Focus XR5 to be dethroned

[melbzetec]

Here's my tip to get you wondering.

Tomorrow at 10am, the Focus XR5 will no longer be Australia's No.1 Hot Hatch.

I can say no more. Except that God himself has declared a new No.1.

More explanation in 24 hours

(Stephen lights fuse and steps back)

[schmidty]

why not just now? geez

[eXtremist]

I know aye, talk about suspence!

I cant even access this website from work which makes it even more depressing :(

EDIT: If its not a Ford, I think its a Honda Civic Type R

[pertuan]

XR4 perhaps? Just a stab in the dark.

[Piotr]

Focus RS

[Teki04]

Considering the Focus RS doesn't even exist in Europe, I'm not holding my breath!

However, I do believe the new Hot Hatch King will be a:

1. Honda Civic Type-R
2. RenaultSport Megane 230 F1 R26 3 door

[eXtremist]

It wont be a Renault, and I'll put money on it.

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by eXtremist

It wont be a Renault, and I'll put money on it.

Care to elaborate on your reasons behind that?

It already killed quite a few Hot Hatches in Evo, Car and Autocar magazines... and so did the Civic Type R! Hence, depending on which one arrives here, I do believe the Civic or Megane could well be the new Hot Hatch King.


If your going to go on the basis that 'the **** is ugly' - then please re-think about what a Hot Hatch is all about.

[fordel]

1. Honda Civic Type-R

They are quite nice, saw a few civics in the UK last year

Would love one of them

Though I am going old grandpa style with my next car hehe

Chris

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by fordel

1. Honda Civic Type-R

They are quite nice, saw a few civics in the UK last year

Would love one of them

Though I am going old grandpa style with my next car hehe

Chris

Oh come on Chris! You've got a 4cylinder NA engine at the moment... just imagine how much fun it would be wringing the nuts off that VTEC engined TypeR! I for one can't wait to drive one...

[Marshy79]

I didnt think the XR5 was the king in the first place ...?

Id be looking Megane.... or the new Type R... same as the above have said.

[Ives]

Yeh, no disrespect... XR5T isnt Australia's no.1 hot hatch in the first place. Golf GTi dances around XR5T.

[Rev28K]

It can’t be the Civic R – The new K20 isn’t meant to be much of an improvement over the old one and the 3 door uses the Euro model’s simple Jazz rear suspension. Also unless it is a 4 door variant (sedan) then Honda have to bring in supplies and support for a unique 3 door model (Both of the old Integra Type R’s had a lot of common bits (panels, most glass, interior trim, etc) with the cooking models)

[Piotr]

Honda Civic no way. 148kw @ 7800 and 193nm @ 6500. That engine combo is against the market trend of low power pressure turbos.

0-100 in 6.5seconds is pretty much on par with the xr5t but the xr5t will be easier to launch with torque coming in at 1600rpm. Doesn't even come with IRS and uses a torsion beam.

[gregg_13]

XR4 unvieled at todays motorshow...

is this it............

[MISTA FIESTA]

Gotta Be the XR4 - More details - http://fordfiestaxr4.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=75

[melbzetec]

Civic Type R released at Motor show today. Available around June-July.

Not as powerful as competition, not as much torque. But in a report just published in Top Gear magazine, The Stig tests 29 hot hatches, and declares Civic Type R No. 1. Why? Balance poise, braking, responsiveness. Closest to a complete intergrated package rather than a shopping trolley with a bigger engine

It doesn't stack up on numbers....but then simply comparing numbers on paper has never been a good measure of a car.

And I'm not going to argue with The Stig

[RIPGMH]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

Civic Type R released at Motor show today. Available around June-July.

Not as powerful as competition, not as much torque. But in a report just published in Top Gear magazine, The Stig tests 29 hot hatches, and declares Civic Type R No. 1. Why? Balance poise, braking, responsiveness. Closest to a complete intergrated package rather than a shopping trolley with a bigger engine

It doesn't stack up on numbers....but then simply comparing numbers on paper has never been a good measure of a car.

And I'm not going to argue with The Stig

I think you are carrying "The Stig's" child

[Ives]

I dont think the Fiesta XR4 poses threat to Focus XR5T, they're just in different plain, different competitions. I also think each cars are targetted at different markets.

[Steffo]

When was the XR5 Turbo ever Australia's #1 hot-hatch? :

[Teki04]

I knew it would be one of the two!

Can anyone confirm if you can sit inside the XR4T and Civic TypeR? I'm assuming you can't.

Also, is the Megane 230 F1 R26 there?

I might go next week...

Also, Although Top Gear loved the Civic Type R... I think Car Magazine or Evo didn't rate it as high. The R26 F1 won a comparison against it. Again I'd have to get the issue from the newsagent.

Still, great work to Honda! Can't wait to get my hands on one and wring that engine's tits off!

Btw, Piotr... read the reviews and see the times - seems the XR5T isn't getting great performance times compared with 'other' hot hatches. In gear acceleration is good though!

[melbzetec]

Top Gear reckoned the Renault was great on the track, but unless you liked blood in your urine, the Renault would be an absolute kidney shaker on the street.

I'm pretty sure you can sit in the Civic R..not sure about XR4, but I was at the press morning and they may change it for the general public. I'm back down this afternoon. I'll check.

Mondeo also announced (end of year) and a convertible Focus to be sold in Oz

Highlights (after a VERY VERY quick look) Honda Civic Type R, Honda FCX hydrogen car (production 2008), the Australian designed Camaro on the Holden stand, Mondeo, Focus Convertible, Fiesta XR4, 40th Anniversary GT (Ford product range is looking good).

Of couse Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche, Aston etc etc are ALWAYS highlights!!!

[orsest170]

Originally Posted by Teki04

I knew it would be one of the two!

Also, Although Top Gear loved the Civic Type R... I think Car Magazine or Evo didn't rate it as high. The R26 F1 won a comparison against it. Again I'd have to get the issue from the newsagent.

Yep that's right, Car Magazine declared it the new hot hatch king, and Evo had it dead last in their comparison, which featured almost exactly the same group of cars. I didn't buy the magazines (too damn expensive) and virtually skipped straight to the verdict page, so I'm not entirely sure why they arrived at such different conclusions? I'm pretty sure the Golf Gti won the Evo comparison and the Megane was second, which interestingly enough is exactly the same result as Wheels' latest hot hatch comparo.

[melbzetec]

Yeh, but it was a good initial post to get the debate going!!!

[1lifeliveit]

Lets face it

All these comparison tests are subjective, even though some have a group of testers rather than just 1.

You can compare them only to a certain extent, with power and torque figures and braking distances. Beyond that its really all about FEELING, and u cant quantify how u FEEL in a car

I read somewhere that the R26 F1 wants to be a go-cart on roads. It obeys everything u throw at it. But is just not NICE. A bit like the RS. And mind you Topgear didnt rate the RS as the best either. But if we ask the question " who prefers an RS over other hot hatches?", Im sure almost every1 in this forum wud put their hands up

I think cars are like girls (or shud I just say partners). No one is THE BEST.
But yeah we cant just stay away from comparing :hihi:

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by orsest170

Yep that's right, Car Magazine declared it the new hot hatch king, and Evo had it dead last in their comparison, which featured almost exactly the same group of cars. I didn't buy the magazines (too damn expensive) and virtually skipped straight to the verdict page, so I'm not entirely sure why they arrived at such different conclusions? I'm pretty sure the Golf Gti won the Evo comparison and the Megane was second, which interestingly enough is exactly the same result as Wheels' latest hot hatch comparo.

That's really weird!

Ok, Car Magazine and BBC's Top Gear Magazine rated the Civic Type R as the new Hot Hatch king!

Top Gear Magazine March 2007;

1. Honda Civic Type R
2. VW Golf GTI Edition 30 (Top Gear actually rated the normal GTI as better)
3. Ford Focus ST
4. RenaultSport Megane 230 F1 Team R26
5. Vauxhall Astra VXR
6. Mazda MPS3
7. Seat Leon Cupra

Car Magazine March 2007;

1. Honda Civic Type R
2. VW Golf GTI Edition 30
3. Ford Focus ST
Others. Mazda MPS3, Vauxhall Astra VXR, Seat Leon Cupra, VW Golf R32, BMW 130i, Volvo C30, Audi S3, Mini Cooper S (Turbo), Renaultsport Clio 197 (Not in order)

Evo Magazine March 2007;

1. RenaultSport Megane 230 F1 Team R26
2. VW Golf GTI
=3. Ford Focus ST
=3. Vauxhall Astra VXR
5. Seat Leon FR
6. Honda Civic Type R

So, take all that data which every way you want!

I have all three magazines, at a grand total of $54.95 :

[Piotr]

Without having driven one the thing I don't like about the Type R is the engine. Sure its quick when revved but the MPS, ST, GTI etc would be nicer to live with having torque down low.

I must say apart from that seems to be a very good package.

[melbzetec]

Don't forget the iVTEC factor though Piotr. Torque at bottom and top


p.s You can't get up close to it at MMS. They have put it on a pedestal since press launch this morning

[Piotr]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

Don't forget the iVTEC factor though Piotr. Torque at bottom and top

Even with iVTEC you only gonna be having 190NM(in torque is flat everywhere) vs 320nm of the ST at lower. Thats a rather big difference, much like N/A petrol to a Diesel. From my drives of the Punto Sporting having that extra torque down low is fantastic is everyday driving.

During spirited driving I have no doubt that the Type-R is a better car than the ST but in everyday driving I would rather be in the ST, MPS, GTI etc.

Having said that which would I buy? Probably a Type-R outa those cars

[Teki04]

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/trackday...vic_typer.html

Check out the last part of the video - looks like a helluvalottafun!