I wonder will the new volvo be any match for the ST. Same engine but with more power I think.

Looks pretty good too.

Boot is toooo small! Interesting to see whether it has towing capacities over the 0kg on the fabia tho...

I thought that when I had a look at a demo but apparently the 2006 MY cars are doing away with a spare wheek which frees up loads more room. It was difficult to tell but It looked reasonably big minus the false floor.

The Ford website states that no tow bar is available for the ST hence no recommended towing weight. I wonder whether that's got something to do with the twin exhausts as apparently the boot floor has been modified to accomodate them??

What's this super Skoda????

Auto express can't seem to work out if this 'Super Skoda' is to replace the Furby and Octy (front cover) or the Octy & Superb (article inside the magazine). It's more likely to replace the Octy and Superb IMO. The Fabia is too many things to too many people to scrap for a larger replacement.

Jimmy: that's interesting. Presumably putting a space-saver bicycle wheel in instead? Wonder if it goes as fast with that

Jimmy: that's interesting. Presumably putting a space-saver bicycle wheel in instead? Wonder if it goes as fast with that

Apparently not. It's getting a can of foam stuf although you can have a space saver as a nc option - I think.

You can spec a full size spare wheel for the ST at a extra cost of £30 though.

Alex, did you say you've driven the ST? If so, what were your impressions?

Ah yes, is the foam can still legal tho with cars?

I have driven one now and i really really enjoyed it.

Compared to the Boxster it is far nicer to drive on normal roads,far more manageable and feels very very connected,not as connected as the Boxster obviously but it feels more useable.

It has so much more grip and body control compared to my Octy,OK the Octy has standard suspension with front strut braces and Neuspeed Anti-Roll Bars Front and Rear(25mm Front/28mm Rear).

It feels like it has so much more mechanical grip which gives loads of confidence when pushing on a bit.

Can't wait to drive it round the Nurburgring this year!!!!

The seats are very very supportive and comfortable,the steering wheel has a fairly thick rim.

Its very easy to get into a comfortable driving position.

The engine sounds very good,it pulls really hard,far harder than my Octy and it was popping on the over-run,great grin factor!!!

All in all i was very very impressed with it,so much so that i am 98% certain that i'll be ordering one very soon.

So will be selling the Boxster and the CBR as i'm economising at the moment due to house purchase and land purchase this year.

So any takers for either????????

I must say that I'm very tempted by one... I bet that 5 cylinder engine sounds great with a performance exhaust! Am test-driving soon but won't be looking to buy for a while... house purchase = me economising too!

Also thinking about R32 or A3 V6... will be test driving those too to see what's best!

I was watching Maxi test today (the first one of 2006) well worth keeping an eye out for.

They had the following on it;

Ford Focus ST

Lexus IS250 - absolutely beautiful

Ligier JS49

Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works

Opel Astra OPC

Renault M

The car looks great

how about the focus GT limited edition, if the ST look isnt for you

not much difference tho.

I have driven one now and i really really enjoyed it.

Compared to the Boxster it is far nicer to drive on normal roads' date='far more manageable and feels very very connected,not as connected as the Boxster obviously but it feels more useable.

It has so much more grip and body control compared to my Octy,OK the Octy has standard suspension with front strut braces and Neuspeed Anti-Roll Bars Front and Rear(25mm Front/28mm Rear).

It feels like it has so much more mechanical grip which gives loads of confidence when pushing on a bit.

Can't wait to drive it round the Nurburgring this year!!!!

The seats are very very supportive and comfortable,the steering wheel has a fairly thick rim.

Its very easy to get into a comfortable driving position.

The engine sounds very good,it pulls really hard,far harder than my Octy and it was popping on the over-run,great grin factor!!!

All in all i was very very impressed with it,so much so that i am 98% certain that i'll be ordering one very soon.

So will be selling the Boxster and the CBR as i'm economising at the moment due to house purchase and land purchase this year.

So any takers for either????????[/quote']

Reluctantly,this write up is making me take this car more seriously than I wanted to!

Sounds very interesting.Damn.

love that GT It's modern, yet retro.

how about the focus GT limited edition' date=' if the ST look isnt for you

not much difference tho.[/quote']

Is that edition really going into production?

Here's some more. Judging by the fact that the exhausts are on the same side of the car suggests it's NOT based on the ST but a lower spec Focus.

Still looks good though!

Before buying an ST, make sure you go try a VXR:cool:

Before buying an ST, make sure you go try a VXR:cool:

Is the OPC the European version of the VXR ?

Yes

saw one of these in the flesh today in the bright orange and it loooked absolutely amazing. could tell staright away it was an ST just such a shame it was on a lay by. the exhaust pipes looked just slightly to small but thats easily fixed

saw one of these in the flesh today in the bright orange and it loooked absolutely amazing. could tell staright away it was an ST just such a shame it was on a lay by. the exhaust pipes looked just slightly to small but thats easily fixed

I seen one before the Xmas, from a distance I thought it was nice but when I looked closer certain things made it look very cheap in my opinion eg some of the interior equipment, the ST badge on the side.