I know I said I'd post the Ford Focus ST review today, but I've just re-read the latest draft, and it reads like something written by someone on cold medicine. Which makes sense, since I was taking cold medicine when I wrote the latest draft. So I hope you'll forgive me if I delay a couple of days longer... frequency is the key to online success, but with a car this important, I want to have the review right.
Since I'm talking shop instead of posting reviews... I'm in Austin, Texas, right now, to drive the all-new 2014 Mazda6. This is one of those cars that I fear I'm going to have a hard time giving a fair shake, because I have such high expectations -- I still remember the press launch of the last one (during which I discovered a new section of the About.com Top Secret Curvy Test Road), and it remains one of my favorite mid-sizers. Whenever I write reviews of an all-new model, I generally avoid comparisons to the old one; that's great for buff books, but people who are shopping for a car care more about what they can buy now. With the Mazda6, this is going to be a challenge. I'm hoping the car will be fantastic, only because it'll make my job a lot easier...
Sooooo, the Focus ST review will be up as soon as its ready. Meantime, check out these review of the cars against which it will be compared:
- Volkswagen Golf R review
- Mazdaspeed3 review
- Volkswagen Jetta GLI review
- Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart review
Oh, and speaking of hot hatchbacks -- I also got a chance to drive a Volkswagen Golf GTD, essentially a diesel-powered version of the GTI. It's a European model, but Volkswagen is thinking seriously about bringing it to the United States. Look for my review later in the week. -- Aaron Gold
When I was working in the car biz with VW, I let the Regional Director of Sales know my utter contempt for their initial exclusion of the GTD. Had they released it as they were thinking of doing, I would be driving one today. Sadly, I am not. A premium gas swilling Golf will never be in my garage.