The Final Choice - GCF's favorite Hot-Hatch 2010

[martinbo]

130i Hatch M Package

Why? Because it is the only Rear Wheel Drive and 6 Cylinder car in this category.

Well, I can see why your opinion is a good one and yet...

To many a hot hatch enthusiast, the 130i's configuration is the very antithesis of the hot hatch recipe. Hmmm, now that's something to ponder.

Having driven the 130i on occasion, I can say that its a great car but it's no hot hatch in traditional sense of the word. Feels much more like a compact 3er that it does hot hatch. Well, after all - isn't that exactly what it is.

 

[Mr Robert]

If the mk 1 GTi is the measure, none of the above would fit the hot hatch suit (in quite a few ways)...

 

[Poverty]

The VAG hatches are the best all rounders. Choose anyone to meet your needs and wallet at the time. Same shite different package.

Renault Megane R is the best driver though.

 

[Sunny]

Voted for scirroco. Pity we don't get them here.

 

[martinbo]

There's a very special recipe for a true "hot hatch" and very few cars here - in particular the RWD and AWD jobs - actually come close to addressing what a "hot hatch" ought to be all about.

 

[klier]

Well, I can see why your opinion is a good one and yet...

To many a hot hatch enthusiast, the 130i's configuration is the very antithesis of the hot hatch recipe. Hmmm, now that's something to ponder.

Having driven the 130i on occasion, I can say that its a great car but it's no hot hatch in traditional sense of the word. Feels much more like a compact 3er that it does hot hatch. Well, after all - isn't that exactly what it is.

Yeah, but I'd still consider the 1er a hot hatch. Just because it drives better than a 3er and it having RWD imo has nothing to do with that. Just because nobody makes a RWD hatch other than BMW, it doesn't mean it's not a hot hatch because of that...

If the mk 1 GTi is the measure, none of the above would fit the hot hatch suit (in quite a few ways)...

It's not, that car is 25 years old. Completely different times now.

 

[Mr Robert]

There's a very special recipe for a true "hot hatch" and very few cars here - in particular the RWD and AWD jobs - actually come close to addressing what a "hot hatch" ought to be all about.

I agree, I think my MINI Cooper S is more of a hot hatch than pretty much anything* on the list, sans the obligatory mundane origin.


*) Civic and Mégane are exempt

 

[klier]

^ Clio is more of a hot hatch than Mégane....

 

[Mr Robert]

^ Clio is more of a hot hatch than Mégane....

I must have missed that one in the list.

 

[klier]

Right...I wasn't thinking about a specific list anymore. My bad

 

[martinbo]

C'mon people. Work with me here...

What are the fundamental layout and dynamic attributes that constitute a genuine hot hatch (in the classic sense of the 30 year old concept)?

There's a particular driving style that simply won't work with a 130i, because it handles more like a RWD sportscar. Even an RS is closer to the fundamental recipe than, say, the WRX STI. It's what makes cars like the Clio and Megane RSes and the Cooper S and such much more the bonafide hot hatch. The 130i will smoke them around a circuit but this doesn't mean its more of hot hatch. I've always thought of the 130i as a hyperhatch. And that's something quite removed from the classic recipe.

 

[Poverty]

Clio 200 sport cup.

Best hot hatch money can buy at the present time full stop.

Quick, cheap, and economical.

14k gets you a brand new one, and a massive smile on your face.

 

[martinbo]

Clio 200 sport cup.

Best hot hatch money can buy at the present time full stop.

Quick, cheap, and economical.

14k gets you a brand new one, and a massive smile on your face.

Provided you live at sea level and have access to 98+ RON octane fuel. Up here at altitude the Cooper S obliterates the Clio's asphyxiated 2.0 naturally aspirated engine.

 

[Vivaki]

Clio 200 sport cup.

Best hot hatch money can buy at the present time full stop.

Quick, cheap, and economical.

14k gets you a brand new one, and a massive smile on your face.

No fuel problems here where I live so a big +1 from me

My favourite hot hatch since the current shape clio 197 came out. Doesnt look ricey so you dont look like a chav and as Poverty said quick, cheap and economical and a everytime you drive!

 

[klier]

Provided you live at sea level and have access to 98+ RON octane fuel.

Yeah, all that. Even 50 meters below sea level, hahaha.
The Clio is a fantastic little race car. I've driven one costing like 35,000 euro (insane amount for such a car) but holy hell it is awesome!!!

 

[Poverty]

Provided you live at sea level and have access to 98+ RON octane fuel. Up here at altitude the Cooper S obliterates the Clio's asphyxiated 2.0 naturally aspirated engine.

ahhh didnt think about that, obviously as its not an issue in my country.

Trouble with the mini is though the price, and the lack of space. Hot hatches are meant to be cheap, affordable pocket rockets. The mini is rather pricey, same goes for the Golf R 38k in the uk, rather spend another 4k and get a porsche or TTRS

 

[Zafiro]

I drove a Golf R DSG today. The engine sound is sick and I mean really sick. In a good way. Maybe the engine is a little linear but all in all. What an awesome machine



Did I mention the engine sound?

 

[DaSilva]

I drove a Golf R DSG today. The engine sound is sick and I mean really sick. In a good way. Maybe the engine is a little linear but all in all. What an awesome machine



Did I mention the engine sound?

I voted for the R aswell.. I've driven it too i'll have the pics...
I'll post them later... but Hot Hatch 2010 is all Golf R
I hope it was fitted with the bucket seats?

 

[Zafiro]

I hope it was fitted with the bucket seats?

Yep! the price tag for the whole car is pretty high though.

 

[klier]

I saw/heard a few Golf R on the Nurburgring last weekend. The sound was nice, but I still prefer the sound of the 130i