2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
If you want to be sporty on the road, you can also do so in the compact class. The offer ranges from classics like the Golf GTI to the Renault Megane RS. We looked at five compact athletes.
The days are getting longer, the automobile trips sportier. Right at the beginning of spring, several new or revamped compact athletes are coming onto the market. An overview of the latest "Hot Hatches".
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The Grand Seigneur - VW Golf GTI
The first GTI co-founded the hot hatch segment in 1976. No wonder that he no longer has to act like a young wilder, but is the mature everyday athlete who likes the autobahn as well as the Nordschleife. The new generation expected for the summer (from around 35,000 euros) based on the Golf 8 remains true to itself, offering a non-electrified drive in addition to traditional design ingredients such as checked patterns and red radiator grille accents.
As before, in the form of a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine that now has 245 hp. Those who like it more economical can choose the alternatively offered GTD with diesel engine or the GTE, i.e. plug-in hybrid.
The perfectionist - Renault Mégane RS
While his predecessor was a really rough and purist fellow, the current Frenchman who has just been relaunched is almost a high-tech sports car in a compact car suit. Admittedly, a very sporty suit. Thick cheeks, a bulging rear and an aggressively drawn front with large air inlets make the French appear much more serious and angry than some competitors.
And the technology program also wins most of the segment comparisons with all-wheel steering and rally shock absorbers. Since the lift, the 1.8-liter turbo gasoline engine is only available with 300 hp, the version with 280 hp is no longer in the range. The prices are likely to develop towards 40,000 euros.
The eye-catcher - Honda Civic Type R
The Japanese brute athlete needs a stable self-confidence. Because even after the lift that has just taken place, the defining design feature of the five-door model remains its generously dimensioned rear wing, which makes the driver look like the worst kind of PS poser in the eyes of inexperienced passers-by.
However: the front-wheel drive five-door not only looks fast and brutal - it is too. Although the Type R with 320 PS is only in the mid-range, it still has the Nürburgring record time in its class. And he also has what is perhaps the best manual transmission on this side of the sports car league. The price: probably around 38,000 euros.
The practical one - Cupra Leon station wagon
Not a hot hatch ("hot hatchback"), rather a riot station wagon - the sportiest derivative of Seat's sports brand probably offers the most load space per hp in its class. 300 hp are available in the all-wheel top version, generated by a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine.
This is combined with a cargo area in the Golf Variant format. The Cupra is closely related to its eighth generation. And that's why there is not only the extra strong version, but also more moderate versions, including the one with the 245 PS GTI engine. And even a plug-in hybrid. Prices have not yet been determined, but will be a bit below golf level as usual. We're guessing around 40,000 euros.
The noble one - Audi S3
At its core, the Ingolstadt-based compact class Primus is the same model as the Golf and the Leon. But the new edition must and will set itself apart from the two bourgeois models: Not only with a particularly elegant interior and a more prestigious bodywork, but probably also with the chassis and drive.
A point of honor, after all, Audi is celebrating 40 years of “Quattro” this year. The S3 will therefore want to pay respect to both the all-wheel drive technology (this time very rear-facing) and the brand's sporting spirit. With engine power alone, he will not be able to set himself apart from VW and Cupra this time, it will not exceed the typical 310 hp. Price? Almost 50,000 euros. (SP-X)
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