Auto Express have taken a couple of my favourite cars for a spin, the new LV Focus ST and the Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring edition.

As touched upon previously, the new LV Focus ST is essentially a design upgrade although it does sport some new touches with keyless entry and starter ignition button.

The VXR Nurburgring major tweaks include cosmetic updates such as carbon fibre accents internally, a brilliant white skin including 18″ alloys, chequered decals and an acoustic upgrade with a Remus sports exhaust.

Both are in the top echelon of the hot hatch race making each review well worth a quick squiz alongside plenty of pictures.

• Ford Focus ST - First Drive
• Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring - First Drive

In this month’s EVO (issue #119) they put the Renaultsport Megane 175 dCi up against one of the best petrol hot hatches on the market today the Focus ST.

Do we finally have a diesel hot hatch that is as good as or better than their petrol counterparts? Click through to read the results.

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Following the designs from the Verve concept and the new Mondeo, Ford have updated the looks of the Focus ST (XR5). The changes are purely cosmetic. We’ll have to wait for the RS for something more spicy.

The fordxr5turbo.com crew are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one these onto Australian shores. It shouldn’t be too long now.

More details can be found here Ford Australia - Focus XR5 Turbo

Renaultsport will be unveiling the Renaultsport Megane R26 R at the 2008 British International Motor Show.

Based on the current R26 Megane, the Renaultsport team have made some changes to the suspension, added a shorter throw gearchange and have put the Megane on a diet. The crazy French have tossed out the rear seats, fitted a carbon fibre bonnet, carbon shelled seats and polycarbonate rear window shedding a massive 125Kg. With this weight loss they’re claiming 0-100 in 6 seconds creating a real track weapon.

Looks wise, you’re either going to love it or hate it, those red wheels aren’t for everyone. But there’s no denying that this is one hardcore, track focused hot hatch.

[Source: EVO, World Car Fans]

I didn’t expect that Porsche may become the next entrant to the Hot Hatch market. Never the less we now have a couple of images indicating that Porsche is leveraging the VW Golf relationship further.

AutoBild, a German magazine has further detail on the new hot hatch slated for release in 2012. An AWD Porsche studded super luxury hot hatch can’t be all bad can it?

The larger image from the magazine is available on the click through.

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