This months Auto Express (Dec special)  has Fiesta 125 Hybrid vs Hyundai i20 hybrid comparison test. I bought it for the all-season tyre test which is also included in it.

Prices now announced for this:

£24995 5 door only

Only extras are black roof and "premium" Bose music at £500 apiece and metallic/special paint at £550.

So pricing pretty similar to a Fiesta ST-3 5 door, which is no great surprise I suppose. 

Requested a test drive so I'll see what happens!😀

 

On 6/25/2021 at 6:17 PM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Requested a test drive so I'll see what happens!😀

Lol, nothing so far! Got a message back to say the local dealer would be in touch when they get a demo.

Meanwhile Autocar  have done their comparison test with a Fiesta ST Edition. 

Phrases like "Even in comfort mode, the i20N feels raw" and "it does bob and fidget endlessly" don't bode well, when I was hoping it might turn out be a slightly more forgiving alternative to an ST (which Autocar pronounced the winner anyway).

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Lol, nothing so far! Got a message back to say the local dealer would be in touch when they get a demo.

Meanwhile Autocar  have done their comparison test with a Fiesta ST Edition. 

Phrases like "Even in comfort mode, the i20N feels raw" and "it does bob and fidget endlessly" don't bode well, when I was hoping it might turn out be a slightly more forgiving alternative to an ST (which Autocar pronounced the winner anyway).

 

 

 

Yeah but, it’s got flames around the Rev counter, and a grin control

Saw the Yaris GR in the showroom the other week.

It looks awesome and apparantly has the performance and handling to go with it.  If I was 25 again I'd have one.  

At my age now though I am looking forward to getting the RAV and softer suspension. 🤣

At £30k there won't be many 25 year olds buying the GR!

 

21 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

At £30k there won't be many 25 year olds buying the GR!

 

Ah, that's life's little joke. When you REALLY want something like that, you can't afford it. When you CAN afford it, you either don't want it any more or, more likely, know that your back won't be up to it!😀 

I'm starting to think, for something a little easier to live with, I may need to revisit the Polo GTI or its Audi A1 40TFSI sibling, despite not being a fan of their DSG boxes. (There were originally supposed to be manual versions in the pipeline but deafening silence on that over the last 3 years, so little chance now.)

35 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

At £30k there won't be many 25 year olds buying the GR!

 

At £300/month there would be.

5 minutes ago, MarksST said:

At £300/month there would be.

Yes, I've seen monthlies for PCP of £299. Biggish deposits though - £9,000 or so. 

Kids these days aren't doing pensions, they are smacking massive deposits down on new cars cos they want them NOW.

 

2 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Ah, that's life's little joke. When you REALLY want something like that, you can't afford it. When you CAN afford it, you either don't want it any more or, more likely, know that your back won't be up to it!😀 

I'm starting to think, for something a little easier to live with, I may need to revisit the Polo GTI or its Audi A1 40TFSI sibling, despite not being a fan of their DSG boxes. (There were originally supposed to be manual versions in the pipeline but deafening silence on that over the last 3 years, so little chance now.)

Was looking at a smaller than Focus car for our next one but really not much choice about as I've ( we) have always driven manual cars. Saying that I didn't like the red trim insert across the dashboard in the Polo GTI though.

 

1 hour ago, Wino said:

Saying that I didn't like the red trim insert across the dashboard in the Polo GTI though.

 

Yes, it was previously a strange sort of matt finish, looked a bit like red primer. Doesn't look too bad in the imminent facelift though, from what I've seen, more of a satin finish. There was an option to have a grey finish but don't know if that will continue - all the facelift shots I've seen had the red.

Yes, very little choice of a reasonably practical supermini with a bit more go and a manual box. VW don't seem to have sold many of the current GTI model here (I've never seen one) but when I've enquired about manual (which you would expect to be more popular in a car like that) I've had the usual "You're the umpteenth person to ask, but there's no demand" routine!😀

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Yes, it was previously a strange sort of matt finish, looked a bit like red primer. Doesn't look too bad in the imminent facelift though, from what I've seen, more of a satin finish. There was an option to have a grey finish but don't know if that will continue - all the facelift shots I've seen had the red.

Yes, very little choice of a reasonably practical supermini with a bit more go and a manual box. VW don't seem to have sold many of the current GTI model here (I've never seen one) but when I've enquired about manual (which you would expect to be more popular in a car like that) I've had the usual "You're the umpteenth person to ask, but there's no demand" routine!😀

There's definitely 3 on the local estate around here all in white with the red insert across the dash.

It seems to be the way things are heading atm with anything that has a bit of "poke" reverts to DSG, whether that's to protect the engine/ gearbox from abuse or simply for demand is anyones guess.

IIRC even the majority of VW Polos in R line specification with the 1ltr 115bhp engine in seem to be DSG too.

One in particular for sale locally has been racing tuned up to 265bhp 😮

I heard some bad news about the GR Yaris.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/bad-luck-toyota-gr-yaris-sold-out-until-2023

49 minutes ago, Wino said:

There's definitely 3 on the local estate around here all in white with the red insert across the dash.

It seems to be the way things are heading atm with anything that has a bit of "poke" reverts to DSG, whether that's to protect the engine/ gearbox from abuse or simply for demand is anyones guess.

IIRC even the majority of VW Polos in R line specification with the 1ltr 115bhp engine in seem to be DSG too.

One in particular for sale locally has been racing tuned up to 265bhp 😮

Emissions is the reason for dsg. 
 

Manuals are now worse for efficiency than modern autos, where it used to be the opposite. 

I wish Skoda would produce another Fabia vRS. I loved my mk1 and the mk2 sold quite well. I have heard they are not going to, but the new mk4 will get a 1.5 150BHP engine mated to a DSG box which might be quite quick.

43 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

Emissions is the reason for dsg. 
 

Manuals are now worse for efficiency than modern autos, where it used to be the opposite. 

I've seen some very good mpg figures in long term tests of the BMW 128ti, which has an 8 speed slush box with no manual option.

It's hard to get a comparison nowadays as so few cars are available with both. However, in the case of the Golf 8 GTI, the DSG produces 1 gram less CO2 and gives 0.5mpg extra on the combined figures. On the Focus ST, the auto again has 1 gram CO2 advantage, combined mpg is the same, so I reckon those who.prefer a manual can pocket the £1500 or so they save with a reasonably clear conscience.

 

57 minutes ago, Jim H said:

I heard some bad news about the GR Yaris.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/bad-luck-toyota-gr-yaris-sold-out-until-2023

It does a least show there's still a demand for a car like that. I did see a suggestion that, if the GR Yaris was a success, Toyota might consider another GR hatch, possibly a Corolla with a similar drive train

1 hour ago, Wino said:

There's definitely 3 on the local estate around here all in white with the red insert across the dash.

Interesting. Where I am there are plenty of Fiesta STs, and quite a few non GTI Polos, but lovers of fast VWs seem to favour the Golf.

1 hour ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

It does a least show there's still a demand for a car like that. I did see a suggestion that, if the GR Yaris was a success, Toyota might consider another GR hatch, possibly a Corolla with a similar drive train

Lovely GR Yaris lives just down the road from me , looks stunning in white .

looks quite wide from some angles and quite a tall hot hatch but nevertheless prob goes like stink with 260hp +

sounds good as well as the guy hoofs it down every road.

My next door as had the new Cupra the spin off from the seat but no seat name just the new Cupra name and what a beast,over 300BHP and he took me a ride in it and its amazing,the stuff on it as we would say the toys are great.

Im getting to like the seat.

I was amused at this test video. Check out the number of times the guy says he loves the car - I lost count!

On 6/25/2021 at 6:17 PM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Requested a test drive so I'll see what happens!😀

Keep seeing conflicting reports on this - one will say it's more grown up and easier to live with than the Fiesta ST, another will say the opposite - I guess it's down to personal opinion/preference.

Only way to find out I suppose is see for myself, so been chasing up the local dealer regarding a drive. They tell me their demo is not now due until October, and they appeared a bit miffed that the UK press are getting cars to drive and they've nothing to show customers. I lurk on the Hyundai  n-cars forum and members on there have had the same experience.

Seem to be quite a few also interested in the GR Yaris - one said they had been asked to accept a £1500 insurance excess for a test drive, another had been asked for a credit/debit card deposit for a similar amount! It does seem that most GRs have been bought online without a test drive (or even seeing one), and buyers are working on the basis that it they don't like it when it arrives they should be able to get rid at no loss while there's a waiting list! Unfortunately situations do change and that sort of plan can backfire!😃 Only one I've seen so far was a white one in a supermarket car park - looked rather good. I hung around for a while (trying not to look too suspicious!) in the hope of having a quick chat with the owner, but no luck.

There does seem to be a push though by manufacturers generally to get sales direct online, effectively cutting the dealer out of the loop, though I suppose the dealer will get a handling fee for prep/handover etc. I guess the Covid situation has added impetus to this, but it was happening anyway.