Ford Focus ST v Vauxhall Astra VXR

Ford Focus ST v Vauxhall Astra VXR | evo TRACK BATTLE

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12 жыл бұрын

Dickie Meaden is at evo's test track, the Bedford autodrome to see which is the fastest hot hatch, Ford or Vauxhall? For more great car news and reviews, register for evo's newsletter here: www.evo.co.uk/reg PLUS...
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Пікірлер: 432

@future62 12 жыл бұрын

Man that Astra looks like a shit ton of fun

@Nakke144 8 жыл бұрын

Im a Ford guy, but i don't see why all the other Ford-guys are whining on here. Of course the VXR won, it's much more hardcore and has an LSD. The VXR should be compared to the likes of the Megane RS, and the Focus to the all-rounders in the hot hatch market, like the GTi. But it has to be said that the lack of grip on the Focus can be greatly improved with stickier tires and upgraded engine mounts.

@topsznaj3791 8 жыл бұрын

exactly !!!

@asifnoaman8978 2 жыл бұрын

@@meganjay30 same could be said with Jeremy Clarkson and the Vectra VXR, YIKES

@itsamemario333 10 жыл бұрын

I love my focus ST but that Astra is a beast. I also think that you have to use the ST with a different approach and technique. Maybe he should have driven the Focus first. I went from a 2013 rear wheel drive Camaro to my 2013 front wheel drive Focus ST and couldn't be happier. I got the Focus for the room and ease of access to the back seats for my 4 year old and I got the ST so I could still have my toy and it's a blast. Took me a while to get used to it and the way it handles. Also took me a while to get to a 5.9sec 0-60mph because the break in the clutch is different from what I'm used to. He needs more time with it. Lots of torque steer to on an aggressive acceleration but now I don't even notice it because I'm so used to the car and my habits are taking over.

@rockchen9976 3 жыл бұрын

I'm driving 2013 focus st, too! Can you drive it for big slide while cornering?

@Majki182 11 жыл бұрын

I was longing for an OPC model that oversteers and here it is!

@tomderdoktor2159 5 жыл бұрын

More torque..more power...better brakes...and a mechanical slip differential...the winner was clear before the test !a comparison would have been a ford focus rs. (305ps)

@fusion01wp 11 жыл бұрын

nice review, cheers Evo!

@rvind92g 11 жыл бұрын

Drove an ST today, I really like the gear and clutch combo along with the driving position.

@CagMito 11 жыл бұрын

I Love Vauxhall Astra VXR/Opel Astra OPC

@Willlysson 12 жыл бұрын

These comparisons are great!

@JamesAH1 8 жыл бұрын

It's simple, VXR beats ST, RS beats VXR All good hot hatches

@rushinize 7 жыл бұрын

James of course all wheel drive is gona beat fwd fact is the rs can't be compared to the vxr for this reason

@Payne.. 3 жыл бұрын

If the vxr was made with 4wd it would piss all over the RS

@johnstannard8366 Ай бұрын

Golf R will destroy both.

@johnny6476 10 жыл бұрын

Why do people keep talking about the astra only has 2 doors and the focus has 4? That doesn't make any difference the astra weighs more than the focus and still beat it end of.

@StephenButlerOne 5 жыл бұрын

Have you felt the with in them two doors. I live on a hill and have to reverse in my steet, my wife and my then 7-10 year old girl had to have someone to open the doors. As it's a 2 door there is alot of rigidity and strength in them doors. They feel like bank volt doors. Got rid of mine in November, for somthing the kids (and wife) could get out off. Cracking car to drive. Terrible internal electrics. Suffered from a grind loop issue from day one, Vx told me it was a design flaw, so a fix wouldn't fix it. A £4 inline passive noise 'risistor' fixe that. Also my driver door card, trh leather squeeked intermittently from about 6 moths old, "fixed" twice, didn't bother fixing it a 3rd time. Also the fuel tank needs baffels. Only car I've had where hen over half full when you stop it sounds like a dedlad person slams into the rear seats. Anther thing that I've only noticed with the gtc is how much diffent the drive feels between an empty tank and a full one. A thing over half full mad it seel like a boat. So I'd ony ever half fill it. Which pissed me off no end cos half a tank doesn't go far.

@schlumperdick 12 жыл бұрын

the vxr is unreal it drifts like a 3 in this

@xTruthxWithinx 11 жыл бұрын

I own a regular 12 Focus and love it. Both of these hatches are beautiful and I wish they had the Astra here stateside...

@121Ruskiy 12 жыл бұрын

That's some awesome driving footage

@Nemesis093781 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video.

@NoLie6 12 жыл бұрын

Current ASTRA and INSIGNIA models are sooo amazing (performance as well as the look). Great!

@mrdjc100 11 жыл бұрын

It's good for once to see an honest review for once

@Normanroberts 11 жыл бұрын

You are the master of sheer incompetence, sir!!

@roballman2881 3 жыл бұрын

always been a ford man,but ive got a 2013 astra vxr and its incredible,very quick and great to drive

@tan9640 10 жыл бұрын

Vxr all day

@anthonyshackleton6178 4 жыл бұрын

@Fiesta ST all ST's are 💩💩

@5ivetimes1 3 жыл бұрын

Having owned both, the ST is the better allrounder day to day, ST really lacks a diff though and that’s the big difference. ST has the better interior, VXR looks nicer and is a bit quicker and is a sharper drive until you fit a diff to the ST and then it’s a whole different beast. I’m just done with Vauxhall’s lack of reliability and terrible gearboxes. My Astra VXR kept popping out of gear at only 10k miles. Garbage.

@mikeh2006 3 жыл бұрын

These astra vxr's are nice and aging well. Seems reliability isn't bad either from what i've heard. May get one, in blue.

@aethrus 12 жыл бұрын

The astra REALLY doesn't look like a FWD car in those opening shots. Very well driven Mr. Meaden!

@dannieboy2105 12 жыл бұрын

I work at a Opel dealership in Germany, and I drove the Astra OPC (which is Astra VXR in Germany) just today and it is awesome!!!! Good Interior, in my opinion great looks, a good engine and dampers and a lovely sound!

@Payne.. 4 жыл бұрын

I got the Astra GTC 2.0 turbo and I'd still have it over the ST

@danieljordannicol9937 4 жыл бұрын

thats daft

@Payne.. 4 жыл бұрын

@@danieljordannicol9937 it looks better than the ST and I like the handling and acceleration so in my opinion it's not daft

@StephenButlerOne 5 жыл бұрын

The 255s on the gtc just cling on so much more than you d think they should. I now have a lean St FR and the difference in cornering traction is night and day.

@stevie007 4 жыл бұрын

VXR rules the day for me.💖💖💖💖💖💖

@tedtheturbot 12 жыл бұрын

nice bit of in car thx...could do with seeing a bit more of the steering wheel and the road at the same time to get a more feel for it

@1989rs500 10 жыл бұрын

Wow Fiesta ST did the track in 1:30.4s and Focus ST in 1:33.9, seems the wetness of tract carves out around 4-5 seconds off the dry time for Focus ST

@85gt 12 жыл бұрын

He looks quite handy to me! Not many people can drift a FWD like that, is not throttle is doing the work its driver skill.

@a2k088 12 жыл бұрын

that is the best fwd 'drifting' ive ever seen

@jonathangandy 12 жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see the M135i on an EVO track vid. Maybe up against the Megane RS?

@neildavies3762 4 жыл бұрын

Rather focus st on daily driver, I got family and dog, so estate at it is. Love it.

@JanMichaelFranklin 12 жыл бұрын

Just what I was thinking! That would be awesome! Buick's first hot hatch! The Buick versions usually make the transition with a slightly bettter looking package too!

@rafaelcalha 12 жыл бұрын

you are the voice of reason

@Harryissuperawesome 11 жыл бұрын

love the end bit with the lamborghini :P

@mpavl190 12 жыл бұрын

i love his reactions, you can see he really loves his job :) who wouldnt :)

@ScottaHemi440 12 жыл бұрын

we so need this as a Buick!!! also why don't we get the 2 door versions :(

@petaypark82 11 жыл бұрын

Ive just took one out today, tbh I preferred the new one. The clutches are 1200 to replace for the uprated rs one as I was running 300 bhp. Better spec and loads better on fuel.

@rextetron 12 жыл бұрын

Best fwd hatches at the moment seem to be Megane and Astra. Crazy good drifting, have to say.

@Beesechurgler 11 жыл бұрын

Nice to see the vxr win, the better car in every single way

@846524162 12 жыл бұрын

I don't know, I just visited the Ford salon yesterday and also from all the pics and tests, I have a feeling the steering wheel is too big. If I were serious buyer of ST, I would want slightly smaller wheel, but I quite like the design of it.

@jack91534 12 жыл бұрын

I've driven the Focus, the wheel really isn't that big, it's just positioned higher than the Vauxhalls in this video.

@sugarsaint 12 жыл бұрын

Stunning cars and event. Harry the best.

@themancuniancandidate2744 3 жыл бұрын

It's a shame so many people are badge snobs. I traded in a mint series 1 Boxster S for my VXR, and the VXR is better in just about every measurable way. Of course, it's 15 years younger, but it's faster, more agile, safer, better equipped, handles better, and uses less fuel. It just doesn't have a Porsche badge on the front (but it also doesn't have Porsche-sized repair bills). I'm not sure why people in the comments are comparing the VXR to the Focus RS; maybe the RS was cheaper in Europe, but here in Australia it was about $15k more than the VXR but only 0.2 of a second faster to 100kmh.

@scottsvxr 2 жыл бұрын

We all know why there's so much hate for the VXR brand now.....someone once said "better to be talked about than nobody talking at all"👌😅😂

@HIDDENxAGENDA 10 жыл бұрын

thanks for the spoiler in the top comments

@tan9640 10 жыл бұрын

The facelift focus st looks alot better than this especially the interior Hope they dont call the diesel version std tho lol

@sarahkingsnorth9890 7 жыл бұрын

thank you Tom Forrest.

@orbhot 11 жыл бұрын

What tire is the Astra running? It comes down to tires so often. The Goodyear F1 the Focus uses are not the best.

@Noukz37 12 жыл бұрын

Me thinks the EVO guys should provide us with a proper on-board camera. Behind the driver, facing forward while recording his driving as well, so we can see "live" what's going on. Thumbs up if you agree?

@shrewsnose1 12 жыл бұрын

Can you sit any closer to the steering wheel ?

@AlexOliver555 12 жыл бұрын

Whats with the large bonnet gap? Looks like it isn't closed properly.

@djrowley1972 11 жыл бұрын

I have always loved Ford's I've been lucky enough to drive the old and the new st inc both mk1 & mk2 focus rs (I work for a Ford dealer) we have had a couple of Vxr's px the rs would cream all over the vxr no doubt the 1 thing they all lack is awd my own car is a 03 impreza wrx ppp roughly about 265 bhp in damp conditions a 350 PHP rs couldn't keep up in this country the weather is usually crap fwd and big bhp & our climate doesn't work

@Jigsjigz 12 жыл бұрын

We only just got the 2 door 3months ago... maybe its on its way?

@TheMaciek51s 11 жыл бұрын

Vauxhall is a British automotive manufacturing company subsidiary of German Adam Opel AG, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of the American General Motors (GM).

@RazgrizNinjaEX8 11 жыл бұрын

And the more interesting interior.

@sfiifs458 12 жыл бұрын

i mean at this car tester driven golf r this ring and what time and wet or try

@SuperSimmy01 9 жыл бұрын

The vxr has great balance!

@Ocharles3148 12 жыл бұрын

The weather was really bad during the Ford's lap time

@genericdenizen1 11 жыл бұрын

Ha! There's a Lamborghini, broken down in the middle of the track and the hot hatch zips past. Too bad the Ford Focus ST lost to the Vauxhall/Opel. We don't have Vauxhall/Opel in the US. I just bought a 2013 Ford Focus ST (over the VW GTI) and it's a really fun car to drive with 252 HP and 270 Torque. Plus, I can even drive like a normal person when the wife and kids are in it.

@petaypark82 11 жыл бұрын

difficult conditions, but seemed more concerned with sliding the rear end around. Also Vauxhalls have always been renowned for crap gear boxes and this one didn't sound too much better after a bit of hammer. The ST is better to live with, but to be honest the fair comparison would be the RS as that is the same price bracket and targeted more at the hot hatch market. Cant wait to see if ford release the new RS to trounce the VXR like the old one did!

@hennessey861 12 жыл бұрын

I would rather have the astra, it has some class. The Megane is a chavs car

@Rossamus 11 жыл бұрын

MK 2's 5 cylinder sounds waaaaaaaay better than the 4-pot in this new one as well. It's worth every extra gulp of fuel it drinks!

@ghibli608 12 жыл бұрын

Guilletta? I know that the 75 America V6 or the First Gen GTV6 were awesome.

@ThePoptartMaster 11 жыл бұрын

I own a ST and i drive it in the track and i like it i think its one of the best front wheel drive car in the market out there

@jack91534 12 жыл бұрын

I with the Vauxhall (or the Renault Megane, for the matter) was available in the US, but I'm glad that I purchased the Ford. It was my best option.

@DragoG7 6 жыл бұрын

good review I just thing STs are more reliable then astras

@rbhoulton 12 жыл бұрын

Chris Harris didn't seem to think so... Search Ford Focus RS vs. Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup, Part 1/2 ...and the Megane RS265 is still the Nurburgring FWD record holder

@HENRYHOBBS1 12 жыл бұрын

respect to vauxhall for making a bonkers car that works to

@alexander1485 12 жыл бұрын

because its fun, and thats what its all about.

@sfiifs458 12 жыл бұрын

if anyone can tell me a lot considering driver's seat Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition Astra VXR Insignia VXR Thanks

@titleguy1 11 жыл бұрын

damn it, looks like vauxhalls should be sold in the U.S...

@schlumperdick 12 жыл бұрын

ok now the vxr vs the coop s??

@camaroman101 12 жыл бұрын

isnt that sound being pumped through the speakers?

@mr.rawhite 12 жыл бұрын

Great video… but forget these two hatches and nick the Lambo that was in the middle of the track at the end of the video and take that for a spin : )

@kaicos 12 жыл бұрын

this guy is good i like him

@keybraker 11 жыл бұрын

opel astra opc for ever

@killdumb 11 жыл бұрын

I currently have got a new st which i picked up a month ago with 6 miles on the clock i have covered just under 1000 miles (new car always out driving). I have to say i traded in my 57 plate focus st3 and i wish i didnt the old focus feels so much better and much nicer to drive the new one feels much bigger and although slightly more power you dont notice it :( wish i had kept my old st3

@sfiifs458 12 жыл бұрын

I do not know if it still deals with Manuel Reuter OPC Nurburgring rekorditega workouts and the man gives the best information on VXR OPC Insignia OPC with Manuel Reuter was probably having to go to Nurburgring But hopefully he travels with the Astra VXR OPC-

@846524162 12 жыл бұрын

- Focus has great sound, looks great but the steering wheel is massive! - I like this guy, nice and honest, no mocking around or being snob like some are - Since when the FWD cars drift like these?! :D

@Buttnut105 12 жыл бұрын

If they did an STI version I would too.

@1066gaz Жыл бұрын

The wide rear arches spoils the astra as its a problem getting it in the garage.

@jb1563700 11 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed it rather a lot... to each his own I guess. It's nice to see a reviewer who isn't a shouting jump-around.

@fusion01wp 11 жыл бұрын

personally I don't consider the amount of doors to make much of a difference when considering power output, suspension, steering etc etc etc!

@charlesholzy 12 жыл бұрын

and you forget the fact that these two cars here were only a few seconds off the Megane when the track was damp/greasy. and also that they only have 20-30hp less than the Megane. The new line of hot hatches are going to catch and outrun the older ones pretty soon. and when the new Focus RS comes out the older Megane will be completely destroyed.

@MrRohanThomas 6 жыл бұрын

charlesholzy Mégane is ugly looking compared to these 2

@Remkooo. 11 жыл бұрын

Astra OPC is my dream car. I got a new 2012 astra gtc 2.0 cdti 165 hp because of the long distances i drive. If not then i would have baught me a OPC:D but ofcorse im not allowed to complain because this car also drives really really really good! Soon i will put a video of my car on youtube:)

@derbigpr500 12 жыл бұрын

Actually, you're wrong. Megane RS is not a hardcore track car. Its got all the luxuries focus or astra have, and its in fact very comfortable and refined, more than some normal hatchbacks. New Megane is not like the old R26R. Its all around excellent car and won pretty much every single comparison ever conducted, even here on Evo.

@Zjories92 12 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'm not arguing about that but in terms of speed it shouldn't make any difference since both have about the same kind of horsepower. The LSD on the Astra makes the difference in lap time. And what about a m3 saloon (4 door)? Definitely more practical than the 2 door coupe if you ask me.

@dimos47ki7 11 жыл бұрын

looks is a matter of personal taste so i can't argue to that. but don't expect from the VXR to burn less than the renault if you go at the same pace. i never take for serious the official consumption numbers that companies announce. they are always WAAAY out from reality.

@Doktorfailgaming 11 жыл бұрын

The old ST has less HP and less Torque than the new one, while being quite a gas guzzler compared to the 2l Ecoboost Engine. So what makes it better?

@sfiifs458 12 жыл бұрын

WAS THIS SAME RING BATTLE MEGAN 265 VS SUBARU BZR DRY TRACK MEGAN 1.28 AND SUBARU 1.33 DRY DRACK BUT DIFFERENT DRIVER

@blackflagpirate3444 7 жыл бұрын

The VXR is defiantly better on and off paper.Even the old RS just wins a drag race against the GTC VXR ;)

@Tenbegdoh 11 жыл бұрын

I drive a 15 year old 4 pot NA FWD Honda I bought for £2500 a bit over a year ago. My insurance is under £500 fully comp with 1 year's no claims (I'm 34), It's about as quick as these cars. I do wonder why people buy new, sometimes.

@MrAmalto 11 жыл бұрын

Wow... and here in the states everyone's basically declared the Focus ST the best hot hatch in terms of performance (excluding the Golf R). Makes me wish the Vauxhall Astra VXR were sold over here.

@mrdragancelan 12 жыл бұрын

I think the LSD in the Vauxhall was a major advantage in this race considering the greasy condition of the track.

@846524162 12 жыл бұрын

Opel se izgleda popravio na Astri, prijasna generacija nije bila bas nesto, ali ovaj novi model stvarno ima potenciala, a Focus je pao u razvoju, izgleda da imaju neke pametnije stvari u Fordu nego napravit dobar ST. Losa strana Astre je izgled (barem meni, nije bi bas legla) i mjenjac, a ostalo bas super, iznenadjenje od Opela.

@stanthemafia 9 жыл бұрын

Still Donno what to get.. But I'm edging towards the ST

@tomforrest7814 8 жыл бұрын

+Larry Adjei are you mad?

@stanthemafia 8 жыл бұрын

+Tom Forrest are YOU mad ?

@tomforrest7814 8 жыл бұрын

lol, Can i edge you towards the VXR Astra seriously drive one the torque is insane and the pulling power is seriously next gen :-)

@sammaes 8 жыл бұрын

+Tom Forrest and the problems with the paint. Even the doors get stone chips!

@hedrick5286 11 жыл бұрын

Thats funny cuz everyone else cant say enough about how well the focus handles.

@IMRKJMSBITCH 11 жыл бұрын

True sliding is the slowest way around, but sliding a front drive car like that in the wet shows how well balanced both of these cars are.....plus it's just plane Bad Ass!

@sfiifs458 12 жыл бұрын

DOES GOLF R DRIVE THIS TRACK AND WHAT TIME