Vertu's Top Ten Hot Hatches
Recent weeks haven’t been the best for fans of high-performance hatchback cars in the UK.
First up, Ford announced that it is no longer possible to order a new Focus ST ahead of production ending later this year, with Honda then revealing that the Civic Type R will be withdrawn from sale anywhere in Europe as a result of changing emission regulations.
It means two of the most iconic performance hatchbacks in recent memory join the list of those that are now only available on the second-hand market, and got us thinking about our favourite hot hatches from through the years...
Volkswagen Golf GTI:
The MK1 Volkswagen Golf GTI was one of the first cars to be classed as a hot hatch when it hit showrooms back in 1976 and was very much understated compared to the cars that would follow – with a small spoiler at the front, slightly wider wheel arches and tartan upholstery.
Power initially came from a 1.6 litre engine offering 108bhp married to a four-speed gearbox, with a five-speed ‘box then following in the late 1970s before the introduction of a larger 1.8 litre engine in the early 1980s.
By modern day standards, the Mk1 Golf GTI wasn’t necessarily the quickest of cars but it was fun thanks to the fact it was so light - and serves as a reminder of a time when cars were much simpler and provided a raw driving experience.
For one of the very best early cars, you’ll be looking at spending more than £25,000 but you should be able to pick up a later Mk1 for half that.
Renault 5 Turbo:
If the Mk1 Golf GTI was understated, the Renault 5 Turbo was anything but when it hit showrooms in the early 1980s.
Created to meet homologation rules so that Renault could compete in the World Rally Championship, the R5 Turbo featured more aggressive styling on the outside and was a different beast altogether under the skin.
Rather than being front-wheel drive with the engine under the bonnet, the R5 Turbo was mid-engined and rear-wheel drive – with the 1.4 litre turbo-charged engine putting out nearly 160bhp.
An R5 Turbo 2 would follow before production ended, with it not unusual to now see original cars changing hands for six-figure sums.
Lancia Delta Integrale:
The Lancia Delta Integrale was another hot hatch that was born from competition and turned what was a largely nondescript Italian hatchback into one of the most iconic cars of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
With its roots in the Group A era of the WRC, the Delta Integrale would not only become of the most successful cars in series history, with multiple championship titles, but would also become hugely popular as a performance car for the road.
Through the years, development of the Delta Integrale would see the styling become ever more aggressive with the addition of a wide bodykit, large spoiler and powerful 2.0 litre engine producing more than 200bhp.
Unlike cars that had come before the Delta Integrale was four-wheel drive, with later Evo models capable of nearly 140mph. These are the cars that command big money on the modern market.
Peugeot 205 GTI:
Ask anyone to name five hot hatches and there is a good chance that the Peugeot 205 GTI will make the list.
Initially offered with a 1.6 litre engine before a more powerful 1.9 litre unit also joined the range, the 205 GTI was another car that wasn’t famed for being quick but instead made the most of the fact it was light to provide drivers with go-kart like handling.
In short, it was a car that was fun to drive then as much as it remains fun to drive now – which is why the 205 GTI is widely regarded as being one of the very best hot hatches or the 1980s.
Prices have fluctuated a lot through the years but a 205 GTI can now be yours for as little as £10,000.
Renault Clio Williams:
There are a number of different incarnations of the Renault Clio that could have featured on this list – such as the monstrous Clio V6 VRS that was launched in 2001 – but instead we go back to the early 1990s, when the Renault Clio Williams appeared in showrooms.
Created to allow Renault Sport to take the Clio rallying and taking its name from the famous F1 team that was powered by Renault engines at the time, the Clio Williams was instantly recognisable thanks to its metallic blue paint scheme with gold wheels, whilst extensive work went in under the skin.
As well as a 2.0 litre engine pushing out nearly 150bhp, the car benefitted from tweaked suspension, a revised gearbox and slightly wider track – all in a lightweight package that provided fun by the bucket load.
Second and third generations of the Clio Williams would follow, but it’s the original cars that now command the highest prices are the most sought after.
Ford Focus RS:
The first of two ‘Fast Fords’ in this list, the Mk1 Ford Focus RS is regarded as a modern icon amongst hot hatches that was inspired by the cars competing in the World Rally Championship at the time.
Compared to the standard Focus, the RS was fitted with a modified 2.0 litre engine pushing out more than 200bhp and benefitted from a raft of new parts – with more than 70 per cent of the components being bespoke for the car.
With a wider track than the standard car, lowered suspension and aggressive - but understated – design, the RS was a popular car when new that was praised for its handling prowess and remains one of the very best high-performance versions of the Focus.
An appreciating classic, the Mk1 cars make good money when a good one comes up on the used market.
MINI Cooper JCW GP:
The original Mini Cooper of the 1960s could be seen as something of a pre-cursor to the hot hatches that followed, and there have been a number of ‘hot’ MINIs that have hit the road since BMW relaunched the brand back in 2001.
One of the most exclusive is the John Cooper Works GP that was launched in 2006 to celebrate the end of the first generation MINI and was very much a Cooper S taken to the next level.
The GP came with just two seats, with the rear seats removed as part of a weight reduction process that saved around 40kg compared to the regular Cooper S.
With 215bhp from the supercharged engine under the bonnet, the 2006-spec GP was very much a pocket rocket that remains popular on the used market.
Ford Fiesta ST:
Our second Fast Ford is another modern-day classic in the shape of the Fiesta ST, which remains a relatively cheap to run option for anyone who wants to have plenty of run behind the wheel.
Small and light but with plenty of power under the bonnet, the Fiesta ST was widely praised for its handling, a slick gearshift and the fact it was affordable from new, with the Mk7 version of the car being particularly well received.
The Mk8 variant with a new, three-cylinder engine, was a step forward in terms of performance but was still able to deliver nearly 50mpg, which made it one of the most usable every day cars on this list.
It’s not the perfect hot hatch but the Focus ST does a lot of things very well, and can be picked up at a bargain price on the second hand market.
Honda Civic Type R:
Given the demise of the Honda Civic Type R was a catalyst for this article, we couldn’t miss it off the list, with the current FL5 model being widely regarded as the best of a very good bunch.
Every version of the Civic Type R remains popular in its own right but the FL5 took all of the best bits of the blisteringly quick FK8 and put it all within a more visually appealing package.
The FL5 is far from a cheap option, coming in at more than £50,000 when new, but provides drivers with stunning levels of performance and fantastic handling that means it is a joy to drive on a twisty B road and comfortable cruising on the motorway.
Capable of more than 170mph and holder of numerous lap records, it’s one of the ultimate hot hatches and a car that is set to secure a place as one of the all-time greats in the category.
Toyota GR Yaris:
We round our list off with another modern-day classic in the shape of the Toyota GR Yaris – a car that carries the Yaris name but couldn’t be more different than the small hatchback on which it’s based.
The GR Yaris has had plenty of magic dust sprinkled on it by Toyota Gazoo Racing – the people who have been responsible for turning the Yaris into a car that has now won multiple titles in the World Rally Championship.
The first versions of the car offer more than 260bhp and the latest incarnations having an impressive 280bhp – with a four-wheel drive system that helps to provide stunning handling on the road and the option of either a manual or automatic gearbox.
The fact that the Yaris was always a small car to start with means it isn’t as usable as some of the competition given the small boot and limited rear space, but there are few cars on sale that will provide more smiles when you get behind the wheel.