Namibia's content-driven motoring portal
The Ford Focus ST is part of an exclusive club of motorcars which includes the Golf VR6, BMW 325iS, Sentra STi, Kadett Superboss and Civic VTEC. Performance machines which have all become collectable and share one compulsory characteristic: there isn’t a single unmodified specimen left.
The Volkswagen Beetle is undoubtedly one of the world’s most successful vehicles, racking up millions of sales in its original, basic shape. But much like its fellow sales record holders, on top of being rather common, the Beetle always left me completely cold and disinterested.
For today’s review I’m delighted to tell you that our test subject was one of my least favourite automobiles ever and managed to swing that opinion almost 180 degrees within a week. I don’t like hate, it comes with so much guilt and anger, thus I’m eager to share my joyful experiences with you.
I’ve bought quite a few cars over the years and my shortlists usually included some or other derivative of a car which I believe to be a sensible and beautifully engineered hatchback. It’s never been the most affordable and I’m yet to own one so my admiration of the Audi A3 lives on.
Once or twice a week my computer pings at me and announces the imminent arrival of a new test car. Should the electronic reminder include the word “Toyota”, my heart usually sinks in expectation of drab plastics, blunt sheet metal and, with the FJ-flavoured exception, a week of lacklustre driving.
Time for a quick course in German. Volk means Nation and Wagen means Vehicle; more or less. Combine the two with the obligatory “s” in between and you get Nation’s Vehicle or, if you like, People’s Car. Despite a faint whiff of socialism, that’s what Volkswagen stands for – the nation’s vehicle.
Last week saw the introduction of the Hyundai i30, a compact hatchback competing in the C-segment against favourites like the VW Golf, Opel Astra and Ford Focus. The Korean is all-new and armed with a few goodies to create some European headaches.
It’s been a long time coming and I was honestly getting concerned that halfway through the year I hadn’t found any pleasant surprises yet. Sure, thundering AMG’s and seven-figure Jags may apply but it wasn’t until last week that I stumbled across a hidden gem: the Opel Astra GTC.
Can you hear that? The fizzing noise coming from your pocket as more precious Dollars are being mercilessly fried by yet another petrol price hike. Your salary doesn’t increase proportionately, new car prices aren’t exactly dropping and public transport still in its infancy, often emulating a newborn’s sounds and smells.
Did you design your own house? Have you got a truly puzzling music collection? You have an iguana instead of a retriever, don’t you? If you refuse to go mainstream by getting a Golf GTi and have been longing for something rather eccentric with a dash of fun, meet the Volvo C30 T5 R-Design.