Garelick Boat Hook 55170/02 on 2040-parts.com

Ford puts the 2012 Focus ST through its paces

Ford product gurus are hard at work flogging prototypes of the 2012 Focus ST on challenging roads around the world in preparation of the hot hatch's launch next year. The car debuted in concept guise at the Paris motor show and is the halo of the new Ford Focus lineup, packing 246 hp from a turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine paired with a six-speed manual. Ford released shots of the Focus ST in light camouflage today as it tries to build momentum for the sporty addition to its small-car lineup.

Nissan Qashqai 360 replaces Qashqai n-tec+ – costs from £19,945

Nissan is replacing the Qashqai n-tec+ with the Nissan Qashqai 360 Edition complete with more equipment including a 360 degree view camera. In fact, the best-selling Qashqai – the Qashqai n-tec+, which accounted for 60 per cent of Qashqai sales in 2012 – managed to out-sell the Ford Mondeo all on its own and sold more than the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage combined. A fact Nissan are keen you know.

New Skoda Octavia vRS hatch & estate revealed

The 2013 Skoda Octavia vRS has been revealed (vRS hatch pictured) The Skoda Octavia vRS – the latest version of Skoda’s quick and appealing take on the VW Golf GTI – has been unveiled ahead of its debut at the Goodwood FoS in July, and it looks a cracker. Available as either a hatchback or estate – and as a diesel or a petrol – the Octavia vRS manages to repackage the Golf GTI and Golf GTD in to one Skoda, offering good performance (the vRS is a bit slower than the GTI to 62mph at 6.8 seconds but has a 2mph higher top speed), good looks and the promise of prices starting not much above £20k. The petrol vRS gets the Golf GTI’s 217bhp 2.0 litre TSI and the diesel vRS the 181bhp 2.0 litre TFI from the Golf GTD, both with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and a six-speed DSG as option, sports suspension, XDS differential, quicker steering and multi-link rear suspension.