Honda Civic Type R – Road Test As we look down the road towards an all-electric future, enthusiastic drivers might want to refocus on the Honda Civic Type R, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… It’s been with us in a few shapes for a quarter of a century and its enduring appeal is undoubtedly its very driver-focused design and engineering which has steadily matured, not really grown … [Read more...]
Ford Focus ST – Road Test
The latest Ford Focus ST 5 door manual hot family hatchback… …test driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Like every other manufacturer, Ford is struggling to fulfill orders in the current climate of confusion and shortage of components but it’s worth waiting to get your hands on the latest Focus ST. The market is changing for petrol-heads but the Focus ST still remains very … [Read more...]
Toyota GR Yaris – Road Test
TOYOTA GR YARIS, the WRC inspired hot-hatch piloted by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The World Rally Championship is all about clipping seconds off your competitors, but the Toyota GR Yaris took years off me. Built to permit the company to take part in motor-sport’s toughest rally series and winning in 2018, the GR Yaris priced from £31,120 is probably the closest a driver will … [Read more...]
Cupra Leon – Road Test
Hot to trot – the Cupra Leon Hatch 2.0TSi DSG 245 PS... ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Cupra is inviting you to join the Q-car queue with its latest Leon 2.0TSi. Based on the family-friendly SEAT Leon, the tuning arm’s version is a return to the hot-hatch era with a car which pushes out 245 PS, can exceed 150 mph and covers the indicative 0 – 62 mph mark in … [Read more...]
Abarth 595 Competizione – Road Test
The Abarth 595 Competizione, Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) tries his hand at driving this pocket rocket… Small Italian cars are always exciting, but sixty years after Carlo Abarth created his iconic pocket rocket the latest 595 Competizione version from Fiat lifts that to a new level. When he started tinkering with the diminutive baby Fiat a pint of beer in Britain cost the … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta ST-3 – Road Test
The latest Ford Fiesta ST-3, 3-door hot-hatch given an outing. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). More than any other car in modern times, the Ford Fiesta has defined British motoring and the high performance ST-series is the most desirable, particularly among motorsport fans. Consistently one of the top selling cars in the UK market, the Fiesta is the right size for thousands … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Classics No. 9 – Astra GTE (Mark 1)
In this series about important Vauxhall models through the decades, this time we are looking at the company's first official hot-hatch, the Astra Mk1 GTE, which spawned an almost continuous line of fast Astras, ending with the last-generation, 280 hp VXR. VAUXHALL ASTRA GTE MK. 1 The Astra GTE Mk. 1 marked Vauxhall’s first foray in to the relatively new ‘hot hatch’ segment, which had … [Read more...]
VW Polo GTi and up! GTi – First Impressions
Volkswagen’s new GTi twins. Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). Brits love their hot hatches and Volkswagen has turned back the clock to mark time for future success. Just over 40 years ago, the original Golf GTi was released to eager owners and over the decades that popularity has spread to create the Polo and up! GTi models, which are arguably more in tune with … [Read more...]
Hyundai i30N hot hatch – Road Test
The new Hyundai i30N rally-bred fast hatchback… Assessed on the road by Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). Some car-makers shout about their performance models which can quietly disappoint, yet Hyundai play it the other way with the i30N and have a normal looking five door mid-sized hatchback model which excites every time you take the wheel. The Korean brand has electrified the World … [Read more...]