Best Hot Hatch of the 21st Century – nominations
Discussion
1) Ford Focus RS mk2. Amazing looks with that proper RS bodykit with flaired arches, angry face, bonnet vents, huge exhaust tips and great colours. Fantastic punchy engine with great tuning potential and orgasmic soundtrack. Bit lairy and loose on standard suspesion, but an absolute weapon on proper coilovers and semi-slicks. Hard to choose between this and the mk1, but the second generation just edges it. The MPV-looking mk3 with its fartcan exhaust, 1,7 tonne mass and boring engine was a real letdown after these two.
2) Renault Megane mk3 Trophy. Almost impossible to choose who takes second place between this, the mk2 Megane RS R26, Clio 182 Trophy or Clio 192. In the end i went for the mk3, as it manages to be even faster than the mk2 along with being more comfortable.
3) Fiesta ST mk7. Nothing to be said really, is there? Sublime handling, great punchy engine, looks good, parts are cheap, good tuning potential, reliable...
This poll also had me thinking about the three worst hot hatches of the 21st century. My top three are all 4wd and german
2) Renault Megane mk3 Trophy. Almost impossible to choose who takes second place between this, the mk2 Megane RS R26, Clio 182 Trophy or Clio 192. In the end i went for the mk3, as it manages to be even faster than the mk2 along with being more comfortable.
3) Fiesta ST mk7. Nothing to be said really, is there? Sublime handling, great punchy engine, looks good, parts are cheap, good tuning potential, reliable...
This poll also had me thinking about the three worst hot hatches of the 21st century. My top three are all 4wd and german
anthonysjb said:
Having owned a Clio 182 FF, Mk7 Fiesta ST and currently a Mk5 GTI, my ideal hot hatch recipe is the ST with a few modifications.
The car is economical, comfortable and extremely easy to live with. From stock the chassis is very playful, no understeer and capable enough for any British road.
However, it is improved with some modifications. Running an aftermarket induction kit, exhaust, intercooler to remove the heat soak they experience in the summer and a remap transforms the car. With 240bhp and a load of torque it is so easy to adjust the line of the car on the throttle, persuade lift off oversteer etc. With the exhaust on there and the induction kit it adds some aural drama too that is needed.
Having experienced one with a big turbo on (X47R 330bhp) with an LSD, that is the ideal hot hatch in my opinion. Blisteringly fast, comfortable enough, planted on the motorway and still great to go to Tesco in.
The 182 is too compromised as a daily. It feels like a tin can, isn't renowned to be reliable, and is too noisy. The Mk5 GTI is great round. It does feel a bit big and heavy, but very comfortable and fast with a few mods. Crap on fuel though.
You must have bought a dog of a 182 then. I took my 172 cup to 150k from new and it went to 195k before it became a track car.The car is economical, comfortable and extremely easy to live with. From stock the chassis is very playful, no understeer and capable enough for any British road.
However, it is improved with some modifications. Running an aftermarket induction kit, exhaust, intercooler to remove the heat soak they experience in the summer and a remap transforms the car. With 240bhp and a load of torque it is so easy to adjust the line of the car on the throttle, persuade lift off oversteer etc. With the exhaust on there and the induction kit it adds some aural drama too that is needed.
Having experienced one with a big turbo on (X47R 330bhp) with an LSD, that is the ideal hot hatch in my opinion. Blisteringly fast, comfortable enough, planted on the motorway and still great to go to Tesco in.
The 182 is too compromised as a daily. It feels like a tin can, isn't renowned to be reliable, and is too noisy. The Mk5 GTI is great round. It does feel a bit big and heavy, but very comfortable and fast with a few mods. Crap on fuel though.
2.0 NA in 1 tonne of car was am incredible last shout for hot hatches. An engine happy to tug a Laguna in 150bhp guise for big miles.
For me, once turbo charging stepped in, hot hatches died. The visceral nature of NA is infectious, fuel and air, induction noise, on/off accellerator feel. No trickery, no lies.
BricktopST205 said:
R26R seems to be winning and can see why. Even the bog standard R26 is up there and criminally under valued.
EP3 Type R and Alfa 147 would have to fill out the top 3. Hot hatch is all about the engine and turbo cars leave a lot to be desired despite how fast they are.
Honourable mention to Suzuki for their iterations of the swift sports give a true retro hot hatch feel to the market.
I do wonder how many people have driven/owned one or is it the “journo hype”? Honda does it so much better. The 26R is a tad boring and clinical. EP3 Type R and Alfa 147 would have to fill out the top 3. Hot hatch is all about the engine and turbo cars leave a lot to be desired despite how fast they are.
Honourable mention to Suzuki for their iterations of the swift sports give a true retro hot hatch feel to the market.
Swift is a good car.
Alpinestars said:
I do wonder how many people have driven/owned one or is it the “journo hype”? Honda does it so much better. The 26R is a tad boring and clinical.
Swift is a good car.
Well, have you driven a R26R? I've driven the non-R and its one of the best cars i've ever driven, let alone just hot hatches.Swift is a good car.
Turbojuice said:
Alpinestars said:
I do wonder how many people have driven/owned one or is it the “journo hype”? Honda does it so much better. The 26R is a tad boring and clinical.
Swift is a good car.
Well, have you driven a R26R? I've driven the non-R and its one of the best cars i've ever driven, let alone just hot hatches.Swift is a good car.
Trophy Husband said:
You must have bought a dog of a 182 then. I took my 172 cup to 150k from new and it went to 195k before it became a track car.
2.0 NA in 1 tonne of car was am incredible last shout for hot hatches. An engine happy to tug a Laguna in 150bhp guise for big miles.
For me, once turbo charging stepped in, hot hatches died. The visceral nature of NA is infectious, fuel and air, induction noise, on/off accellerator feel. No trickery, no lies.
The lack of torque was frustrating for making swift progress. ST, foot down any gear, off you go. 7300rpm rev limit and all the power top end with the CP2 map I had. What a car.2.0 NA in 1 tonne of car was am incredible last shout for hot hatches. An engine happy to tug a Laguna in 150bhp guise for big miles.
For me, once turbo charging stepped in, hot hatches died. The visceral nature of NA is infectious, fuel and air, induction noise, on/off accellerator feel. No trickery, no lies.
LukeSi said:
Clio 172 cup
Last hot hatch to come with no aircon, no abs. It was cheaper than the normal one while being so much more special. Last proper hot hatch.
On the money there. Bang for buck never to be beaten. I remember mine being lowered off a loader with 6 miles on the clock and driving home from Wirral to Conwy with my best mate shotgun. I left my company car behind, a MK 1 Focus diesel and grinned like I hadn't since my Pug 1.9 GTI from 10 years earlier. Last hot hatch to come with no aircon, no abs. It was cheaper than the normal one while being so much more special. Last proper hot hatch.
I have a vivid memory at flooring it at a set of lights near the Welsh Road and nearly driving into a wall as I wasn't used to the power. What a car it was! 3 wheels on the ground was enough.
loskie said:
do elaborate on the Yaris GRMN.
Not heard much about them they do raise my curiosity.
Hi , I have one and probably very controversial on here but it's better than my 182 and mk2 rs focus 375 and mk3 rs focus , I've had a r26 Megane also and undecided if the Yaris is better or not . It's that good . Low numbers so not sure it qualifies anyway on this particular poll . Not heard much about them they do raise my curiosity.
Gad-Westy said:
Zarco said:
Niffty951 said:
kentheribs said:
Clio 182 trophy, small, light, just the right power to weight ratio to maximise the fun factor
The Clio has the mk1 Elise problem for me. Great chassis but not enough power to exploit it. To be fair I've only been in the 197 and 200 but a assume what applies to those applies to this. Also it's just not a place I want to spend time when I'm not driving like a demon.Surely an all time great is defined my its depth of ability but the interior is about as comforting as a van.
I guess maybe on track, things are different but I've always seen hot hatches as being at home on fiddly little roads rather than big wide expanses of tarmac.
tony dumble said:
Alpinestars said:
I do wonder how many people have driven/owned one or is it the “journo hype”? Honda does it so much better. The 26R is a tad boring and clinical.
Swift is a good car.
R26r boring lol you obviously never owned one . driven one or even been in one Swift is a good car.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff