Focus RS, isn’t eager to talk about future product. And there’s an annoying PR minder close by to make sure he doesn’t give in to the temptation.
But it is clear the German-American, a 31-year Ford lifer, doesn’t see any pressing need for RS models with only two pedals.
In the case of the Focus RS specifically, buyers are offered no other choice than a six-speed manual because this transmission is lighter.
Ford -Focus -RS-interiorReducing understeer was a very high priority during development of the car, Johnson said, and any kind of auto would have added about 30kg over the front axle.
But it’s also clear this senior engineer doesn’t have a very high opinion of double-clutch transmissions. And not only because of their weight…
Discussing the Mercedes A45 AMG (Ford Performance bought one for evaluation during the Focus RS program), Johnson gets animated.
“The Mercedes that we just talked about has a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds… in Launch Mode,” he says.
“What do you think the 0-100km/h time is when you’re not in Launch Mode, that is 99 percent of the time that you’re driving the car?” he demands, before providing the answer to his own question: 5.6 seconds.
“So it’s over a second slower 99 percent of the time,” Johnson continues. “What’s the point of that?”
The Focus RS, in contrast, can deliver its full acceleration potential full time, he says. While it’s easiest to get the best 0-100km/h number using the Ford’s Launch Control tech, the car isn’t effectively hobbled if the driver doesn’t call on it.
The message seems clear, despite the ban on discussing future product; don’t expect anything wearing an RS badge to come auto-equipped anytime soon.
The comments about launch mode are interesting..!
As is the inference that no product wearing the RS badge will ever be auto...
Well, just as the saying goes, you either use it or lose it seems appropriate when lining up your A45 next to a RS :)
We have been through this before.
No one will talk up an option they don't provide. When you look at the issues ford have had with focus transmissions it's understandable too.
Go back through history.
What did ford say about AWD in a hot hatch? It's all about the weight. Revoknuckle does the job and so on.
What do we have now?
Remember back to the cast iron block v alloy comments? They were classic.
The fact is that manual transmission are dying and will continue to die. You don't stay in business by not supplying the market with what they want.
The consumers coming through have been raised on Xbox and play stations. It will change and ford will change too.
That said.
If you set out to only make X volume, market pressures are very different. Today there are still enough manual drivers in the world to satisfy niche volume.
Ford make a lot of decisions based around women today. Women tend to have a decent say in the purchase of the toys too.
You will get away with this thinking for only so long.
It not so much about the debate on performance v transmission. The manual shift has to have feel, it has to be an experience that make you want to drive it. There is no good citing what happens 99% of the time verse a 0-100 run if in that 99% of the time the clutch is too light or has no feel. Manual shifting is about feel. I am assuming the RS has that because it would be silly to be talking like they are if it was a notchy slow shift, devoid of feel.
The other thing that has changed is that a lot of manual cars now have hill start assist. This might convince some to give manuals a chance but there is no question in my mind certain markets will provide feedback telling ford they need a dcg option.