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Clarkson dishes out his favorite cars of this and last model year. Not only does the Focus RS make the list, but so does the Mustang GT.
You can read the full article HERE but I've typed out the list if you want a quick look.
Ford Focus RS
In the early 1990s I had a Ford Escort RS Cosworth, and that car would go into anyone’s list of all-time greats. It was a working-class hero, a blue-collar bruiser that could mix it with the bluebloods. A Ford that could keep up with, and then overtake, supercars that cost five or six times more.
After the Cossie was dropped, though, Ford rather lost its way. Well, with the new Focus RS, you know after about 100 yards that it has created something very special. Even at James May speeds, on a roundabout in Hounslow, this car feels cleverer than is normal. It feels like a Nissan GT-R.
That’s because it uses one of the most advanced four-wheel-drive systems fitted to any car at any price. The 2.3-litre engine is less amazing, but even so, 345bhp is enough to provide a meaty shove in the back when you accelerate and a growly 40-a-day rumble from under the bonnet.
In the early 1990s I had a Ford Escort RS Cosworth, and that car would go into anyone’s list of all-time greats. It was a working-class hero, a blue-collar bruiser that could mix it with the bluebloods. A Ford that could keep up with, and then overtake, supercars that cost five or six times more.
After the Cossie was dropped, though, Ford rather lost its way. Well, with the new Focus RS, you know after about 100 yards that it has created something very special. Even at James May speeds, on a roundabout in Hounslow, this car feels cleverer than is normal. It feels like a Nissan GT-R.
That’s because it uses one of the most advanced four-wheel-drive systems fitted to any car at any price. The 2.3-litre engine is less amazing, but even so, 345bhp is enough to provide a meaty shove in the back when you accelerate and a growly 40-a-day rumble from under the bonnet.
- Full review Gary, son of God, v the bean-counters
- Price at the time £31,000 (May 2016)
- Engine / Power 2261cc, 4 cylinders, turbocharged, petrol / 345bhp @ 6000rpm
- Acceleration / Top speed 0-62mph: 4.7sec / 165mph
- Clarkson’s rating ★★★★☆
- Clarkson’s verdict The half-price Nissan GT-R
Ford Mustang Fastback 5.0 V8 GT
Plainly, someone at Ford in Detroit was given an atlas for Christmas, because after 50 years or so of making the Ford Mustang, the company has decided to put the steering wheel on the correct side of the car and to sell it in the hitherto unknown Great Britainland.
Incredibly, this 410bhp, 155mph American icon costs less than I paid for a Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s billed as a sports car, but that’s like calling the Flying Scotsman a “sports train”. It just isn’t. It’s too heavy.
What it is, is a muscle car. And you sense that in the second yard. This is a machine that wants to turn its tyres into smoke and go round every corner sideways.
You’ve seen the film Bullitt. Well, it’s that.
Plainly, someone at Ford in Detroit was given an atlas for Christmas, because after 50 years or so of making the Ford Mustang, the company has decided to put the steering wheel on the correct side of the car and to sell it in the hitherto unknown Great Britainland.
Incredibly, this 410bhp, 155mph American icon costs less than I paid for a Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s billed as a sports car, but that’s like calling the Flying Scotsman a “sports train”. It just isn’t. It’s too heavy.
What it is, is a muscle car. And you sense that in the second yard. This is a machine that wants to turn its tyres into smoke and go round every corner sideways.
You’ve seen the film Bullitt. Well, it’s that.
- Full review Mixes iron, wood and little boy’s dreams
- Price at the time £34,995 (March 2016)
- Engine / Power 4951cc, V8 / 410bhp @ 6500rpm
- Acceleration / Top speed 0-62mph: 4.8sec / 155mph
- Clarkson’s rating ★★★★☆
- Clarkson’s verdict Time to believe the hype
- Mazda MX-5 Miata 2.0 Sport Recaro
- Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe
- Mercedes-AMG GT S
- Ford Focus RS
- Ford Mustang Fastback 5.0 V8 GT
- Volvo XC90 D5 AWD
- Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi Tech Line
- BMW M2
- Ferrari 488 GTB
- Lamborghini Aventador
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