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

[DeDe]

Hi guys.
We saw several comparos in the past few months, so I think it's time to choose our favorite Hot-Hatch. I will post several testdata with compareable Hockenheimring-times from Sport Auto and AutoBild Sportscars. Take your favorite!
(Only hot-hatches, no sedans. All cars all available in Europe. No JPN- and US-spec cars.)


Audi S3

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 265 hp, 350 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1493 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 5,8 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,6 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 5,8 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,6 m (warm)
• Basic price: €37.650,-

Audi S3 Sportback

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 265 hp, 350 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1566 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,2 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,7 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 5,9 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,7 m (warm)
• Basic price: €38.550,-

BMW 130i M-Pack

• Engine: i6, 2996 ccm
• 258 hp, 310 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1468 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,3 s
• 0-160 km/h in 14,2 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 6,7 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,7 m (warm)
• Basic price: €35.350,-

Ford Focus ST

• Engine: i5, turbo, 2522 ccm
• 225 hp, 320 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1472 kg
• Vmax.: 241 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,8 s
• 0-160 km/h in 15,5 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 6,4 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 37,0 m (warm)
• Basic price: €26.500,-

Ford Focus RS

• Engine: i5, turbo, 2521 ccm
• 305 hp, 440 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1480 kg
• Vmax.: 263 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,1 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,3 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 4,9 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,4 m (warm)
• Basic price: €35.900,-

Honda Civic Type-R

• Engine: i4, 1998 ccm
• 201 hp, 193 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1355 kg
• Vmax.: 235 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 7,0 s
• 0-160 km/h in 17,7 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 9,2 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 38,4 m (warm)
• Basic price: €28.290,-

Mazda3 MPS

• Engine: i4, turbo, 2261 ccm
• 260 hp, 380 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1469 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,4 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,6 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 6,0 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,7 m (warm)
• Basic price: €27.490,-

Renault Mégane RS Cup

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1998 ccm
• 250 hp, 340 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1407 kg
• Vmax.: 245 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,3 s
• 0-160 km/h in 14,0 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 6,5 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 35,2 m (warm)
• Basic price: €26.650,-

Seat Léon Cupra

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 265 hp, 350 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1427 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,2 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,5 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 5,6 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 35,8 m (warm)
• Basic price: €30.190,-

Subaru Impreza WRX STi

• Engine: boxer-4, turbo, 2457 ccm
• 300 hp, 407 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1519 kg
• Vmax.: 253 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 5,8 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,6 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 6,8 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 36,0 m (warm)
• Basic price: €45.400,-

Volkswagen Golf GTi

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 211 hp, 280 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1396 kg
• Vmax.: 240 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,9 s
• 0-160 km/h in 15,7 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 7,3 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 37,0 m (warm)
• Basic price: €27.275,-

Volkswagen Scirocco R

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 265 hp, 350 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1400 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,3 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,1 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 5,2 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 35,8 m (warm)
• Basic price: €33.475,-

Volkswagen Golf R

• Engine: i4, turbo, 1984 ccm
• 270 hp, 350 Nm
• 6-speed-manual gearbox
• Weight: 1538 kg
• Vmax.: 250 km/h
• 0-100 km/h in 6,0 s
• 0-160 km/h in 13,4 s
• Flexibility in 5th gear (80-120 km/h): 5,9 s
• Braking (100-0 km/h): 37,0 m (warm)
• Basic price: €37.600,-

Hockenheimring tracktimes (2,6 km):

1. 1.16,3 min - VW Scirocco R (Vmax. 177 km/h, Sport Auto)
2. 1.16,6 min - Renault Mégane RS (Vmax. 175 km/h, Sport Auto)
3. 1.16,8 min - Ford Focus RS (Vmax. 175 km/h, Sport Auto)
4. 1.16,9 min - VW Golf R (Vmax. 173 km/h, AutoBild Sportscars)
5. 1.17,0 min - Seat Léon Cupra RS (Vmax. 176 km/h, Sport Auto)
6. 1.17,5 min - Audi S3 (Vmax. 175 km/h, Sport Auto)
7. 1.17,9 min - Mazda3 MPS (Vmax. 174 km/h, AutoBild Sportscars)
8. 1.18,2 min - BMW 130i M-Pack (Vmax. 174 km/h, AutoBild Sportscars)
9. 1.18,3 min - Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Vmax. 174 km/h, Sport Auto)
10. 1.18,4 min - Audi S3 Sportback (Vmax. 173 km/h, AutoBild Sportscars)
11. 1.19,8 min - VW Golf GTi (Vmax. 168 km/h, Sport Auto)
12. 1.20,1 min - Ford Focus ST (Vmax. 166 km/h, Sport Auto)
13. 1.21,3 min - Honda Civic Type-R (Vmax. 164 km/h, Sport Auto)

 

[ree]

Wow…difficult to decide here!! Most of these cars are really great. My finalists are Golf GTI, Golf R, Renault Megane RS, Leon Cupra and quite a fan of the WRX Sti Subaru.

Well, Golf R is one fantastic machine - but 10.000 price difference to the standard GTI is a lot. Okay, the "R" has also better perfomance, 4motion etc…nevertheless the Renault offers me nearly same perfomance (without 4wd though) but for a much better price. Same for the Leon Cupra R - looks stunning as well. And absolutely mind-blowing perfomance data.

So my final vote goes to the Leon Cupra. Was a passenger in a Ibiza Cupra TDI once - and this thing was absolutels astonishing…

 

[Zonda]

Scirocco R without a doubt!
Can't wait to get my hands on one

 

[ateekt]

Indeed a hard call but ended up voting (for many reasons) for Rwd here!

 

[DeDe]

I would go with the Scirocco R. It looks fantastic in real life.

 

[Giannis]

Fanstastic thread DeDe.
I'll start with naming my criteria, for what make a hatch, a hot-hatch:

1. Looks: It has to look great
2. Engine: A hot-hatch needs enough power to dust most of the other hatches on the market
3. Handling: It has to be lots of fun
4. Ride: But it has to be useable in every day life. So it has to have a descent ride quality.
5. Room: Since it's a hot hatch and not a track weapon, it has to be at least a bit practical and roomy
6. Quality: I'm paying a lot for it and I want soft plastics and no squicks

So, I choose the S3 SB. And here are my comments:

• Audi S3: Fantastic looks, quality and descent handling. Practical, too. But with two more doors, it's the perfect everyday weapon!
• Audi S3 Sportsback: Two more doors than the regular S3, make it an everyday rocket!
• BMW 130i M-Pack: Close, but no cigar. Good looks and quality, probably the best handling, but the S3 looks more politically correct, will age better (in my eyes) and is more roomy inside.
• Ford Focus ST: Not enough power, yet it's FWD layout is fun enough! But not as fun as a Megane RS.
• Ford Focus RS: Same FWD layout, but with RevoKnuckle front McPherson suspension. So, it's too much power for the front wheels, R/K or not...
• Honda Civic Type-R: It must be a great car, but I can't stand its looks. It's very japanese.
• Mazda3 MPS: Understated looks, cheap enough, but lacks appeal. It has a front LSD though. Now, that's something worth noting.
• Renault Mégane RS Cup: Fantastic drive for a FWD car. Yet, the looks totally ruin the car.
• Seat Léon Cupra R: Same here, never liked the looks of it. But it's the same underpinnings with the Golf, so why not go for the Golf, and get rid of the "poor man's VW" badge?
• Subaru Impreza WRX STi: This car is a weapon. Fantastic 4WD system, descent power, but lacks a premium interior. It ruins the whole car. (Sorry Martin)
• Volkswagen Golf GTi mk6: Good buy, but the S3 is a better all-arounder. And looks better
• Volkswagen Scirocco R: Very fun for an FWD car, but not Megane fun. And not Golf practical. Looks great though!
• Volkswagen Golf R: Why not get an S3, when you pay so much for a 4WD Golf?

 

[MikeJ]

I'll have the Golf R. It's fast, not too shouty and (IMO) very nice to look at. Then the S3, Scirocco, Golf GTI, Focus ST in that order. The rest don't really appeal to me for various reasons.

 

[LaArtist]

Give me the renault..its kick ass fast..and its cheap
Looks good to imo

 

[Iamnotme]

I would go either for the 3-door S3 or the Golf R. Their performance is more than enough and I like their subtle look.

I would also be interested in driving the Focus RS and the Civic Type R. I only wish that they were a bit less flashy.

 

[Human]

For me the 130i M-pack is the purest car here. Fun, BMW dynamics and RWD + the sweetest engine, a BMW I6

I will admit that the Scirocco R appeals to the visual senses.

 

[klier]

1 billion percent the 130i without even looking at any of the others.

130i is the best hatch EVER made.

Audi S3: Fantastic looks, quality and descent handling. Practical, too. But with two more doors, it's the perfect everyday weapon!
BMW 130i M-Pack: Close, but no cigar. Good looks and quality, probably the best handling, but the S3 looks more politically correct, will age better (in my eyes) and is more roomy inside.

So you think the S3 has decent hadling and the 130i great handling, yet you choose the S3 because it "looks fantastic"??? Uh-oh!!!!


Also, OP, why the S3 and the S3 sportback??? Really weird. If you do that, at least put the 130i in 3-door and 5-door as well. Exactly the same cars otherwise.

 

[Giannis]

So you think the S3 has decent hadling and the 130i great handling, yet you choose the S3 because it "looks fantastic"??? Uh-oh!!!!

Maybe I didn't make that very clear.

By calling one descent and the other great, I mean that the 1er is the most fun to driver. After all it's RWD. While the A3 with its Quattro system, is also fun to driver, at least more than a FWD, but less than an RWD car, yet the Quattro system is a better all-arounder.

The A3 is also more spacious, bigger, easier to the eye, (I've grown to be a fan of it actually). It's a more understated car.

I think the S3 is a better all-around deal than the 1er. This doesn't mean that the 1er is a worse car. Both have strong and weak points.

And, fact is, you don't have to agree with me.

 

[DeDe]

[scans] AutoBild Sportscars 07/2010 - Golf R vs. rivals (datapanel + results)

 

[DeDe]

GCF's favorite Hot-Hatch 2010

After 10 days and 50 votes:


1st place: BMW 130i M-Pack (24 %) and the Volkswagen Scirocco R (24 %)


2nd place: Volkswagen Golf R (16 %)
3rd place: Audi S3 Sportback (10 %)

 

[klier]

Well, a perfect result I'd say. Something for everyone on this forum.

130i is one of my favorite Bimmers EVER.

I hope Mercedes will make a great hot hatch in the coming few years as well! They're lacking here, and missing sales.

I think the S3 is a better all-around deal than the 1er. This doesn't mean that the 1er is a worse car. Both have strong and weak points.

And, fact is, you don't have to agree with me.

Everybody keeps saying that all the time, but I don't see why a 3 door S3 is more allround than an 130i 3 door, other than perhaps when it's extremely icy outside.

Also, you don't have to say I don't have to agree with you

 

[Zafiro]

If I had the money and a new car was on the list, then I would buy a Volkswagen Scirocco R. It got the looks and performance

 

[Mr Robert]

I don't know which is the best hot hatch, but I know which I would buy with my own money - the BMW 130i.

 

[Giannis]

Everybody keeps saying that all the time, but I don't see why a 3 door S3 is more allround than an 130i 3 door, other than perhaps when it's extremely icy outside.

• Easier to the eye
• More room inside
• which comes with descent performance

 

[Deleted member 25]

No brainer, the bavarian NA L6 powered car for me.

 

[Levi68]

130i Hatch M Package

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