As typical practice with car manufacturers looking to generate some buzz about runout models, Ford have created the devilishly handsome Fiesta ST500 Limited Edition (500 units).

Mechanically the ST500 LE remains identical to the current ST (XR4 in AU) with the rorty 2.0L Duratec 4 cylinder furnace, finely tuned sports suspension, a close ratio short shift gearbox and tweaked sports steering.

The ST500 LE has received a nice facelift as you will no doubt notice in the large number of pictures (available below on the click through). Highlights include 17″ black rims, red calipers, a custom bonnet U shape decal, Sony stereo system and leather heated seats. There will be only 500 units available and will be retailing for GBP 15,000.

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Unless you were hiding under a rock you’d know that the throwback Fiat 500 was receiving some special treatment from Abarth.

Visually attractive, the package has some substance with a Petrol 1.4L 16v Turbo engine, pumping out 135 bhp (99 kW) @ 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3,000 rpm in ‘Sport’ mode (who cares about ‘normal’ mode specs). Suspension has also been overhauled with a change up with springs, dampers and rollbar. Abarth are also set to release a SS Assetto Corsa version of the Abarth so it’ll surely pump up the chest a little further.

Check out the TopGear article here, more pictures and the official press release available after the jump.

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Hold onto your nuts ladies and gents, it appears a lovely dealer somewhere in Europe leaked some photoshop edits of what is to be the new Ford Focus RS.

Ford Europe did an excellent job pilfering Lamborghini’s orange as the hero colour for the Ford Focus ST so it is only fitting they borrow the raging bull’s green for the RS.

Whilst we all wait to see what the final specifications will be, there is no doubt that the RS is indeed coming with many sites such as WorldCarFans reporting numerous sitings. I may start praying today that they’ll make their way to the Australian market.

The full set of pictures in hi-res formats are available via the HHH Flickr account.

[Source: CarSpyShots.net]

After a long wait the Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT) finally unleash their new weapon for the 2008 season at the Acropolis rally.

The WRC2008 is based on the road version of the current Impreza STi and it’s the first time the SWRT have ditched using a sedan and instead gone for the hatchback design. In pure WRC style the car gets a much more aggressive look with bigger guards and a massive rear wing. The WRC2008 also loses its famous bonnet scoop, they’ve gone for a front mounted intercooler this time to help with the center of gravity for the car.

It’s a radical change for the team, and one that comes with great expectation as fans across the globe have been awaiting a Subaru revival for quite some time.

The car didn’t disappoint on its debut, Peter Solberg finished in an incredible 2nd place in one of the years roughest rally. A result which earnt the team the Abu Dhabi the spirit of the rally award. It’s a very promising start for Subaru and we look forward to having them back in the pointy end for this championship.

Whilst the Suzuki SX4 represents a hot hatch based more on balance and fun rather than having a stonking powertrain it has won a place in the hearts and mind of many. Leveraging the natural attraction to the World Rally Championship, Suzuki are releasing a limited edition run of 500 replica SX4 tarted up in the full WRC affair.

The SX4 WRC comes with the full WRC look, exterior highlights include a new body kit, faux carbon fibre highlights, white 16″ (205/60 R 16) rims and the applicable WRC patchwork of decals. The interior has received minor caron fibre accents and a leather gear knob.

Sporting a sticker price of €19,500 in Germany, we’d expect the SX4 WRC to sell although I can’t help feel that Suzuki’s marketing team had more of a say than the engineering department. A little more muscle under the hood would have really made the SX4 WRC a more exciting proposition overall.

Full images available on the click through.

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