Friday 27th September 2019

Hot hatches cooling off | Pic of the Week

Our four car Focus ST group test is imminent - here's the desktop preview!

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You may have noticed that summer seems to have well and truly ended over the past ten days or so, a fact we were reminded of during a recent trip to the Peak District. The shoot was arranged back in the heady days of August, with the new Ford Focus ST, Hyundai i30 N, VW Golf GTI TCR and our long-term Renault Sport Megane 300 Trophy along for the ride. Four hot hatches, we're sure you'll agree, that couldn't be better suited to exploring the twisty sun-scorched roads of the north.

Mother Nature had other ideas, though, and the downpour that greeted us and poor photographer Sim dispelled any hopes of one final balmy day out of the office before the seasons changed. Still, while we turned our heated seats up a notch he persevered, coming away with some fantastic shots - including this one of the convoy traversing Winnats Pass.

You'll be able to read our conclusions from the sodden showdown this weekend, but for now you can enjoy our efforts in Pic of the Week form. As the weather continues to turn and the nights draw in, it'll hopefully serve as a reminder that there's plenty of motoring fun still to be had.

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Photo: Sim Mainey

[Turbobanana]

Even as an amateur snapper, I'm annoyed that you didn't all switch your wipers off and allow them to park. Looks like a hastily-grabbed shot, which it may have been - given the weather. Shame, as the composition's good and the landscape epic.

[Henrico]

But you realise they're moving right?

[SweptVolume]

I recognise that road. Just coming out of Castleton, right?

Utterly fabulous around there, though both times I've been has been in a convertible, so you get the full panorama.

[Turbobanana]

Henrico said:

But you realise they're moving right?

If they are then they're very close together and presumably moving very slowly to help Sim get them sharp and not producing much spray. It's possible, and would explain the wipers, but I can't see why you'd need them in motion for this kind of landscape shot.

[E65Ross]

SweptVolume said:

I recognise that road. Just coming out of Castleton, right?

Utterly fabulous around there, though both times I've been has been in a convertible, so you get the full panorama.

Yes, it says it in the article, it's Winnats Pass. I cycled up it a few times in May (as well as drove it), it's a lovely area!

[Dafuq]

Yup, recognised the location before I even read the article, but then I was born in Castleton so I should really. 😁

[FaNtheMaN26]

No type R?

[greenarrow]

FaNtheMaN26 said:

No type R?

..and no Golf R...

Bit of a strange omission seeing as every other comparison test I've seen so far has matched Civic against Focus. They are certainly rivals on price now.

[DoubleD]

Cor, everyone is in a real miserable mood tonight!

[mac96]

Turbobanana said:

Even as an amateur snapper, I'm annoyed that you didn't all switch your wipers off and allow them to park. Looks like a hastily-grabbed shot, which it may have been - given the weather. Shame, as the composition's good and the landscape epic.

I think the weather is a plus- gives a great brooding impression, and much more interesting colours than if it was sunny.

[Jim on the hill]

greenarrow said:

FaNtheMaN26 said:

No type R?

..and no Golf R...

Bit of a strange omission seeing as every other comparison test I've seen so far has matched Civic against Focus. They are certainly rivals on price now.

I would have thought the Golf R is a Focus RS rival in both price and performance?

[SidewaysSi]

Jim on the hill said:

greenarrow said:

FaNtheMaN26 said:

No type R?

..and no Golf R...

Bit of a strange omission seeing as every other comparison test I've seen so far has matched Civic against Focus. They are certainly rivals on price now.

I would have thought the Golf R is a Focus RS rival in both price and performance?

But price wise aren't Ford taking the piss with the latest ST?

[ToothbrushMan]

the R would then be the only one to have an advantage of extra driven wheels - i think the TCR golf was ok in the line up of FWDrivers.....

[Nickbrapp]

greenarrow said:

FaNtheMaN26 said:

No type R?

..and no Golf R...

Bit of a strange omission seeing as every other comparison test I've seen so far has matched Civic against Focus. They are certainly rivals on price now.

Golf R isn’t a rival to these, it’s the step up. A golf GTI rivals the focus ST and Megane

[nickfrog]

Nickbrapp said:

Golf R isn’t a rival to these, it’s the step up. A golf GTI rivals the focus ST and Megane

Or a step down, depending on your priorities.

[Jim on the hill]

nickfrog said:

Nickbrapp said:

Golf R isn’t a rival to these, it’s the step up. A golf GTI rivals the focus ST and Megane

Or a step down, depending on your priorities.

Yes. They are also all a step down compared to a transit depending on your priorities.

[Zetec-S]

SidewaysSi said:

Jim on the hill said:

greenarrow said:

FaNtheMaN26 said:

No type R?

..and no Golf R...

Bit of a strange omission seeing as every other comparison test I've seen so far has matched Civic against Focus. They are certainly rivals on price now.

I would have thought the Golf R is a Focus RS rival in both price and performance?

But price wise aren't Ford taking the piss with the latest ST?

Not really, it’s half the price of a Megane RS Trophy R

[Montybaber]

Left out the Civic which has consistently won these group tests since its launch because of divided opinion of its looks

I see

[nickfrog]

Jim on the hill said:

nickfrog said:

Nickbrapp said:

Golf R isn’t a rival to these, it’s the step up. A golf GTI rivals the focus ST and Megane

Or a step down, depending on your priorities.

Yes. They are also all a step down compared to a transit depending on your priorities.

That's very true I suppose. What I meant is that in the context of a track capable daily, the Megane will be quite a step up from the Golf, although the Golf remains a very good road car.