我认为现在大多数人都知道重点RS数据和规格表。TL;博士——这是一个快速热舱口。但对于那些拥有一个比这更在情感上和精神上…好的和坏的。像很多孩子成长的过程中,我总是梦想着拥有一辆跑车。保时捷,兰博基尼,布加迪……所有大的名字填满我的清单。当我长大时,找到了一份工作,开始成人,我很快意识到我必须调整我想实际上排队等候我的银行存款余额。纯粹的用我自己的钱我买的第一辆车(没有家庭或银行援助)是在2010年,福特福克斯XR5——我喜欢它因为它的运动性能,独特的风格,和一般有趣的因素。快进到2017年,当福特宣布将停止生产RS模型在可预见的未来,我知道我必须得到一个,所以我在XR5交易(我仍然想念那辆车堆),买了一个崭新的黑色影子LZ专注RS。不只是FOMO让我尽管——一个6速手动,257千瓦所有轮驱动涡轮增压发动机,19英寸的车轮,大Brembo刹车,排气羽和持久性有机污染物- RS所有跑车元素我小时候一直想要的,但在一个负担得起的热孵化包。 Digging deeper, it has also adjustable driving modes which can alter the throttle and steering response, plus adjustable stiffness in the suspension - I was beginning to think this was just a mini Formula 1 car in disguise. It even has launch control!! Sure, it's basically useless in daily driving but if Dom Toretto ever showed up I could at least hold my own for the first 100 metres or so. The first time you start the car up each day is like that first sip of coffee in the morning - nothing beats it. The rumble of the exhaust on a cold start, the slight whine of the intake sucking in air... aural nirvana. As you pull out of the driveway and slowly take off (light on the throttle to start, heavier as the car warms up..), the sound of the turbo spooling up and the very readily available torque starting to push you into your Recaro sports seats, the grin on your face gets wider and wider. The stock exhaust isn't the loudest by any means, but it's got enough oomph to let you know there's some serious power under your right foot. Sure, you can drown it out with your 90's pop Spotify playlist hooked up to the Apple Carplay/Android Auto enabled infotainment system (or just use the excellent Sync 3 system from Ford), or turn up the surprisingly efficient (but nowhere near Toyota quality) aircond to mask the road noise - it’s not that loud but definitely noticeable and an acceptable price to pay for low profile semi-slick Michelins wrapped around 19 inch forged wheels. Combined with the AWD system however, the tyres grip like glue to the road; added to that, the steering is just light enough that you can dive into turns without it being twitchy, and the 4 pot 350mm front brakes (and 308mm rears) will stop you on point each and every time, just like a race car disguised as a hatchback should. Whilst we’re on the subject of race car, yes there are compromises - the ride is firm if you’re used to high riding SUVs like most of Australia; legroom isn’t great in the back; boot space is compromised by the AWD system underneath (you don’t even get a spare tyre, just an inflation kit). That said, I have fit a 21 inch wide cylinder mower into the back with the seats down, and have done countless Bunnings trips to pick up big bags of garden supplies. Also it’s best to ignore all the plastic buttons and faux leather interior trim that feels like a budget micro rental car. The fuel economy is… challenging to say the least - I doubt anyone who drives it as a daily (especially in town) would get it under 10L/100km. Oh, and the stock lug nuts are horrible things - just ask anyone who has had the misfortune of an over enthusiastic mechanic playing fast and loose with their impact wrench on the chrome ‘wrapped’ lug nuts. Ultimately though, all those compromises are so easily forgotten about each time you take the car for a spirited drive through some twisting hill roads, with the windows down and the breeze flowing through the cabin - speaking of which.. now that I’ve finished writing this it’s time to go for another spin.