The Focus RS Automatically Restarts if You Stall it

2016 Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS’ release date is quickly nearing, and more details are starting to roll out as we get closer. Today, Ford revealed a new system that it’s including with the powerful hatchback that it has dubbed “Stall Recovery.” As a formality, Ford also used this opportunity to confirm that the Focus RS will crank out 350 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm — last month, Ford revealed these output specs as projected estimates.

Regardless of how many years you’ve been driving a manual transmission, I can guarantee that you have stalled you manual-equipped car at least once this year. We all do it, and it’s typically no problem, but restarting the car can be a clumsy affair if you’re in a rush.

The new Stall Recovery system in the Focus RS eliminates this clumsiness, as it will automatically restart the engine if you stall it.

There are conflicting reports as to how this system actually works. Jalopnik spoke with a Ford rep, who claims that driver’s activate this system by pushing in the clutch pedal. On the flip-side, Ford’s press release says, “there will be no need for drivers to manually restart the engine or move the gear selector to neutral as the innovative technology simply pushes the clutch back in,” which implies the system does all the work for you. 

While I am intrigued by this system, it is also a little scary. This makes me nervous because I can see numerous drivers who are inexperienced in driving a manual transmission opting for this super-powerful hatchback because of this feature. Suddenly, we’ll have thousands of 350-horsepower hatchback bucking their way down the road as inexperienced drivers try to fumble their way through the gears. All the more reason for us real gearheads to snatch all of these up before the amateurs can get their hands on them.

Keep it locked here for the latest on the 2016 Ford Focus RS, as there is bound to be lots more information to roll out in the coming months leading into production, which should kick off around December of 2015.