Top 5 Hot-Hatchbacks

       Hot-Hatch, it all started in the mid-70s when Renault launched the Renault 5 Apline and Volkswagen came out with the Golf GTI. The concept is very simple...take your average run-of-the-mill small family car put in a bigger engine, a couple of beefy turbos, stiffen the suspension, add race spec brakes and don't forget the body kit with macho wheel arches...and tadaaa!! you have a Porsche munching 4 seater with space for your groceries and in-laws' suitcases!! It couldn't get simpler and well frankly this also was the death knell for many of the historic British sport car manufacturers.
     Today almost every significant player in the European market has their own hot version of their major small cars. So let's see out of the plethora of cars available which hot-hatches actually prove their might and worth. This list is not according to rank but just the top 5 out there...

Renault Sport Clio:

   The French being one of the pioneers in hot-hatches always have at least one car out there that blew peoples mind. The Clio Sport is a small little mouse; but fast as hell. Speedy Gonzales of the five here. With almost 200bhp available, it easily takes you from standstill to a 100 in 6.9 seconds and will keep on going till 227kmph. Handling wise it's pretty well sorted and easily one of the best in here. A quirky looking small French hatch but with the rage of a drunk Irishman.

Volkswagen Golf GTI:

      Some say this is the mother of all hot-hatches, from where it all started. The original 1976 Golf GTI was just perfect, German reliability with great performance. No wonder people in the UK started ditching their good old but largely unpredictable Jensens and Triumphs for this new breed. The Golf now in its 6^th avatar produces 207bhp, 0-100 in 6.9 seconds and capable of going up to 250kmph. After being honed for more 30 years the handling et al has been almost perfected and in addition you get the solidity of the brand Volkswagen. A car for the level headed enthusiast.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI:

      Born in the dust and gravel of the World Rally Championship and driven by the legendary late Colin McRae, this is a car that has been around for almost 20 years. For a lay man this car and the Mitsubishi Evo have been the face of the WRC for long. Blistering fast performance from an almost 300bhp flat-4 engine, enough to propel the car to 100kmph under 6 seconds. With all-wheel-drive and drive systems that are equally at home on the snow clad twisties of the Alps and the highways, you can be Dr Jekyll during your daily commute and Mr Hyde when you feel like a drift baboon.

Volkswagen Scirocco R:

    The Scirocco R is the beauty in this lot. Basically it is a VW Golf GTI with a different body bolted on. So this in everyday terms means that it is a good serving of hot chocolate on your humdrum vanilla ice-cream. It also comes with a power boost and develops a healthy 261bhp and when coupled with the dual clutch DSG gearbox hits 100 in 5.8 seconds. With the low roof line and coupe like styling, it is not as practical as the Golf, but gives what the Golf lacks...that zing! An obvious choice if you want everything that the Golf GTI gives, with a lot more style and a meatier punch!

Ford Focus RS500:

    One of the meanest and coolest hot-hatches out there I believe. The RS500 is based on the splendid Focus RS, which is based on the brilliant Focus. Awesome squared, one might say. To maintain exclusivity only 500 have been built. With 350bhp on tap, it is capable of hitting 100kmph in 5.6 seconds and can reach 263kmph and has exceptionally good handling. The Focus RS itself is a very critically acclaimed car and has received many laurels from the automotive industry. The RS500, something that even Batman would crave for...now that's something!


-Gaurav Singh