A series of fast Fords celebrate anniversaries at this years Fast Ford Show at Silverstone.

• Survey reveals Ford Sierra RS500 is the ‘Ultimate Cosworth’
• RS500’s 30th anniversary will be celebrated at Ford Fair, along with Escort Cosworth’s 25th
• UK’s biggest Ford show takes place at Silverstone, Northants, on August 6
• Thousands of classic and modern Fords to attend, along with Ford itself
• mountune to be headline sponsor

One of the most iconic performance cars of the 1980s is celebrating its 30th anniversary in style, having been named the ‘Ultimate Cosworth’ by one of the UK’s biggest one-make car shows.

The Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth pipped its spiritual successor, the Escort RS Cosworth, to the post, securing over 55% of the votes in an online survey carried out by Ford Fair to determine which of the two icons was the daddy. The Escort also has a major anniversary in 2017, celebrating its 25th birthday.

A special display celebrating both of these famous fast Fords will be one of the main features of this year’s show, which takes place at Silverstone, Northants, on Sunday August 6.

The RS500 was originally developed for homologation purposes to give the Eighties’ favourite repmobile, the humble Ford Sierra, a chance to compete in World, European and British Touring Car Championships. It was famous in the UK, where it performed in the British Touring Car Championship in the hands of drivers such as Andy Rouse, Steve Soper and Tim Harvey. It also competed in the 1988 World Touring Car Championship and enjoyed success in Australia, too, in the hands of legendary Touring Car driver Dick Johnson.

Just 500 RS500 road cars were made, 75% of which were finished in black, the rest in either white or Ford’s distinctive Moonstone Blue. They were finished by Aston Martin Tickford, with a bigger turbo, while the main external identifier was its outrageous ‘whale tail’ spoiler – a far cry from the average showroom Sierra. 

In addition to the Cosworth anniversary feature, there are some other birthday’s being commemorated in special display areas. These include 15 years of the Mk1 Focus RS, 15 years of the Mondeo ST220 and 15 years of the Focus ST170 – yes, 2002 was a great year for fans of fast Fords.

Ford Fair will also have over 4,000 club cars on display, including many other classic and modern Fords, plus a special selection of cars from Ford itself, including the all-new Fiesta.

Other star features will include The Live Action Arena, which will once again be at the centre of the show, a live performance from stunt driver Paul Swift, bookable track time for show visitors and a dedicated Classic Zone, hosted by Classic Fordmagazine, which will play host to all manner of historic heroes from Anglia to Zodiac.

Once again, the event will see headline sponsorship from aftermarket Ford specialists, mountune, while Hardrace, KSport, BC Racing, BC Forged Wheels, Goodridge, Sky Insurance and ValetPRO are other key sponsors.

New for 2017, Ford Fair will also host the inaugural Fast Ford Awards sponsored by Sky Insurance. This special display will form part of the Fast Ford stand at the show, and will include winners of various categories, such as ‘Best Street Car’, ‘Best Engine Swap’, ‘Best Modern Ford’, ‘Best Old School Ford’ and many more.

This epic display of the UK’s finest fast Fords will coincide with the very latest issue of Fast Ford magazine – available to buy at the show a week before it hits the shops. The ‘Fast Ford Awards’ special issue will include full details of the various categories and all of winners. And, with all of the winners proudly on display at the front of the Fast Ford stand, you will be able to get up close and personal with the very cars in the magazine.

At the show, all of the Award winners will be entered into the Fast Ford People’s Choice Award, which will be decided on the day.

Also, you’ll find the Ford Fair merchandise marquee on the Fast Ford stand, where you can pick up the latest issue of the magazine, take advantage of some show-exclusive subscription deals, or get your hands on the latest branded goodies.

Other show highlights will include a Show & Shine sponsored by ValetPRO, individual entries, public track time and a packed retail village.

Already, over 4,000 Fords are booked into club displays, promising a fun-filled day for all fans of the UK’s most popular car brand.

For the chance to buy discounted tickets*, visit www.fordfair.co.uk

Ssangyong takes it 1-Tonne pick up and takes it racing, - Now this looks like fun.

Weekend of 3 & 4 June for the second round of motorsports’ newest race series 

The SsangYong Musso Pick-up Racing Challenge - UK Motorsports’ newest race series, will line-up for three races plus qualifying at the second of six meetings this year at Silverstone on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 June.

The series launched at Snetterton over the weekend of 13/14 May, when 12 SsangYong Musso Pick-ups took to the field, and follows the highly successful format running in New Zealand. 

The single make series is based on the production SsangYong Musso 1-tonne Pick-up sold in the UK, sporting a sealed 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine and running gear. Changes to the vehicle are limited to full safety equipment in compliance with RACMSA regulations, specially developed suspension dampers by Proflex and wheels from Speedline Corse with AVON control tyres. 

The first weekend of three 15-minute races was held in mixed weather conditions, and led to some exciting close-quarter racing for competitors in this brand-new manufacturer supported series. 

After qualifying, racing got underway on a rolling start, and after three races of thrills and spills – and a long night for the mechanics to have the grid ready for day two, Lewis Grant left Snetterton leading the standings. 

Commenting on his success, Lewis Grant said: “The weekend went really well. I only sat in the car for the first time on Friday so to come away with two wins and a second place is brilliant. To drive a rear wheel drive car is a big change for me, so it took a little bit of getting used to. I am really impressed with the Musso and was surprised how well it handles, leading to some really close and competitive racing.” 

Runner-up, Harry Webb said: “I am really pleased to have won the final race of the weekend. The cars are pretty equal and produce some very close racing, so it was challenging, and very difficult to get past anyone. The SsangYong Musso is very different to anything I have driven before - it was fun.” 

Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK commenting on the first event said: “As a relatively new brand in the UK, we like to be different and try new initiatives. Pick-ups aren’t noted for their ability on a race track, but we had seen the success enjoyed in New Zealand, so thought we’d give it a go. 

“Despite a few inevitable teething issues from turning pick-ups into racing cars, the cars ran remarkably smoothly on their first outing at Snetterton, and with what we have learnt, bodes well for a great season. It’s a highly competitive format, and clear that drivers and supporters are already extremely enthusiastic.” 

The SsangYong Musso Pick-up Racing Challenge 2017 

Round 1	13 & 14 May	Snetterton	Double header
Round 2	3 & 4 June	Silverstone National	Double header
Round 3	8 & 9 July	Knockhill	Double header
Round 4	29 July	Oulton Park	Single header
Round 5	30 Sept	Cadwell Park	Single header
Round 6	28 & 29 Oct	Brands Hatch Indy	Double header
For the single header rounds, there are 2 races + qualifying
For the double header rounds, there are 3 races + qualifying

AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Ford Fiesta ST200 takes the honours for drivers car under £30k

• Autocar presents second award in as many years to Ford Performance models
• Increases number of UK awards for top-selling Ford Fiesta to over 60  

The Ford Fiesta ST200 has been crowned Britain’s best affordable driver’s car under £30,000 at this year’s Autocar Awards.

Since the 200PS version of the Fiesta ST arrived under a year ago, 850 have been ordered by UK driving enthusiasts – in addition to 6,125 choosing the standard 182PS version in the same period.

The enthusiast’s motoring magazine and website declared Fiesta ST200 “the best-made, most convincing all-round ST yet”, thanks to steering enhanced to make the car’s initial rate of turn even more rigorous, the hot supermini’s tight-bodied response through bends and 0-62mph in 6.7sec and a maximum 142mph. 

Driving fans have a long history of being attracted to fast Fords, having bought a total of 17,250 of the current Fiesta ST.  

The 250PS Ford Focus RS, honoured at last year’s Autocar Awards with a maximum five stars for its “barmy and tremendously engaging” drive, has drawn a further 5,000 thrill seekers to the blue oval brand.

The larger Focus ST, available with petrol and diesel powertrains in both hatchback and estate body styles, the right-hand drive Mustang muscle car and newly launched GT supercar are the other models offering a performance Ford for every budget – from £18,000 Fiesta ST to the over £420,000 GT.

The current Fiesta has scooped up 61 awards since launch in 2008, including this one from Autocar, 12 from sister publication What Car? and the balance from other auto media and experts.

Matthias Tonn, Fiesta ST200 chief engineer who collected the award, said:  “The Ford Performance team took a special drivers’ car to a new level of power and performance in the ST200.  Customer take-up and awards such as this have established Fiesta ST200 as a future classic and helped put fast Fords at the top of petrol heads’ wish lists.”

The model’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine uses a new calibration to deliver 200PS – twice the power offered by its Fiesta XR2 predecessor 20 years ago – and 290Nm of torque, with an additional 15PS available for up to 20 seconds using overboost.

A 4.06 ratio final drive – shortened from 3.82 in the Fiesta ST – further enhances in-gear acceleration.  The Fiesta ST200 utilises upgraded Fiesta ST suspension and Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) settings to improve ride quality and driving dynamics.

A rear twist-beam with 27 per cent more roll-stiffness and a front anti-roll bar increased to 21mm from 19mm diameter support revised damper specifications for better impact absorption. Like the Fiesta ST, the ST200 sits 15mm closer to the road than standard Fiesta models.

Unique storm grey body colour, 17in black machined alloys with red brake calipers and Recaro partial leather seats complete the Fiesta ST200’s specifications.

AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Golf GTi is a true game changer, the readers award it such !

• Iconic Volkswagen hot hatch voted Autocar readers’ favourite
• Golfalso_celebrates honestjohn.co.uk and DieselCar awards
• Updated Golf continues model’s 40-year success story

Volkswagen’s iconic Golf GTI has been named the Readers’ Champion in a huge online poll by influential automotive title Autocar. 

Autocar Editor Mark Tisshaw said: ”Earlier this year we came up with a list of 39 very special cars we believe have changed motoring for the better. Then we asked our readers to choose their favourite.

“The Volkswagen Golf GTI began life many years ago as a bit of a curiosity, but it soon created an entire car market movement – and has led it ever since because its creators remained focused on what mattered.

“Now, as ever, the Golf GTI is one of the true greats of our industry.”

Receiving the award on behalf of Volkswagen at the Autocar Awards this week was the brand’s Head of Chassis Tuning, Karsten Schebstat, who travelled from the company’s HQ in Wolfsburg, Germany, for the event.

The Golf’s success in the magazine readers’ poll comes hot on the heels of a brace of other award wins for Volkswagen’s most popular model.

Online title HonestJohn.co.uk also uses its readers as the basis for its awards and, just a few days ago, the Golf was named top of its Small Family Car class for 2017.

Managing Editor Dan Powell said: “HonestJohn.co.uk readers love the style and refinement of the latest Golf, with it coming out top in the small family car category.

“Upmarket and robust, the Golf remains true to Volkswagen’s family car values, with affordable running costs and lots of everyday comfort and practicality.

“With this in mind, it’s unsurprising to see it come out on top in the Honest John Awards 2017.”

But that’s not the end of the Golf’s recent run of award-winning form. In the latest DieselCar Top 50, celebrating the very best 50 new cars on sale in the UK today – the updated Golf was named ‘Best Medium Car’ and ‘Best Plug-in Hybrid’.

DieselCar editor Ian Robertson said: “A household name for good reason, it’s easy to underestimate the Golf until you spend time in one. One of the best all-rounders on sale, almost every detail has been perfected over its seven generations, and the facelifted 2017 model brings even more improvements to the winning formula.

“The interior is as classy as ever, but now has one of the best infotainment systems in the business. New technology such as pedestrian detection boosts safety, while Traffic Jam Assist can drive the car semi-autonomously.”

In 2016 a total of 72,762 new Golfs were sold in the UK confirming the model’s top spot among the five key pillars of the brand here alongside new Tiguan, Polo, Passat and new up!.

AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Aston Martin DB11 takes an award at this years ceremony.

Aston Martin has claimed top honours at this year’s prestigious Autocar Awards, taking home the ‘Game Changer’ award with its bold new addition to the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline, the DB11.

The award, which celebrates cars that bring new, higher standards to their classes, or defy convention in a way that brings benefit to buyers, cements the importance of DB11 to the brand’s Second Century Plan; the British marque’s ambitious challenge of launching seven key new products in the same number of years.

The DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and powered by a new 600-BHP in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. 

Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history and the Autocar judging panel recognised the company’s achievement with this award.

Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar said, “The DB11 is as comfortable as new Aston GT cars will get, but what’s just as important as how excellent it is, is what it’s made of: it is the first in a new-generation of aluminium platforms that is more advanced yet just as flexible as the previous architecture from a production perspective. There’s a new factory in Wales, too, which will supplement production at Aston’s base in Gaydon. While there’s exciting plans all round for the company, it’s the DB11 we’ll remember as the car that started its new era, earning it one of this year’s ‘Game Changer’ awards”.

Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President & Chief Executive Officer said, “We are honoured that Autocar recognises the strides that we have made with the Aston Martin DB11. This is just the start of our second century plan, but this model already begins to redefine who we are. We will continue to pursue the same levels of quality, performance and pioneering excellence as we have done with DB11 and we look forward to the launch of many more exciting new models in the coming years”.

Aston Martin DB11 pricing starts from £157,900 RRP in the UK.

AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - Volvo designer honoured for desirable & distinctive design

• Thomas Ingenlath honoured for “desirable and distinctive design” at 2017 Autocar Awards
• Ingenlath has spearheaded Volvo’s design revolution
• Volvo transformation includes new XC90, S90, V90 and recently unveiled new XC60 

Volvo Cars’ Senior Vice President of Design, Thomas Ingenlath, has won the ‘Design Hero’ award at the 2017 Autocar Awards.

Ingenlath has been at Volvo since 2012 and has led a team of designers that have revolutionised Volvo design – and in turn helped make Volvos among the most desirable premium cars on sale today. 

Modern Volvo styling takes traditional Scandinavian design cues – such as clean, simple lines and controlled surfaces – and combines them with classic proportions and striking details to create a distinctive range of premium cars. 

Add interiors that feature the finest natural materials, skilled craftsmanship and lots of natural light, and a Volvo is a luxurious, elegant, relaxing place in which to travel. 

The first Volvo production model to benefit from this bold new design language was the XC90 seven-seat SUV in 2014, which was closely followed by the S90 saloon, V90 estate and the recently launched XC60 mid-sized SUV. 

In order to highlight this new design direction at the Autocar Awards, Ingenlath personally chose a V90 D5 Inscription in Maple Brown, with blond/charcoal Nappa soft leather upholstery, walnut interior inlays, 20-inch eight-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof and dark-tinted windows. 

Mark Tisshaw, Autocar Editor, said: “Great design is what brings the car industry to a wider audience, and Thomas has turned a mainstream product into a fully-fledged luxury brand. 

“His five years in charge of design for Volvo has coincided with a reinvention of the company itself. Volvo’s products are now among the most desirable, distinctive and best looking on the market, and are true rivals to the established German luxury car makers.” 

Commenting on the award, Thomas Ingenlath said: “It is a great honour to receive this award from such an influential motoring title as Autocar. Volvo’s new design language is Scandinavian design at its best: form with function, and genuine beauty. That the hard work of everyone involved in designing Volvos has been recognised in such a way is a fantastic achievement.” 

AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a true game changer for the brand.

• Alfa Romeo Giulia named a ‘Game Changer’ at 2017 Autocar Awards
• Lauded for its ‘incredible performance and exciting handling’
• The Giulia is available to buy now from £29,550 OTR

The Alfa Romeo Giulia has been named a ‘Game Changer’ at the 2017 Autocar Awards as it has signalled ‘a complete transformation for one of the most loved names in motoring’.

Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, commented: “This is not only the most competitive Alfa Romeo saloon since the last Giulia was launched more than half a century ago but, crucially for anyone with Alfisti blood lurking in their veins, it’s the most likeable, too. With its incredible performance and exciting handling, the Giulia is everything you’d want an Alfa Romeo to be.” 

Developed by the best engineers, designers and stylists within FCA, the new Giulia embodies the core elements that have made Alfa Romeo one of the world's best-loved automotive brands: Distinctive Italian design; innovative powertrains, perfect weight distribution, unique technical solutions and the best weight-to-power ratio. 

Collecting the award at the event in the Silverstone Wing, Ashley Andrew, Managing Director FCA UK, remarked; “The Giulia has marked a turning point for Alfa Romeo, signalling a new era for the company where the driver is back at the heart of everything we do. Its engaging drive, five star NCAP rating, with highest ever recorded adult occupancy score, and impressive residual values has echoed across the brand, bolstering buyer confidence. The success of the Giulia has allowed us to expand the range with the introduction of the 280hp Veloce, bridging the gap between the standard Giulia and the Quadrifoglio. It also lays the ground for the introduction of Alfa Romeo’s first ever SUV- the Stelvio – due for launch later this year.” 

Autocar says that its ‘Game Changers’ are cars that ‘bring new, higher standards to their classes, or because they defy conventions to benefit buyers.’ Of the Giulia, Autocar says: “The Giulia is a riveting, idiosyncratic and striking entrant into a class usually defined by an understated brand of superiority.”