Ah to be young again. AutoGuide’s nationally recognized, board-certified Oracles remember their youth vividly… it was terrible. People often say age is just a number and you’re only as old as you feel, unfortunately they were born wearing elastic-waist jeans and Science Olympiad fanny packs. Gingivitis arrived when they were in middle school.
The Ford Focus ST is an amazing handling machine, being incredibly unique amongst front drivers for its ability to rotate the rear end. More than just chassis tuning, however, the Focus ST has a secret.
The fate is still uncertain for the Ford Focus RS, which has been rumored for a 2015 debut in North America, and here we have the latest spy shots of what is likely Ford’s hot hatch, which will be sporting a new look, despite what is lurking under the hood. Continue Reading…
Mercedes-Benz is showing off it’s A45 AMG at the Geneva Motor Show, and while we won’t get this vehicle in the US, we will get its powertrain in a more attractive package with the CLA 45 AMG. Continue Reading…
Mercedes’ newest hot hatch – the A45 AMG – will make its official world premiere tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show. But why wait until then?
Were it not for Geneva, Volkswagen would have a compelling case to set up a booth in Scotland. After all, it is the birthplace of golf.
Now, more than ever, Ford’s Fiesta ST hot hatch is something to get excited about because pricing was just announced and it only costs $22,195 including delivery.
It might not seem like anyone is looking, but just like being naked with your blinds open, you never know who is peeking at your website.
As impressive a hot hatch as the Focus ST is, Ford is planning something much more amazing with new reports that the Focus RS will make a comeback.
The Volkswagen GTI just got a stylish new rival in the hot hatch segment… from Kia.
Push the bookends a bit farther apart on the shelf where you keep the specification sheets for cars you can’t own because Volkswagen just released details for its Polo R WRC.
This year’s LA Auto Show is just a few weeks away and over 50 vehicles are scheduled to be announced or revealed, including the possibility of the Ford Fiesta ST.
Ford unveiled five individually customized versions of its new Focus ST hot hatch at the 2012 SEMA Show.
Ford unveiled five individually customized versions of its new Focus ST hot hatch today at the 2012 SEMA Show.
Looking like a project car that should be heading to the 2012 SEMA Show, Hyundai has unveiled its Veloster Street Concept out at the 2012 Australian Motor Show.
Volkswagen may have pretty much invented the sub-compact car segment in North America, and yet the brand has shown very little interest in bringing its current small car to America. That will become a serious shame next year when the German auto giant unveils a hopped-up “R” badged version of its popular hatchback.
Topping the brand’s hot hatch range, the 2014 Volkswagen Golf R is appearing today for the first time in spy photos with a few visibile changes over the current model.
When you think of a hatchback with 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, good gas milage is probably far from being in the list of top priorities, but would you complain if it came with the package anyway?
Set to take on the Audi RS3 and BMW M135i, neither of which are available in North America, Mercedes has reportedly confirmed details of its upcoming premium hot-hatch, which will wear the A45 AMG badge.
While the thought of an ultra hot-hatch version of the new Focus has been under consideration for quite some time, Ford is also now considering, instead, the possibility of a Fiesta RS.
Driving enthusiasts in select cities across the U.S. will have the chance to drive Ford Focus ST with professional race instruction this summer.
According to a leaked spec sheet, Ford‘s upcoming Focus ST global hot hatch will start at $23,700 ($24,495 with the $795 destination charge).
Since its inception, Ford’s former Global Performance Vehicles chief Jost Capito intended for the Ford Focus ST to be at the top of its class, ”We want to have the best hot hatch in the sector. We want to be better than a VW Golf GTI, better than a Renaultsport Megane 250 – and we believe we have achieved that with a car that can be used day-to-day but is also extremely entertaining for enthusiastic drivers.”
Packed with the robust EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Focus ST produces 247-hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, the driving enthusiast’s gearbox of choice, the Focus ST lays down a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.
Although the latest hot hatch is certainly a lot of car for an affordable price, tacking on additional trim packages and equipment groups can quickly drive the price closer to $30k. Order codes ‘Equipment Group 201A and 202A charge for $2,505 and $4,840, respectively. A moonroof will cost $895, navigation is an additional $795, the special Tangerine Scream Tricoat Paint finish will cost another $495, and finally, an engine block heater will set you back another $35.
Depending on trim levels and combinations, a fully equipped Focus ST should fall close to $29,000, drawing it near basic Ford V6 Mustang territory. Despite the risk of overlap, these two sport oriented cars are distinct enough as to not risk the cannibalization of sales.
With the Focus ST set to arrive in dealers later this year, it’s only a matter of time before Ford releases a Fiesta ST hot hatch for the US as well.
[Source: FordSTNation.com]
