I don't know exactly why, but this headline from this weeks Autocar makes me happy.

I've always liked fast Fords. Never been a fan of fast VW's, or Audis (sorry Bob).

The Golf GTi has been the hot hatch bench mark on and off for years. The Golf R took it one stage further. Now Ford has trumped it. Good on you, Ford.

I don't want either though. I want Naf's Plus he's just put up for sale - my dream Coupe/ car

I'm the opposite. While I recognise the excellence of Fords and their racing heritage, I've never been in the J. Clarkson camp of Ford lovers. I always preferred Vauxhall in the comparisons, even though they were worse on paper

But then, I'm not a huge fan of Golf GTis either. Not sure why. Blandness maybe?

One exception is the Ford Focus ST (Asbo) which I must like because of my addiction to 5 cylinders.
I must also admit to liking the Puma 1.7.... I think the advert with Steve McQueen may have had something to do with it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2OV7Zz4VsM

Personally I'd love an RS - almost a natural, refined evolution from the old Cosworth line of cars but a bit more reliable....

II never got into the RS thing at all. When the RS Mk1 was around I was obsessed with Honda and the Jap thing that was taking off. So never really got into them. My favourite was this ... Nearly the same as the pic, I had a 1.5i Sport

Pic shows a GT

Thats' properly fugly

Yeah, I agree now - but back in 89 it was cool and unusual. Like the TVR wedge shapes

I'm slightly tempted by the current generation Focus RS. It sounds like a decent package, but if I'm honest, I don't like how it looks.

5dr looks more family car than sports car and it looked very underwhelming when I saw it in the metal at Geneva last year. Masses of dull black plastic and a bit meh overall.

When they're available to test drive I might pop in to see what all the fuss is about to see if it can win me over.

I just had a look at the Focus RS and ouch, it looks like it got drove through Demon Tweeks and was hastily fitted with all they had in stock...

Then looked at the Golf R and prefer its understated looks.

Though to be fair, that might be an age related thing oh and the fact I live in Essex and thanks to the Ford Privilege Club there will be lots of RSs about.

I agree 5dr just doesn't do it for me.
5dr is a bit grown up and boring for me.

Not really a VW fan but yes I do like Audi's, especially with "Proper" 4wd. I looked over the car that would compete with the Golf and Focus recently though, the RS3, and found it a bit, well... boring!

However if we are talking "Hot Hatches" then the new Civic looks the nuts.