Focus ST Edition vs Civic Type R vs Cupra Leon 300: MEGA hatch track battle | Auto Express
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2022
- Ford, Honda and Cupra lock horns for a titanic hot hatch track battle. Which is fastest? Steve Sutcliffe finds out.
Read more at Auto Express:
2021 Ford Focus ST Edition review: aex.ae/3oSK3OG
2021 Honda Civic Type R review: aex.ae/2HfwbL3
2021 Cupra Leon 300 review: aex.ae/3y8f8AI
SUBSCRIBE for more new car reviews and Steve Sutcliffe track tests: aex.ae/2gY9ABE
Today's hot hatches are ridiculously potent, to the point where 'mega' hatch is a more suitable term. With masses of turbocharged grunt and super-focused chassis', all three cars here - the Ford Focus ST Edition, Honda Civic Type R and Cupra Leon 300 - have the ability to decimate a race track. The Focus ST has been given an extra lease of life in sharper Edition guise, while the Civic Type R and Cupra Leon 300 have proved themselves as two of the finest performance cars money can buy - full stop. But which takes the crown of fastest hot hatch around the Bedford Autodrome? Steve Sutcliffe is at the helm to find out.
More Auto Express videos:
Car reviews playlist: aex.ae/2gY4ViX
Track battle playlist: aex.ae/2U8yvdf
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Absolutely love my ST Edition, it never fails to put a smile on my face
Mines never out of sport mode😂need to take to to a track day!
@@tobyleader8303 exactly the same mate but also had a little blast in track mode but with ESC back on
@@PaulRankinYT might have to try that at some point!
I need to have the ST Edition! 😅 I have an ST3, but one day I have to get this car, it's different gravy!
I see Steve, I click. He's brilliant
Top of his game.THE go to motoring journalist.
I always wonder how much of the difference is down to the tyres, the Ford and the Honda where pretty close but the Cupra on different tyres was quite a bit slower.
A good set of tyres can be worth 15% lap time or more
i think if they would slap some Michelin PS4S's on the Cupra it would've been closer. I had Continentals on my Type-r and they were good but then changed to Michelin PS4S and it felt even better. So yeah tyres can make a big difference
The tyre may well make a difference, for me the PS4S are the go to choice on the Cupra 290 running stage 2, that said the new Cupra packs no more power and torque and weighs more than the Mk 3s in standard spec so I ain't surprised it's slower.
@@TollyBoy666 PS4S were dreadful on mine , AD08RS which people slated were like night and day . Even better in the wet . With a G-Tech, AD08RS would real in 0.3-0.4 quicker to 62. Which is loads .
considering that the ST was down on power and heavier compared to the type r, it performed very well
Down on power but more torque
Better tyres
Agreed and not as embarrassing to be seen in, the old type R was subtle this one is not
@@Dluger123 Everyone complains about the rear end. Yes it’s ugly. But maybe get a faster car and they wouldn’t see it so much haha
@@ISOLATICN1 it’s just an ugly car, I had two of the previous civic and it looked a lot better, they tried too hard with this one
Great job Steve and Auto Express
My 68 plate Type R in the same colour as that one still makes me enjoy every drive, even if it's just a nip to the shop. It's so special. Can't wait to see the '22 model. It's the only new car in this price bracket I can see replacing it.
I am also waiting for the 22 Type R. Will be interesting how it compares to my current FK8, yes i still have a smile on my face when driving this car.
Nice work! Happy New Year!
My all time favourite driver thank you for the upload 👍
As a mk3 Focus ST owner I’m glad to see the ST brand is still doing a great job! Which It came to North America
I own a mk2 focus st and absolutely love it, that volvo five cylinder is so much fun. I know the newer cars have a 4 cylinder and don't sound as exciting, but that growl sounds great :D
Anything with the badge TypeR holds it's value like any collectible cars.
I enjoyed watching the Track Battle
Good to hear!
Wish Auto Express also offered a 20 min version of this video. Would happily listen to steve talk in depth and narrate the timed laps as Sky F1 do when they compare a Pole Position shootout. Also agree shame that Megane RS wasnt present. Along with the Type R they are the two most capable hot hatches in their price bracket.
Another fantastic video. These are so much better than watching an overweight man who wraps cling film around cars against Mat Watson driving cars in a straight line.
Leave Mat alone, it's not his fault that he can only drive in a straight line.
apparently there isn't so much of difference between the civic and the focus , the focus goes faster around corners but the civic really gets away on straights with its extra 44 horses, wish that ford would make even a more powerful version of that focus.
amazing review and great driving skills steve
The tyre disparity between the Focus and Civic both being on Michelin PS4S and the Cupra on Hankook S1 Evo3's pretty much makes this an automatic loss for the Cupra. I don't know why manufacturers do it to themselves. Not saying the Cupra would've pulled out the win but it would've been a hell of a lot closer. anyway, rant over.
To be fair though, having the DSG vs the two manuals balances that out - Ref being Golf GTi where DSG is close to 2secs a lap faster than the manual GTi
@@rotoehu9266 There shouldn’t be a two second difference per lap between manual and dsg with a professional driver. Surely not
Good point, didn't notice the tyres. Too busy looking at the torque/ bhp stats 🤦♂️. I have a set of those PS4S's on my 290 and they really do dig in when you put your foot down. There is a noticeable difference in traction. That's probably why they cost me £150 a corner.
@@neilooo1998 I wish they cost me £150 a corner 😂 but yeah impressive tyres the only tyres I run on my cars
@@ryryrichard5988 On the nurnurburgring to set fast laps they always use a manual when possible as the DSG is 30kg heavier. The DSG is only faster when it is not a professional driving
class piece by ss once again..didnt expect to watch this till the end
Steve lost weight... good on u mate! Good review again but would have love to see manual FLi30N premium against this mob... gotta love this market of hot hatches
Man the colour on the ST Edition really doesn't show properly on cameras, it's seriously weird. In person it looks way more vibrant and darker, it's absolutely stunning. And I think being that close to the Type R which has like 30hp more is pretty good, I'd definitely take the focus since it doesn't look as obnoxious as a Type R and has a nicer interior and infotainment system.
And, for very little, a tune kit would give it everything it would need to pick up more than a few tenths. But...between these three, it really is up to personal preference. There would be no gap on the streets, but still all grins.
It would be interested to also add the Megane RS
@Leon Daka French - no thanks and with terrible Renault electrics which tend to give trouble.
great video, but your video editor in some clips forgot the put at least rec 709 to the raw footage
Hankook tyres on the cupra and the others with Michelin pilot sport 4 s ? i dont care if it was a drag race but on track you should compare all of them with the same tyres.
I’d have the Ford Focus ST Edition, it’s the best of both worlds, it sounds aggressive, looks amazing, handles well on the road and track
or u can put an exhaust on the type r & have thee best
@@robertparrino1623 The Type R just looks seriously obnoxious and childish, even without the wing, and has a terrible interior and Infotainment system.
@@robertparrino1623 and the resale value of anything TypeR holds it until the end of time.
@@misterle7026 resale is good thats a good point
@@robertparrino1623 you know how much those Fords resale for after the warranty is up?
Did he just say the word lit when talking about the focus??? 😂😂
Isn’t the sportline type r a little softer and not as quick as the regular type r?
All so close on the track, it really is up to personal preferences. The ST gets it for me. Just mature enough, eminently usable, sounds great. Not that it actually matters, but it wouldn't take more than a couple of Mountune parts for the ST pickup a few tenths on the track. Any would a joy to own.
Does that version of the FK8 Type R come standard with the FK2 Type R 19" wheels? FK8 has 20" standard. 🧐
Wow, you really push the track limits on that track.
I am amazed by the focus
When modern engines redline this low, make this little noise, and have this little character, it surprises me that anyone still resists the inevitable switch to electric propulsion.
You can still buy v8 engines and those have amazing character
All you need is an aftermarket exhaust and a little tune and all is dandy.
Only inevitable for fools who believe all the nonsense.
Would the fancy spoil on the top dog Type R really make much difference?
If you drive more than 200km/h, definitely yes.
Steve Sutcliffe is motoring journalist Royalty, and oh do I wish I could drive like him. More videos like this please but mix it up with cars from other classes that would be a first and really interesting just to see the differences 👍🏻
Yes, no nonsense like Rory Reid (AutoExpress) and the better for it. Henry Catchpole (Carfection) and former Evo journo Harry Metcalfe (Harry's Garage) are all up there too.
I love the Honda Steve shows what a great car it is.
How would the civic type r with a wing perform in this battle ?
Wouldn’t make much difference
No i30N?
I have a fk8 there amazing got mine to 370bhp 512nm
Low torque normaly you can tune it up to 600nm at the Stock clutch ♥️
The ST has one good chassis and a great engine. I don't know around that track but the Ford with a DSG would it have won. ?
Why no i30n included?
Belting video Steve! Love a track battle!
So one thing I can’t understand is the ‘Fiesta’ ST Edition. Why has that car considering what it’s purpose is, got brakes from an ST Line (Zetec S in old money)….. I have a mini 210 which I grabbed a set of JCW calipers and disks for as an OE upgrade. The fiesta needs an option like this! Having driven two friends Fiesta ST Eds, I cannot for the life of my understand why it hasn’t got bigger stoppers…. And the fact it’s the first point you make about the focus batters my head 🤦. Apart from a bit of red paint, they’re 279mm and the Bain of every Mk8 ST owners life
Is it to keep the gulf between fiesta and focus current? 🌚. Big brakes on the fiesta and it’s too close to call?
Love the video though! CTR is unbeatable It seems
Would think this would of been in latest magazine BEFORE the free video for everyone to see.
An i30N would’ve been a great addition to this
Would have come last..
On a track never last its a better track car than road car with better tyres would of been right up there
No its slower at the track like the cars in the video
@@Earl_VTEC with the same tyres on it would easily match the Focus. I’ve driven both extensively. Both brilliant cars.
Proper comparisson
this group: Focus RS vs Civic Type R vs Leon Cupra R.
or this group: Focus ST vs Civic Si vs Leon Cupra
For me as a daily family car to live with based on space and performance, then I will go for the civic and the focus
I've seen a few comparisons between focus st and type r, and I have to say there all pretty good,but.. the type r is at the top of civics models, where as the st sits one below the focus range, I would like to see the type r up against the focus rs,.However this was a great video and I will be subscribing. I own a 2020 focus st,and it's very good
@diamus100 is that all for the upgrade,thought montune was around 1300quid
@@iainrae if you take the stage 2 Package (m365) then yes. Just software (m330) what Diamus says
There isn't a mk4 rs version so the St is the top focus model
The comparison is for cars currently available to buy brand new. Ford don't make the RS anymore, so the ST is the range-topper.
When ford had the rs it didnt beat the type r at the track knore did the sti or vw r ,
I like the focus but its a shame that the Edition isnt available in Spain
This looks like a PS4S vs hankook tyre review. You can see the cupra understeer which is a sign that it needs better tyres
I own an FK8 and the only thing I dont like about it is the "off center steering feeling" which is a cheesy way of saying once you're loaded up midcorner you don't really know what the front wheels are doing and judging how much grip you've got at the front does get a little tricky. Beyond that it's pretty much perfect lol
Downsize to 18 for larger side walls and run Falken Azenus or better and you'll notice a dramatic difference in corner gs and lap times. I'm putting 546hp to the wheels on 265/35 and haven't had a problem. Still spin in 3rd tho in straight line
The FK8 launched in 2017 and still comfortably reigning strong in 2022 against much newer FWD competition
Also don't forget how easy it is to double the stock hp with a couple bolt ons 👍
@@HackEmp77 it's easy to get a 600 bhp Civic with 'a couple of bolt ons' - really?!
@@m1keyw no lol
Lovely test,nice cars,still,no manual hand brake Inna FWD hit hacth it's anormal,you loose it and how the hell you control it?
Hairpins,etc.....
What a shane
What about megane rs?
Price...
I have the ST performance in black color 😊
Love the ST.
Europe is so lucky. You still get the ST. Canada only has it for a couple of years.
Well we get it but we can't buy it because we are getting murdered by emission taxes ... (over 8000€ in my country)
So it start at 44.000€ !! (=63.000 CAD)
Think you missed out the Hyundai I30 out the mix may have less bhp but on a track would compete with them 3
Nice to see my FK8 doing well.
This focus with 40 bhp less. Is looking well sorted
Why didn't you mention what you wrote about the cupra in your long term test, that the left hand drive car is sharper ? To compare the times of the cars there sould be the exact same tyres on every car.
Tested with tyres they come with, most owners wont replace 4x tyres from factory
first time i think ive seen a *
Seat Leon Cupra put up against them before.
I'd take the focus st , but I'm a big ford fan boy lol, just ordered brand new puma st in mean green colour 👍😁
This Focus with the trick wheels & suspension still behind the Honda. On the road & practability the Honda further ahead.
Mighty impressive of the Focus to get within 0.4 of a second being 30hp down! C'mon Ford, give the old girl the same power as the EcoBoost Mustang and steal the Type R's crown!
More weight too apart from less bhp. If it was close to 300 bhp, I believe it could beat the Honda (or at least be equal).
@@TopGear21 lol
@@ISOLATICN1 Disagree strongly somewhere?
@@TopGear21 this is a very very short track, the bigger and better the corners, proper corners not this short go kart track, the faster and faster the type r would be lol. Regardless of power.
The ST could have 50 Hp more and it wouldn’t change the outcome, it’s not all about power lol
It is a great shame Ford did not could not, do something with Mountune. I run the M330 map with a cold air filter it transformed my Mk4. Now the Mountune M365 with the exhaust upgrades 365PS 560NM would have made the Mk4/Edition/4.5 the very last word in old school very hot hatchbacks, now that all is otherwise on offer is dual clutch with awd.
Can the gearbox support the 365 easily ?
I see cars there all brilliant
I know it's a hothatch comparison but still I would love to finally see a comparison of those 2.0ish turbo cars on a track against a giula veloce 280hp/400nm rwd or awd.. unfortunately no one seems to want that comparison🥺 other than that great video as always❤🏁
Thank you! The Giulia Veloce is a fine handling car, and rapid too, but we suspect that it'd have a tough time against these three on a track.
@@Autoexpress Thank you so much for your reply🤗 can I ask why you suspect that? In comparison to the Type R the weight is about the same, ok maybe there is a bit of a difference😅 but the Giulia has a 50/50 weight distribution, acceleration and max G-Force as well. I would appreciate your thoughts❤ Greetings from Switzerland
Fk8 is the greatest 🎌biggest tuning Potential ❤️
The weakest link in the Ford is its engine the 2.3 EB is not at all fast revving engine like the Hondas and VWs and yet it if it was able to be within 1sec f the Type R that STs setup is incredible. Do remember even the raw output f Type R is 40 ps more than the ST. Thats HUGe n hot hatch world
Yeah the next version is actually slower in a straight line and I don't do track days so I'll take the Cupra thanks
This man loosing weight to pinch out that better time. Dedication to 22
Auto express sponsored by VAG.
Love honda love the type r.Always the king.
Sorry but I’d take the Ford just for that sound and those brakes. .5 second per lap? In real world numbers that’s next to nothing but I prefer the subdued style of the Focus here. Now later this year when the new CTR is released we’ll see because I love the look of what we can see so far under that camouflage. Of course if I really had a choice I’d find a practically new low mileage FD2 with that glorious K20 engine and be properly happy with that beauty singing to 8300rpm lol. But they are getting very hard to find and quite expensive
Tyres cost the Leon dearly in this test
I was excited for the cupra. Thought a new brand came in but when you said "Volkswagen" I lost all of it
They are trying to create a sub brand in the Seat Cupra. But to me it's still just a VW
Everytime I see Civic TypeR in track test I know who will be winner...
You should call it: Michelin Pilot 4S vs Hankook S1 Evo3. I'm sure, the Leon in the same tyres, the race would be much closer.
The new type R will be a rocket
I don’t think “Fruity” means the same thing in the UK as it does in the US. 😂🤣
The Civic just somert else.
I thought Cupra will be on the lead. Civic - second and Focus will be the most fun but with slowest time.
But which one would you want to drive daily? As we know 99% of people are not going to track these cars. Therefore (in my opinion) the Cupra (which I have bought) is the better all rounder, with regards to all round specifications and daily drivability.
Valid point.
Cupra issue here was tyres vs the other two. obviously.
Interesting you used the slowest version of the new FK8 too 😆 hate to think how much faster the non Sportline version would have been been.
All cracking cars, loved my drive in the Focus ST Edition also.
I would still have the ford
I’m really sad we didn’t get the ST in the US.
You mean sad they canceled it? I am sad over the pond they seem to have a 2.3 liter vs my 2.0 liter. 2.3 liter was reserved for the RS.
@@timpindell8178 sorry, meant to say "new" ST
@@michaelw6277 I am kinda sad as well. Would love a 2.3 version with updates instead on an SUV version
Where the Megane RS?
I bought the estate version 😅😁
Big mistake with Type-R on the penultimate corner. Otherwise the gap would be even greater.
Type R
the type r, easy to source parts because i drive hard.
Funny how it's ST vs Type-R. It should be ST vs Si and RS vs Type-R
When you say the Golf GTi was the first hot hatch, I disagree. I'm pretty sure all 'hot hatch' type cars were spawned from the Vauxhall Viva HB GT. Not a true hot hatch - it had a boot lid - but it was closely followed by the Vauxhall Firenza HP, a true 'hot hatch', albeit that term wasn't widely used for some years after the Vauxhall's launch.
Megane RS Trophy R : *confused look*
1:23 Odd turn of phrase - " has tweeked suspension and huge brakes to make it go faster." Brilliant cars but an awful lot of money and probably lots of insurance too.
I got th Focus ST Edition, has a sticker price of 44.700€ and I ended up paying 37.000€, really not that expensive at the end of the day. With Fords you always get massive discounts at the dealership. Insurance cost (at least here in germany) also is roughly in line with it's competitors, and not too bad.
Cupra had different tyres, so not entirely accurate results.
We can only test the cars as they come from the manufacturer, but the tyres were certainly a big factor.
@@Autoexpress I understand, I was just making a point as to not disregard the Cupra until tested on the same tyres.
never heard of cupra ,though I am from the states
Had 3... Canot go for anything else than a hot hatch now...
I like the Cupra because it is naturally what it is. Not overly Hardcore. The Focus is trying to be hardcore when it is not as hardcore as the Civic. The Civic is hardcore on track.
Type R is still the chief and I am a HONDA fan - but....I like the ST absolutely the same. It has a bit more of understatement if you are not 25 years of age anymore! ;-)
Ford has Not the tuning Potential of the K20c1
@@Earl_VTEC ...not everyone cares about that!
Like I said, for a slightly older guy, it doesn't matter! But you´re maybe right - and for younger dudes it is more relevant!
My dads just taken delivery of a cupra 300 very impressive for a fwd but there’s always something about the type R especially looks wise😍😍 but not enough too pull me away from my M2 but still impressive it’s the one I’d have & nearly did 👏🏽
So 20bhp less in the focus =0.4 of a second, for what is overall a much better car.
They Should all be on ps4s for a fair race tyre is everything