The Ford press office have obviously been busy of late, not only do Top Gear, Autocar and Fast Ford magazines have ST long termers, but when EVO magazine landed on my doormat this morning, I find that they've now gotten in on the act.

The amusing Richard Porter (script editor on Top Gear TV, fact fans) has taken delivery of a white ST. He shares people's concerns about the image given off by the stripes and has actually had the top stripes taken off, leaving it with just the side stripes:

Quote:

---

Stripes are brilliant in magazine pictures, but do you want them gummed to your car every day?

---

Initial moans are with the sat nav (did anyone order this on their cars?) in that you can't have a CD on at the same time. He also points out that, from new, the engine seems a bit lacklustre but that it is improving with mileage. Good points are the gear change and the ride quality, together with the fact that when you just want to potter about, it doesn't get on your nerves like some other small hot hatches (Hello, 182 Cup).

Still, he intends to find out whether they were a bit hasty in only awarding the ST 3 out of 5 on launch and then subsequently upgrading to 3.5 when tested in the UK, hoping that its one of those cars that has depth of ability which only emerges over time. I'll be looking forward to their updates.

For those of you that don't already read this magazine then go out and get it, its easily the best car mag on the planet. There's quite a few other tantalising articles in this month's issue too, including an Astra VXR/Golf GTi/Megane 225 group test, a ride in the Focus ST with the legend that is Jost Capito, a revisit of the Focus RS and a test of the Clio Trophy against the BMW M6... Well worth the £3.95 cover price.