New Ford Focus ST

The evolution of the Focus ST goen on....... Ford will reveal all later this month at the Paris Motor Show with this new high-performance hot-hatch.

Packing a striking and appealing stance and a beefy 247bhp turbocharged engine, the ST will sit at the top of the all-new Focus range - that is until the new RS comes around.

The new model eatures a version of the all-new direct-injection 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, replacing the old 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and offers greater power, and more efficiency.

New owners can be promised a 0-60mph time in less than six seconds and a top speed of155mph. A six-speed manual box should emit just 180g/km of CO2.

A huge mesh grille at the front incorporates the muscular bodykit complete with low sills. At the back is a roof spoiler and low rear bumper, allowing twin exhausts to exit through its centre.

The new ST won’t be available as a three-door, however, an estate could join the five-door for the first time.

No Irish release date or prices has been announced as of yet.

Audi R8 RS - The Ultimate ?

Audi R8 RS could be a twin-turbo V10 thanks to MTM........

The truth about the ultimate R8 is emerging...This picture could be of an all-new twin-turbocharged V10 R8 model from German tuning company MTM.

MTM is rumoured to be working on a twin-turbocharged version of Audi's 5.2-litre V8 producing upwards of 800bhp. Expect 0-62mph in under three seconds and a top speed well in excess of 225mph.

The Stig reveals all

Ben Collins gives a v sign to the BBC in long interview with the Sunday Times....full report to follow....

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Bye Bye hot-hatch

The Honda Civic Type R will not go alone. Joining the hot-hatch in to the grave will be the Ford Focus ST . Like the British built Honda’s high revving 2.0-litre four pot, the Ford’s 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder does not meet Euro 5 emission standards, which will come into force for all new cars in next year.

According to Autocar UK, who broke the news, other engines that are facing the chop for the same reason includes Alfa’s tuneful 3.2-litre V6, the Mazda RX-8′s rotary engine and the VW Group’s 5.0-litre V10 TDI engine. This will affect models like the Alfa Brera/Spider and the VW Touareg.

Ford may decide to resurect the ST in the future with a modern direct injection four-cylinder Ecoboost engine.

DS3 R3 off to good start

The Citroën DS3 R3 made its competitive debut at the Ulster rally last weekend and claimed the two-wheel drive and Group R victory titles on the Irish roads ending the event in fifth place overall.

Drivers, Bouffier and Panseri steadily built up their pace over the course of the weekend, but the DS3 R3 dominated its class right from the beginning. The opening day on Friday allowed the Frenchman to get used to the car and the conditions, and he got quicker and quicker with every stage. After the 53 miles that made up the first leg, Bouffier returned to parc fermé in seventh overall. During the morning loop of Saturday’s stages, the Citroën DS3 R3 continued its progress by making up another place. The crew ended on a high by setting four blistering stage times and claiming fifth overall at the finish.

Frédéric Bertrand, in charge of the customer competition department at Citroën Racing, said: “This great debut result has underlined our belief in the ample capabilities of the DS3 R3. The car has been reliable and we’ve not encountered any problems at all throughout the rally. Of course it proved to be extremely competitive as well, so now we just need to refine the set-up to suit all the different types of conditions that we might encounter. Sealing a result like this on the Ulster Rally is an important moment, because this is a very specialised rally that is well-known for pushing cars to the limit. The whole team has done a very good job and the crew drove a perfect rally. We have also been able to rely on the performance of BFGoodrich tyres. Putting all these elements together has resulted in an excellent fifth place at the finish. Given that this was only our first time out, it’s extremely encouraging for the future.”

Stig to reveal all...

Some say he's a god, and that a portion of his autobiography is written in Morse Code. All we know is, he's annoyed his bosses at the BBC by seeking to publish his memoirs. According to UKPA and ESPN, the tame racing driver has written the tale of his life and wants to share it with the world. The only problem is doing so would violate the confidentiality agreement in the Stig's contract. The BBC is also arguing that revealing his identity would ruin Top Gear for the millions of fans around the globe.

There are only a privileged few who know the Stig's real identity, including Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. As the UKPA points out, each of those presenters has gone on to other money-making projects outside of the Top Gear band-wagon - leaving the poor Stig to take out his frustrations on the reasonably-priced car.