Yesterday's Autocar has a full road test of the Fiesta ST. Conclusion - it's good, but doesn't have that sparkle we've come to expect from Fords. 3.5 out of 5.

It should be on the website within a week or so.

Interesting. Having now driven one and been out in one being driven quite hard I am very impressed. For the money I think it is excellent and can only think that the 'sparkle' might be lost beacuase the handling compliments the power (when driven by a capable driver on appropriate roads.... ) instead of requiring the driver to show a bit more respect with the throttle.

Sometimes, I think an edgier, harder to drive car is considered to be more of a driver's car (even if not necessarily faster). I don't mind a car being a bit edgy if it genuinely is for reasons of performance. However, there are plenty of examples of extremely well-sorted, genuinely *quick* cars, too. The Honda NSX (developed in consultation with Ayrton Senna) is one classic example. Such vehicles allow you to concentrate on the intricacies of the road itself and less on the vices of the machinery trying to fly off the road from under you . . . They typically make better rally cars.

If anyone's played GPL, the Cooper (Coventry), for example, makes one feel like a total hero driver, sliding everywhere, somehow managing to keep it all pointing forwards. It feels like you're *obviously* the fastest driver in the world! Climb into the Ferrari, however, and in it's own little serene, uncomplicated way, it will run rings around the Cooper.

top post there Ryan I'm a Lotus 49 man myself

Hehe - I can get around OK in the Lotus, but to be honest, I've never been able to put as much time into GPL as I would like . . . That game can take man months (if not years!!!) out of your life! Recently I've been enjoying LFS and GTR (demo).

LFS is very good.