Ben Barry | Hot hatch | translate:/Global/UserRating: 3

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Reviews (9)

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Used cars: how to buy a second-hand Ford Focus ST (2006-2010)

3.5

Ben Barry, 20 March 2012 09:00

When the Focus ST launched back in 2006, it served up something genuinely different in the hot-hatch segment. Yes, there's that unique 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine, endowing the ST with a beautiful, Ur Quattro-like warble and bags of easy torque. But it's more than that: the whole feel of the Focus ST – while undoubtedly sporty and great to drive ...

Used cars: how to buy a second-hand Honda Civic Type R (2007-2010)

3.5

Ben Barry, 20 March 2012 09:00

If you're looking for an all-round hot hatch, the Civic Type R isn't for you: it's an all-or-nothing hot hatch. The ride is hard and spikey, the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre 16-valver is low on torque and, really, it doesn't do the daily drive stuff anywhere near as completely as a Golf GTI or Focus ST. But work the Type R ...

Seat Leon Cupra R (2010) CAR video review

Ben Barry, 13 July 2010 10:12

Seat's Leon has long spawned some suitably feisty variants, and CAR Online was recently invited to Rockingham Race Circuit to drive the latest and hottest to date: the Cupra R. With 261bhp, a 0-62mph time of 6.2sec and a 155mph top speed, it's no slouch, and, as road test editor Ben Barry discovered, it makes for an interesting alternative to ...

Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup (2009) CAR review

3.5

Ben Barry, 21 October 2009 09:37

It’s been a big year for hot hatches, with the Golf GTI, Focus RS and Scirocco R fighting it out to name but three. Renault’s last-gen Megane R26R is still a match for them all despite its age, and now the French hot hatch expert is piling on the pressure with this, the all-new Megane 250. What are the headline ...

Mazda 3 MPS (2009) hot hatch CAR review

Ben Barry, 04 September 2009 00:07

Not that long ago, Mazda’s 3 MPS was the hot hatch king – well, with 256bhp it was the most powerful front-wheel drive hatch you could buy, if not the best to drive or look at. Now it’s back with an aggressive restyle, plus a whopping extra…sorry, old habits and all that. No, it’s back with exactly the same 256bhp ...

Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 (2009) CAR review

Ben Barry, 01 May 2009 10:45

We’ve long been fans of the Clio 197 Cup here at CAR, so when Renault invited us to drive the new 200 Cup at Portugal’s Braga circuit, we were there before you could say Renault Megane Renaultsport F1 Team R26. It’s a facelift! What a lot of fuss over 3bhp... Actually, the revisions are more extensive than that. Sure, there’s ...

VW Golf GTI Mk6 (2009) new CAR review

Ben Barry, 07 April 2009 10:39

The old Mk5 GTI might have had its thunder stolen by the Focus RS, Megane R26R and perhaps even the Civic Type R, but it was still the best all-round hot hatch you could buy when it recently went off sale. And that – combined with the fact that the new Mk6 is essentially a very thoroughly facelifted Mk5 – ...

Ford Focus RS (2009) CAR test review

Ben Barry, 22 February 2009 11:01

At last! After months of studio shoots and passenger ride teases, CAR has finally driven the all-new Focus RS Mk2 – Ford’s 301bhp, front-wheel drive mega hatch – on some of the best mountain roads southern France has to offer. You’ll see how the new second-gen Focus RS stands up against the best hot hatches of all time (Renault Clio ...

Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

3.5

Ben Barry, 09 January 2009 00:01

CAR has been lucky enough to bag the first passenger ride in the new 2009 Ford Focus RS with Jost Capito, the man responsible for Ford Europe’s fastest-ever production car. We experienced the car at high speeds in an ideal mix of typically British conditions – dry, damp, even icy – to analyse how a front-wheel drive car with 301bhp ...

Honda Civic Type R LSD (2009) CAR review

Ben Barry, 30 December 2008 09:00

We like the Civic Type R here at CAR. Really like it. But there’s always been one thing that’s bothered us: the colour choices. Let me explain. The brilliant driver’s car that was the ’90s Integra Type R wore an iconic white colour scheme. When Honda farewelled the NSX with a Type R special edition? Also white. Even the last ...

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