USA - The Limited Edition Focus RS is limited to 1500 units for the USA and Canada only.

• Ford followed Focus RS enthusiast conversations on blogs, forums and Facebook groups, which helped inspire the new 2018 limited-edition Focus RS
• Limited-edition Focus RS to deliver enhanced driving experience with new standard mechanical limited-slip differential to improve performance, unique interior and exterior styling, and new color combinations
• 1,500 Focus RS vehicles for United States and Canada offer customers last chance to get their hands on this generation of Ford’s critically acclaimed performance hatchback

Ford Performance fans talking to each other and posting comments online about the Ford Focus RS hot hatch performance car have led to a special 1,500 unit limited-edition celebrating the end of run of this generation hot hatch. 

Passion from the enthusiast community led Ford to introduce an exclusive new version of its critically acclaimed Focus RS for North America. Ford was listening.The new 2018 Focus RS limited-edition hot hatch adds a few commonly requested features that unique interior and exterior styling, and a new mechanical limited-slip differential.

Available in new Race Red or signature Nitrous Blue body color – both featuring striking new gloss black roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also features gloss black finish, with blue RS logos on the side wings. Now standard are 19-inch premium painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps.

From the cockpit, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge surround are wrapped in carbon fiber skin, while equipment from the RS2 Package is standard, offering black leather-trimmed RECARO® seats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system.

To really excite driving enthusiasts, the global Ford Performance team developed a standard mechanical Quaife® limited-slip differential for the front axle that further improves Focus RS performance. This limited-edition Focus RS will more easily carry speed through a corner on the track, and allow for maximum acceleration on the way out.

“To satisfy strong demand for the ever-popular Focus RS, I’m very excited that we’re bringing this limited-edition vehicle to North America,” said Henry Ford, Ford Performance marketing manager. “We have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, speaking to owners’ club members, reading comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, and even studying various forum Photoshop renderings.”

A tight grip on performance

By controlling the torque delivered to each front wheel, the Quaife limited-slip differential enables 2018 Focus RS drivers to fully tap the 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine’s 350 horsepower. The limited-slip differential limits engine torque delivered to a particular front wheel that has reduced traction on the road surface, redistributing torque to the wheel with more traction to reduce differences in wheel spin that can hamper acceleration and stability.

“Our new limited-edition Focus RS represents accessible performance at its finest,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Improving on the thrilling driving dynamics of the Focus RS is no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine.”

The new system seamlessly integrates with standard Focus RS driving technologies, including:

• Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, which varies front-to-rear torque distribution to suit a given driving situation – monitoring inputs from vehicle sensors 100 times per second and sending an average of 70 percent of drive torque to the rear axle
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring, which uses electronically controlled clutch packs on the rear axle to send 100 percent of an average 70 percent available torque to either rear wheel, and can switch drive from one side to the other in as little as 0.06 second – or about the time it takes a humming bird to flap its wings 4 times.
• Torque Vectoring Control, which automatically applies small amounts of brake force to limit wheel spin at the front axle, further enhancing the tractive force available
• Focus RS Drive Modes, which include Ford-first drift mode for controlled oversteer drifts under circuit conditions, and launch control for ultimate performance off the start line and 4.7-second 0‑62 mph acceleration

Coming to a track near you

Only one thousand limited-edition 2018 Focus RS performance cars will be available in the United States and 500 in Canada, with deliveries beginning in late 2017, marking the last opportunity to order the current generation Focus RS in North America.

The limited-edition Focus RS joins Ford’s iconic Ford Performance vehicle range in North America, alongside the recently launched Ford GT supercar, F-150 Raptor, and much-loved Shelby GT350 Mustang, Focus ST and Fiesta ST.

Note: Vehicle horsepower ratings achieved with 93-octane fuel.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Suzuki makes it three with a price point win for the 6th time for the Swift Sport.

• Three-door Swift Sport wins ‘Best Buy’ hot hatch for less than £15,000 for the sixth consecutive year.
• Achieves 45.2mpg in ‘True MPG’ fuel economy test – more economical than official EC combined figure.

Suzuki celebrated again at the 2017 What Car? Magazine awards in London last night with the Swift Sport awarded a price point win for the sixth year in a row. The performance flagship of the Swift range was comprehensively judged by the editorial team and the final vote resulted in the three door model yet again receiving the ‘Best Buy Hot hatch for less than £15,000’.

First introduced in January 2012 and with more than 6,000 sold in the UK, the Swift Sport has a high standard specification that includes satellite navigation, DAB radio, USB connection and auto air conditioning.

Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car? comments: “The Suzuki Swift Sport is a reminder of the way hot hatches used to be – and it’s none the worse for that. Whereas all of its rivals now have turbocharged engines that pull strongly from low revs, the Sport uses a naturally aspirated 1.6 that’s most rewarding when you thrash it. True, it’s ultimately not that fast, but this just means you can use every ounce of the car’s performance without having to fear for your driving licence.

"The Sport also feels light on its feet and, thanks to its diminutive size, you can push it hard even on narrow country roads without feeling like you have to breathe in when something comes the other way. Then there’s the car’s sensible side. Suzuki was runner-up in our most recent reliability survey, so the Swift Sport should prove dependable, and it returned a very respectable 45.2mpg in its real-world True MPG fuel economy test. Although we’d opt for the cheaper three-door model to keep the price as low as possible, a five-door version is available if you decide you need better access to the rear seats.”

Swift Sport is available in a choice of four standard metallic paint finishes and is also  equipped with seven airbags, cruise control, High Intensity Discharge headlamps, rear privacy glass and 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to satellite navigation and DAB radio, the Sport also has voice recognition, Bluetooth and music streaming compatibility.

2 million units, four decades and an Icon of motoring, that will be the Golf GTi.

• Volkswagen marks four decades of a genuine motoring icon  
• Record-breaking Golf GTI Clubsport S takes Nürburgring front-wheel drive crown
• GTI owners across the UK meet to celebrate their love of the ‘hot hatch’ legend

As 2016 winds to a close Volkswagen in the UK is looking back on 12 months of celebrations, records and record-breaking interest in one of the brand’s genuine automotive icons: the Golf GTI.

40 years ago a small group of German engineers, managers and, above all, motoring enthusiasts came together to create what was quickly to become a motoring phenomenon – the original Golf GTI.

Former Communications Director at Volkswagen, Anton Konrad, along with Hermann Hablitzl, head of Golf project development at the time; Herbert Schuster, a chassis expert who would later become a member of the board responsible for development; Jürgen Adler, a specialist in interior design; and Horst-Dieter Schwittlinsky from marketing were the originators of the GTI.

They were later joined by Gunther Kühl from motorsport and engineer Alfons Löwenberg as they crafted the GTI unofficially and, essentially, in secret.

Initially engineered as an enthusiast project, it soon became clear after the first Golf GTI hit showrooms in 1976 that the brand’s initial predictions of 5,000 sales might have been somewhat conservative.  Today – seven generations and more than two million sales later – the Golf GTI still engenders avid interest from enthusiast owners, and would-be owners, around the world.

The UK, long a hotbed for hot hatch appreciation, took the GTI to its automotive heart early and has remained true to this special Volkswagen for four decades.  Indeed when the Golf GTI Clubsport S project was announced earlier this year Volkswagen UK took the bold decision to ring-fence no fewer than 150 of the 400-run limited edition GTI celebration models for its Retailers here, making the UK the world’s single biggest market for the ‘ultimate’ Golf GTI.

It was a decision that was soon vindicated as the Clubsport S sold out to eager buyers nationwide even before its £33,995 RRP price tag was officially announced in August.  The Clubsport S is, currently, the ultimate expression of the GTI bloodline.  The front-wheel-drive car’s 2.0-litre TSI engine packs 310 PS, enabling a blistering 7m 47.19 s record lap time around the infamous ‘green hell’ of the gruelling Nürburgring Nordschleife and a top speed, where legal, of 164 mph.

Those who missed out on the Clubsport S here though might perhaps have been tempted by the brand’s GTI Clubsport Edition 40 – 1,000 of which were offered to UK drivers in 2016.  Powering this latest special edition in the GTI range is a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine that delivers 265 PS, with an additional ‘overboost’ function increasing the engine power to 290 PS for up to ten seconds under intense acceleration.

Priced from £30,875 (RRP OTR) the GTI Clubsport Edition 40 features a host of bespoke additions and enhancements to mark it out as a potential future classic and, like its extreme, track-honed cousin the Clubsport S, it also sold out within weeks of arriving in Retailer showrooms.

In the UK, a series of events has been held to celebrate the GTI’s enduring appeal.  Among the highlights, an eclectic mix of Volkswagen Golf GTIs from across the model’s remarkable 40-year history journeyed to Volkswagen UK’s headquarters in Milton Keynes on Saturday, 20 August, to attend a special ‘birthday celebration’ for the iconic hot hatch.

The unique event, organised in association with the UK’s largest online motoring forum – PistonHeads.com – saw the owners of 85 GTIs from across the years make the pilgrimage to the cars’ spiritual home in Britain – the headquarters of Volkswagen UK in Milton Keynes.

Internationally, the 35th Wörthersee Meet in Austria saw tens of thousands of GTI fans travel to the picturesque Reifnitz on the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee for a gigantic party to celebrate the 40^th birthday of the cult hot hatch.  Volkswagen took all seven generations of the Golf GTI along, as well as the Clubsport and Clubsport S for Volkswagen enthusiasts to admire.

While Volkswagen’s Golf Gran Turismo Injection has evolved significantly from its earliest iteration – the 0-62 mph acceleration time of the original 1976 car, at 9.2 seconds, is eclipsed significantly by the Clubsport S’s 5.8 seconds for instance – the sporting ethos and commitment to everyday driving fun remains true to that of the original.  

With a new Golf GTI due to debut in 2017 boasting more power, enhanced technology, refreshed styling and more equipment than ever before the future looks bright, too, for one of Volkswagen’s true icons. 

What Car has announced the full run down of its cars of the year, with our choices announced too.

What Car? has revealed the full list of contenders for the coveted Car of the Year Awards as the annual celebration of the very best in automotive draws ever closer.

A What Car? Award win is amongst the most sought-after accolades in the car industry. What Car? tests each car back-to-back with key rivals to ensure that only cars able to deliver exceptional quality are shortlisted.

Covering 15 separate categories, the awards range from the best city runabouts to luxurious executive and performance cars. The overall Car of the Year will go to a newcomer that’s raised the benchmark sufficiently to beat not only the established competition across all categories, but all the other new metal from the past 12 months.

British-built models feature strongly, with 16 making the list as the UK automotive industry continues to produce exceptional cars. Hailing from Nissan’s Sunderland factory, the Nissan Qashqai (Small SUV) and Leaf (Electric Car) are both nominated.

Vauxhall’s British-built models have also made the list, as the latest Vauxhall Astra and Astra Sports Tourer compete for Family Car and Estate honours respectively.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “The automotive industry has excelled in the UK over recent years and that is evident in the list of nominees, in which many British-built cars have taken the market by storm and continue to do so. 

“As the industry goes from strength to strength, so have the What Car? Awards; it’s a real fixture of the automotive calendar and an exhilarating period for us as we begin to build up to awards night, starting with announcing the excellent 2017 contenders.

“Our panel of experts has a tough job ahead as it selects the stand-out car in each category and then the overall What Car? Car of the Year for 2017, which has to be extraordinary.”

The What Car? Awards set the highest standards for the automotive industry, and awards are only given to cars that truly excel in their class, and only the best of these will be named What Car? Car of the Year 2017. Last year’s overall winner was the Audi A4.

Elsewhere, the Reader Award will be one of the most hotly-contested prizes on the night. Voted for by What Car? readers, the award gets the public’s view on the most anticipated cars being brought to market over the next 12 months.

The What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2017 takes place on January 11 2017 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

For more information, please visit: HERE

*16 British-built cars
Aston Martin DB11
Bentley Bentayga
Honda Civic
Jaguar F-Pace
Land Rover Discovery Sport
McLaren 540C
McLaren 570GT
Mini Clubman
Mini 5dr
Nissan Leaf
Nissan Qashqai
Range Rover
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

WHAT CAR? CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2017 LONG LIST:

City
Hyundai i10
Skoda Citigo
Suzuki Celerio TMW CHOICE
Volkswagen Up

Small Car
Citroën C3 TMW CHOICE
Dacia Sandero
Ford Ka+
Mini 5dr
Nissan Micra
Renault Clio
Skoda Fabia
Suzuki Baleno

Family Car
Audi A3 Sportback
Honda Civic
Hyundai Ioniq
Nissan Pulsar
Renault Mégane TMW CHOICE
Seat Leon
Skoda Octavia
Toyota Prius
Vauxhall Astra

Small SUV
Audi Q2
BMW X1
Kia Niro
Nissan Qashqai
Peugeot 3008 TMW CHOICE
Seat Ateca
Suzuki Ignis
Suzuki Vitara TMW CHOICE
Toyota C-HR
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large SUV
Ford Edge
Ford Kuga
Jaguar F-Pace
Land Rover Discovery Sport TMW CHOICE
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Skoda Kodiaq

Luxury SUV
Audi Q7
Bentley Bentayga TMW CHOICE
Porsche Macan
Range Rover
Tesla Model X
Volvo XC90

MPV
Citroën C3 Picasso
Citroën Grand C4 Picasso TMW CHOICE
Ford Galaxy
Renault Scénic
Renault Grand Scénic
Volkswagen Touran
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

Estate
Audi A4 Allroad
Skoda Fabia Estate
Skoda Superb Estate
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
Mini Clubman
Renault Mégane Sport Tourer
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer
Volvo V90 TMW CHOICE

Hot Hatch
Audi S3
BMW 140i
Ford Fiesta ST
Ford Focus RS TMW CHOICE
Renault Mégane Renaultsport 275 S
Suzuki Swift Sport

Convertible
Audi A3 Cabriolet
Audi TT Roadster
BMW 4 Series Convertible
Fiat 124 Spider TMW CHOICE
Mazda MX-5
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet
Rolls-Royce Dawn

Coupé
Audi A5
Audi TT
Aston Martin DB11 TMW CHOICE
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé

Sports Car
Audi R8
Audi R8 Spyder
Audi TT RS
BMW M2
Ferrari 488 GTB
McLaren 540C TMW CHOICE
McLaren 570GT TMW CHOICE
Porsche Cayman
Porsche Boxster
Porsche 911

Electric Car
BMW i3
Hyundai Ioniq
Nissan Leaf
Renault Zoe
Tesla Model S TMW CHOICE
Tesla Model X TMW CHOICE
Volkswagen e-Golf

Executive Car
Alfa Romeo Giulia TMW CHOICE
Audi A3 Saloon
Audi A4
Mazda 6
Skoda Superb

Luxury Car
BMW 5 Series
BMW 7 Series
Porsche Panamera
Maserati Levante
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Rolls-Royce Ghost TMW CHOICE
Volvo S90 TMW CHOICE

SCOTTISH COTY - Ford takes two awards with the Focus RS and Mustang both winners at this years event.

• Ford Focus RS takes Hot Hatch of the year
• Iconic Ford Mustang wins Drop Top of the year

This year’s Ford Performance newcomers, the Focus RS and Mustang, were voted best Hot Hatch and Drop Top at the 2016 Scottish Car of the Year.

The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers’ Hot Hatch of the year, the Ford Focus RS, pioneers All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring, plus selectable drive modes including the industry first “Drift-mode”.

Over 2,000 Focus RS hot hatches have been delivered in the UK this year – 350 of those in Scotland. Focus RS is powered by a specially engineered version of Ford’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering 350PS and sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.7sec to make it the fastest accelerating RS ever.

Alisdair Suttie, ASMW secretary, said: “Whether it’s off the line, through the gears or round corners, the Focus RS is simply the best hot hatch of the year, and perhaps the best ever. It couldn’t deserve this award more.”

New Ford Mustang, the UK’s best-selling high performance car within six months of going on sale in January, is Scottish Drop Top of the year. The iconic American muscle car comes with a 5.0-litre V8 engine, or a 2.3-litre EcoBoost, and is available alongside the RS from 75 UK FordStore dealerships.

Stephen Park, ASMW president, said: “No other car launched this year delivers such a sense of occasion for the money as Ford’s Mustang. Choosing a Convertible with the mighty V8 engine delivers sensory overload. This is a thrilling muscle car in every respect and one which should prove to be a sound investment with strong demand equalling strong residuals.”

Danny Bell, Ford Britain’s district manager for Scotland, said:  “Ford’s excellent new performance range has the power and capability to make the most of this region’s flowing road routes. Scottish dealers are benefitting as a result and will be further buoyed by the Association’s endorsement.”

The Focus RS is available from £31,250, and the Ford Mustang is available from £31,745 for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost and £35,745 for the 5.0-litre V8 GT.

Ford launchest the new Fiesta ST as a 5 door model to compliment the 3 door one currently available.

• New Fiesta ST five door to be available for the first time
• Fiesta ST five door enhances practicality of class-leading hot hatchback while retaining award-winning performance and driving dynamics

The Ford Fiesta ST compact performance hatchback is for the first time available to order in Europe in five-door bodystyle alongside the three-door model.

The Fiesta ST five door offers additional practicality with easier access to the rear seats for passengers and for parents with small children, while retaining the performance and class-leading driving dynamics that earned the Fiesta ST more than 20 awards from around the globe during its first year on sale.

The model’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine delivers 182PS and 240Nm of torque, enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 6.9 seconds alongside 46.3mpg fuel efficiency and 141g/km CO₂ emissions.* A Ford Performance-tuned chassis features optimised suspension, steering and brakes, supported by enhanced Torque Vectoring Control – which applies brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering to improve road holding and reduce understeer without affecting speed – and three-mode Electronic Stability Control.

“Ford has now sold more than 38,000 Fiesta STs in Europe since we introduced the acclaimed hot hatchback in 2013, and growing numbers of customers have been asking us for a five-door version,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “The Fiesta ST with five doors makes an affordable Ford Performance driving experience accessible to an even greater number of customers.”

Priced from £19,495 in the UK on ST-2 and ST-3 series from October, Ford predicts the Fiesta ST five door will account for 25 per cent of Fiesta ST sales in Europe. Exclusive Fiesta ST styling includes 17-inch alloy wheels, unique grille, dynamic headlight design, and dramatic rear diffuser element for the exterior. Five available colour options include Race Red and Spirit Blue. Recaro seats and unique ST detailing feature for the interior.

Ford earlier this year also revealed the new 200 PS Fiesta ST200 – available in three-door bodystyle only – with 6.7 second 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration

AUTO EXPRESS AWARDS - The SEAT Ateca takes best crossover title along with four other SEAT Models taking awards.

• SEAT’s first SUV nets Best Crossover honour on its first appearance in the Auto Express New Car Awards and two months before it even hits UK showrooms
• Ateca leads SEAT’s strength-in-depth showing, with four other models in its range receiving Commended titles
• Judges acclaim the Ateca for its styling, performance, practicality and value-for-money
• Auto Express also delivers a five-star verdict in its first Ateca UK road test

The new SEAT Ateca has opened its honours account in style, claiming the Best Crossover title on its first appearance in the Auto Express New Car Awards.

SEAT’s first SUV signalled its quality by seeing off competition that included some of the best sellers in what has become a pivotal part of the market, including the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and  Renault Kadjar. 

The result puts down a valuable marker for the Ateca’s all-round appeal, as the model progresses towards its hotly anticipated arrival in UK showrooms in September.

Its success was part of a formidable across-the-board performance by SEAT in this year’s awards, with four other models posting Commended results too: Leon (previously a three-time winner) in the Compact Family Car class, Leon ST in Estate, Leon CUPRA 290 (another returning title-holder) for Hot Hatch and the new Alhambra for MPV.

Commenting on the Ateca’s success, Auto Express Editor Graham Hope said: “The Ateca has made a dramatic entry into the crossover class and is a particularly impressive first effort from SEAT. It offers everything that is great about the Leon in a superb-looking new package, and blends excellent performance with decent practicality and strong value for money. It’s a compelling new crossover option for buyers.”

The judges’ opinions follow hot on the heels of a top five-star rating for the Ateca in the first UK road test in the latest issue of the same magazine. In its detailed scrutiny of the 2.0 TDI 150 XCELLENCE 4Drive model, the magazine declared it “follows in the footsteps of the Leon and goes straight to the top of the class.”

Richard Harrison, SEAT UK Director, said: “This is a fantastic result for Ateca and adds to the great momentum that it’s developing as it nears showroom launch, including the 13,000 members of the British public who have already stated their interest in buying one. The award is testament to what an enticing all-round package Ateca is, as a desirable, high-tech, stylish and well-built SUV it is, in this ever burgeoning part of the market.”