Most of the S1's
small hot hatch alternatives use smaller 1.6 - litre engines so they have the potential for greater fuel efficiency when resisting the urge to use their performance.
The Ford Fiesta ST wasn't just the best car in its class when new, it also ranks among the very
best small hot hatches of all time in our book.
Ford created something of a legend with the last Fiesta ST.. It's one of the best
small hot hatches ever, which means improving upon it with a new car is a tough task.
The S1 is also one of very
few small hot hatches that can be specified with five doors in the form of the S1 Sportback.
The non-Performance Pack Corsa VXR is still a
capable small hot hatch, but stripped of the LSD, bigger brakes and the firmer suspension tune it's frustrating at the point where the Performance Pack model really comes alive.
It has become harder though, as the OEMs have increased their sizes; we're in an era
where small hot hatches come on 18s as standard.
Just like the Fiesta ST the ST200 is a class -
leading small hot hatch, but the Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport does offer a similarly entertaining driving experience, albeit without the same touch of class.
This first drive was just a brief taster on a low - speed handling circuit, so although we weren't able to learn everything we wanted to about the R.S. 16 there are still good reasons to believe it could be the fastest, most
exciting small hot hatch ever.
Priced from $ 27,490 plus on - road costs, Volkswagen's
smallest hot hatch reintroduces a six - speed manual transmission to the range and brings a seven - speed dual - clutch automatic as a $ 2500 option.
>> Peugeot returns with its fourth - gen GTi We drove Peugeot's new 208 GTi at its global launch in France in April and came away impressed with it as a quick and
comfortable small hot hatch, but not as a spiritual successor to its lauded forebear, the legendary 205 GTi.
Opel took what was good on the previous - generation Corsa OPC and refined the formula until it came up with one of the
finest small hot hatches money can buy.
Ford's
smaller hot hatch offers sharp, precise handling and plenty of power while at the same time delivering good fuel economy and even a little cargo space.
The very best
small hot hatches, though — namely the Fiesta ST and 208 GTi — are even more engaging to drive because there's yet more inherent adjustability and agility in their chassis.
«
Small hot hatches are often quite tiresome over long distances, but the S1 is refined and comfortable.
It's the most appealing everyday proposition in
the small hot hatch class and its cabin quality is well beyond that of a Ford Fiesta ST or Vauxhall Corsa VXR, but you do pay for it.»
It feels far too grown - up for
a small hot hatch, especially one from the same stable that bought us the insanely fun Clio 200 Cup, Megane R26.R and Twingo 133 Cup.
The cabin might be a little too fussy in its details for some, but the aggressive exterior styling hits all the right notes for
a small hot hatch.
But just as Renault Sport lost its way when it came to
small hot hatches, other manufacturers upped their game.
The S1 doesn't have any direct rivals because it combines big hot hatch performance (and price) with
a small hot hatch footprint, but it's a very easy car to recommend nonetheless.
The Ceed GT sits well below its perceived rivals — the VW Golf GTI in particular — price-wise, though with a smidge over 200bhp, it's also down on power, its performance closer to
the small hot hatch class than the larger rivals it compares to.
The 208 has the most engaging chassis of
any small hot hatch currently on sale and could teach most of the class above a thing or two about adjustability and fun, too.
The Ford Fiesta ST (179bhp, # 16,995) and Ford Focus ST (247bhp, # 21,995) mightn't look as interesting or have as much equipment, but both are quicker and more exciting, the former especially impressive and the current leader of
the small hot hatch pack.
The Adam S may be
the smallest hot hatch in Opel's stable, but don't underestimate it: it's a true pocket rocket.
The Ford Fiesta ST is, quite simply, the best
small hot hatch you can buy.
Better news is that every Yaris sold in the UK carries a five - year / 100, 000 - mile warranty — by far the most generous of
any small hot hatch.
Ford includes cylinder deactivation in the new ST, which kills fuel and shuts the valves on one cylinder in an effort to help
the small hot hatch sip more fuel.
But for 2018, Renault is endowing
its smaller hot hatch — the Clio RS — with the opportunity to bear the nameplate of its Formula 1 counterpart.
But again, can we really justify spending $ 85 - $ 95k on
a small hot hatch / coupe?
The optional Cup chassis (ride height lowered by 4 mm) is an exceptional feature in New Twingo R.S.'s class, - big brakes: 280mm - diameter front discs and 240mm - diameter rear discs, - unique for
a small hot hatch: the optional R.S. Monitor, a functional and fun on - board telemetry system.
this should make
the small hot hatch the fasted car Hyundai has ever made with a 0 - 100 km / h time of around 5 seconds.
The smallest hot hatch in Opel's lineup is a pleasant surprise.
Unfortunately, instead of fully revealing the car,
the small hot hatch sported a chequered camouflaged that was created to confuse the eye.
The Audi S1 is one of
the smallest hot hatches in the world, so it's not unusual to see one driving flat - out on the track.