TOP TEN OF THE BEST HOT HATCHES
Considering their price, petrol consumption and insurance costs, it must be surprising to some just how packed the hot hatch sector is - but for us punters who like our cars pacey, reasonably priced and boasting powerhouse looks, it's a no-brainer. So if you're in the market for a fast and furious hatchback, here's our rundown of the very best...
TOP TEN OF THE BEST HOT HATCHES
Renault Twingo/Clio/Megane
When it comes to front-wheel drive hot hatches, Renault's performance division, Renaultsport, seems incapable of putting a tyre wrong. Not only did it round off the Megane's fat-bottomed previous gen with one of the greatest hot hatches ever made, the R26.R, they've gone on to unleash three astonishing hatches within months of each other - and there's one for every budget; the Renaultsport Twingo 133 Cup (from £12,046.95 - 0-60 in 8.7secs), the Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup (from £16,459.45 - 0-60 in 6.9secs) and the daddy, the Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup (from £22,467.29 - 0-60 in 6.1 secs). All offer huge grip, brilliant chassises and confidence-inspiring rides. No, none of these cars have the fit or finish of a German motor but at these prices, who cares?
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Skoda Fabia vRS
From £16,000 est.
The previous vRS was an unassuming little hatchback with a diesel engine - not the most conspicuous of hot hatches then but that was part of its appeal for many owners. For the 2010 version though, Skoda has decided to up the drama of the car's exterior with looks that are distinctly warm if not scorching hot. Under the bonnet, the diesel is being given the heave-ho and in its place is a 178bhp turbo- and supercharged 1.4-litre engine. You'll also be able to option for a seven-speed DSG gearbox with shift paddles mounted behind the wheel - looks like Skoda means business this time round...
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Mini Cooper S
From £17,015
We may have said it before at BuyaCar but for pure go-kart-like handling, the Cooper S with its supercharged engine and sublime chassis can even make city driving fun. Couple this with the Mini's idiosyncratic and fun interior, and you have the perfect pocket-sized ally for tackling British roads. For those who prefer their Minis hardcore, you can snap up a Mini John Cooper Works from £21,655 - while it's a little steep price-wise, the JCW's twin-scroll turbocharged engine helps shift the car from 0-62 in 6.5 secs which makes it a true pocket rocket.
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Honda Civic Type-R GT
From £20,768
When the all-new Civic was unveiled to the world back in 2007, you had to pinch yourself - Honda? Doing daring looks? It still looks futuristic from the inside and out, and look under the bonnet and you'll find the latest Honda V-TEC engine which loves being revved to within an inch of its life. The ride is firm and the steering could do with more feel but for a hot hatch that stands out for all the right reasons, the Type-R is still a crowd-pleaser.
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Subaru Impreza Sti
From £27,245
The new-ish shape Impreza has divided opinion with its hatchback looks and numb steering. But you're getting a serious piece of kit for your money - a practical four-door family car with more useable space than its predecessor thanks to its hatchback and folding-flat back seats, and a sorted chassis with Subaru's legendary AWD system plus a 2.5 turbo boxer engine kicking out nearly 300bhp that will see you to 60mph in under five seconds. That's Lambo-worrying performance...
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Focus RS
From £27,575
Its boy racer looks featuring a large twin-blade spoiler and pumped-up wheel arches filled with massive 19' alloys may not to be to everyone's taste but from behind the wheel, it's clear that the new RS is built for maximum attack. Thanks to Ford's new fangled suspension system - the RevoKnuckle - which aids the front wheels gain traction, this RS is far more manageable than the previous generation RS. Factor in its fantastic turbo-charged engine, burbling exhaust note, stonking performance (0-60 in 5.9 secs) and obscene grip, and you're looking at a future classic. And it's got a massive boot. What more do you want?
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Golf R
From £30,235 (with DSG gearbox)
The Golf's range-topping R32 was the superhot hatch that never managed to outshine the lesser-powered but more rewarding-to-drive GTi. This latest incarnation though sees VW dumping the lardy 3.2 V6 engine and going with a lighter and faster turbo-blown 2.0-litre unit. Couple that with AWD and first impressions are of a R-Golf that finally shows its younger sibling a thing or two about astonishing crosscountry pace ? but with the excitement and involvement that was lacking from the R32.
Get a quote on a Golf R today! >>
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Price TBC
Alfas may boast looks that make grown men go weak at the knees but the driving experience can sometimes be a letdown ? even its halo supercar, the 8C, came under criticism for not being the sharpest handling tool in the box. With the 147 replacement, the Giulietta, arriving here soon, Alfa is hoping to take the fight to the VW Golf and recapture some of the old Alfa driving magic in the process. The Giulietta is certainly a looker and will feature a host of petrol and diesel engines on its launch - but the one we're most interested in is the Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf); with 232bhp under the bonnet, it should be something special. Fingers crossed.
