Ford Focus RS: Future leader of the (large) hot hatch family?

Over the past few years, the market for hot hatchbacks has increased dramatically. As a continent, Europe now has something of a reputation for them. And one of the very first manufacturers for these cars: Ford. But how do you keep at the front of a market evolving so quickly? Even if you were there at the very beginning, how do you create a product that is better than all the others?

Well, here is Ford's attempt to blast back into the sector and kick rivals like the Audi RS3 and the Honda Civic Type-R back into the corner. The new Focus RS. A car that has a lot of form, and has now arrived in its 3rd gen. guise. However, Ford are currently very secretive about any figures, knowing that if they announce they are in front they are most likely to be bettered. A horsepower figure of 'At least 320' has been released, but figures like weight and 0-62MPH are not being disclosed. But perhaps the most important fact about this new car? It will be AWD. Leading many of us to reminisce about hot Fords of old. AN dont think it's going to be a flappy paddle 'box. A manual remains. The engine under the bonnet is a variant of the new Mustangs 2.3 litre ecoboost, but modified in such a way that means it will have less mid-range lag and more top-end kick. Another interesting point is the fact that the rear axle is driven by clutch packs, meaning that, if both are open, it will be 100% AWD but, as the gearing is different, it is also possible to have a 70% rear biased. meaning the possibility of big skids. And unnecessary looning around. And the time we have to wait for this re-incarnation? 2016. And hopefully soon we will know some more juicy figures.
Nev

Mazda MX-5: can it beat it's predecessor?

When most people think of a sportster, there is usually only one that springs to mind. A car that has sold almost a million units since the first gen model of 1989. This new fourth-gen model is practically all-new, and therefore has a massive responsibility to better an already near-perfect sportster.

This new car attempts to achieve the task of bettering its predecessor by capitalising on the very things that made it so popular in the first place. It is lighter by over 100kg, by shedding a few grams off all of the components, which all adds up to the new car losing 10% of the old car's weight, which wasn't very much anyway. Also the fourth generation is shorter than its predecessor, meaning that overall the weight distribution is even more balanced, and the centre of gravity is even lower, meaning even more agility and handling prowess. The engine remains as a small 1.5 litre four-cylinder, with only 129 BHP, but the engine  manages very good economy, even when it is driven like it should be: flinging it around all over the place. And despite the prices starting at around £19,000, the interior isn't exactly lacking in gadgets, and definitely doesn't feel cheap.

So, the new MX-5. a car that manages to be smaller, lower and lighter than the original, while staying true to the original by retaining a small engine. And with that lightly aggressive styling, I think the hairdresser car stereotypes are a thing of the past.

Nev

Ferrari 488 GTB: New era or start of the end

It's going to be an exciting year for Ferrari. Here is the new 458 replacement which, after last years Californina T, is the car in which Ferrari is bringing the turbocharger to its mid-engined supercar sector, it's heart. And it's doing everything to show that this new turbocharged era will be better than the natural one. So, the car. In my opinion the styling is spot on, and the addition of the air vents and active flaps only serve to make it look ready for purpose.

The new 3.9 litre ( below 4 for tax reasons) twin-turbo motor makes 661 BHP, which is considerably more than the 458 Speciale and just more, suspiciously, than the Mclaren 650S, clearly its biggest rival.  Not only that but it also weighs in at 10kg lighter than the standard 458 and manages to drop 15% of its CO2 emissions as well. A pretty impressive feat, I'm sure you'll agree. From an impressive car. All of the hard work from the Ferrari engineers has meant that it is supposed to feel more like a naturally aspirated car too. 0-62 is achieved in 3 seconds (admittedly the same as the 458 Speciale) but when the two cars reach 124 the 488 will be 1 whole second in front! Top speed is 205. Plus some physics warping by the engineers, with the 488 achieving more downforce yet reduced drag. How is that possible? Anyway, lots of trickery.

And the 488 will be ready for production this summer. So not long to wait. To see whether 458 owners will be kicking themselves or not.

Nev