Originally Posted by nunyo
Interesting. One is an (almost ridiculously) high powered sports car, owned primarily by people with more interest in image than driving ability. The other is a relatively tippy, but perfectly sensible front wheel drive sedan with a "hot hatch" variant. Now I have zero statistics with regards to either car flipping, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that between the two models, at autocrosses (where the image concious Corvette owner is more likely to be in the minority), the Focus would have higher flip numbers.
There's no sense being offended by it, it's a simple fact that taller shorter wheelbase cars will tip more easily than lower longer cars. The Focus falls into the former category. It doesn't make it a poor performer or an unsafe car, it simply means that its capabilities are not going to be as high as cars built with a narrower purpose. Also if there was indeed a rear suspension jacking issue, it is probably limited to the earlier models, the car was after all not initially targetting driving enthusiasts.
I'm not offended by any comments...I didn't design nor did I build the car. So I don't feel the need to stick-up for it.... But, I often hear people make claims that Foci can flip easily because they appear "top heavy."
Stating that a Focus has more of a flip-tendancy because it is "tallish" is not really a fair assessment. Just because a car has a high profile does not necessarily mean it has a high center of gravilty. The Focus' overall height is lower than many of it's contemporaries, (Civic, Corolla, etc) and ,it's track width is also about the same if not wider. Not to mention it comes equiped with bigger wheels and wider tires standard.
Weight is comparable as well...and yes, infact the Focus even is it's most unassuming trim level is actually designed to handle quite well. Engineered by Ford of U.K. it was built to satisfy European drivers that wanted a well rounded performing compact that offered a sport tuned suspension. And from it's inception it was intended to have great road manners, it was designed with good suspension geometry and a very rigid structure.
Additionally, the base Focus was also awarded 4 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA roll-over test. I imagine the SVT variant would do much better.