Have always loved this car from launch. Even after having seen it at the Geneva motorshow for the first time, I was smitten by how ridiculously agressive the design was, from its drooping fat chin, to its over exaggerated spoiler on the boot. It was basically a charicature of the hot hatch and in no way could it be launched in concept trim!

Except it was.

I need a car to enjoy over the winter and what better way than a White Focus RS. Nearly new with 2k miles on the clock, the Focus RS is a pretty special play toy. With over 300 BHP and 325 ft/lb torque, any hard acceleration can simply be regarded as nothing other than comedy! I know for a fact that I’m going to be chewing through tyres in this car. Slam your foot down in 2nd, 3rd or even 4th and your arms suddenly start wrestling with the wheel as it tries to break free from its shackles and throw itself out the window in a glorious escape to freedom. It’s also ridiculously cheaply made. I’ve already had bits of plastic trim from the facia fall off in my hand. But then, this is a £26k car. It’s basically a Ford Focus 1.4 underneath, only with anabolic steroid abuse.

Have you ever seen such an aggressive front before?! It’s positively drunk and off its face and you look it in the eye and you’ll be guaranteed to house a bottle in your temple before the nights out.

So, agressive looks, hyperactive steering – is there anything that is vaguely normal about this car? Actually, no. Weirdly enough, it’s about 100kg heavier than the GT3, weighing in at about 1500kg. So it’s not light, but without appearing blatantly predictable, it’s actually pin sharp in delicacy and pointedness. Even in damp conditions, roundabouts are adhesive and it’s only with aggressive use of mid-corner throttle does the car look you in the face and shout ‘LOL PHYSICS’.

There’s something wonderfully endearing about owning a £25k hot hatch. With a 90k GT3, you can’t talk to people about it without them thinking you’re a wanker. The Focus RS is the Barry McGuigan of the car world, a people’s champion, not concerned about false pretences but merely tasked with getting a job done without compromise.

It’s also got a wealth of toys that put the GT3 to shame, especially given its price tag. Reversing camera, touch screen sat nav, keyless entry and go, ipod connector etc. Those seats are also pretty darn rad.

I’m at Silverstone this weekend with a bunch of others in hot hatches – the GT3’s are being left at home. This time, I don’t mind so much :)

Oh and watch this bleeding video!

997 GT3 and 535d BMW on Autobahn
Henry in his ridiculously fast diesel carries his speed through as I quickly dip in between cars to allow him to pass all of us. German Autobahn.

997 GT3 at 200MPH overtaking Monaro
Unconfirmed by lack of GPS but indicated speedo of 200MPH. Cars overtaken are CL65 (were it not limited it would have blown me away!) and Monaro which I overtake at 170MPH. Route is German autobahn, conditions good and traffic clear

997 GT3 at 207MPH
This is naturally indicated and in no way proven, although I’d estimate 200MPH based on 8000+ RPM at 6th gear. Car feels remarkably stable at this speed and vastly different to the previous generation 996 at same speed. Route is German autobahn, conditions good and traffic clear.

Anyway, here’s a video of a chase with the camera in my car and following Glenn who’s a Porsche Cup racer (had to add that in) in his GT3 RS.
Apologies for the stupid camera placement, I’m a recording n00b and I should know better.

Cem’s GT3 + Glenn’s GT3 RS Snetterton Dec 08 from Cem Kocu on Vimeo.

Still, here you’ll find Glenn in his 997 GT3RS (host car with camera) chasing me in my white 997 GT3. It’s a pretty good video and shows the differences between the two cars (read: none!)

Nissan GTR 2008 at Goodwood
GTR Owners Club get up close and personal to the new GTR.
Filmed by Scott M, you can see that there are still covered up areas of the car, suggesting possible internal marketing conflicts with regards to how the headlights should look.
See GTR Thread on www.gtr.co.uk for more info.

Nissan GTR 2008 at Goodwood – part 2
Some more closeups of the 2008 Nissan GTR at Goodwood. More information at www.gtr.co.uk

Donington drive by – 6 – Skyline GTR
View from grandstand, car sounds awesome from here.
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Donington end of session- GTR34
End of session, pulling into pitlane
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Donington drive by – 5 – Skyline GTR
Drive-by number 5
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Donington drive by – 4 – Skyline GTR
Drive-by number 4
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Drive by – GTR34 Skyline Donington
Drive-by number 3
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Donington Drive By – Skyline GTR
Drive-by number 2
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Skyline GTR Drive-by Donington
Drive-by number 1
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Pulling out of pitlane – R34 GTR at Donington
Pulling out of pitlane for start of a few laps.
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

R34 GTR at Donington
A lap with a couple of juicy sideways moments. (edit- lol, 1 degree of slip and I used to call it a sideways moment, what a putz)
Donington 3rd November 2001 (R34 Skyline GTR)

R34 GTR Skyline on Rolling Road
My R34 on the Dyno. Got 361BHP and 282ft/lb of torque with just breathers.
Power Engineering 17th November 20011 (R34 Skyline GTR)

R34 GTR around Donington
Alex Creasey prepared this video from a combination of scenes from my recent trip at Donington. A nice collection.

R34 GTR v Bedford Autodrome
Lap one of Bedford Autodrome in the R34 Skyline. This was the Gran Turismo circuit.

Bedford 30th March 2002 (R34 Skyline GTR)
R34 GTR v Bedford Autodrome – Lap 2
Lap two of Bedford Autodrome in the R34 Skyline. Here I am sandwiched between 2 very fast Integra Type R’s.
Bedford 30th March 2002 (R34 Skyline GTR)

Herd of GTR’s travel to Nurburgring
The ultimate classic GTR video – 5 GTRs in a trip across Europe for a pilgramige to the Nurburgring 24H race. Filming and editing to Alex Creasey, digitising yours truly.
Europe, 3rd June 2002 (R34 Skyline GTR V-Spec x 3, 2 R33 GTR V-Specs)