THE CONTENDERS

VOLKSWAGEN’S REBORN POLO GTI TAKES ON A TRIO OF OUR JUNIOR HOT-HATCH HEROES

Peugeot 208 GTI

Peugeot was there in the seminal years of the hot hatch three decades ago and the 208 GTI Edition Definitive rolls everything the French maker has learned about compact and fast front-drive into a frenetic send-off for the current-gen. From its red interior touches, to the hunkered down chassis, grunty 1.6 turbo, manual-only spec and laser focus on the driver, there’s more than a hint of 205 GTI about this French finale. BASE PRICE: $31,490

Suzuki Swift Sport

Japan left Europe to devise the hot-hatch genre before jumping on board the compact hi-po front-drive freight-train. The efficiently engineered result was historically served in a visually unsubtle, high-revving atmo machine. Yet the current-gen Swift Sport, while eye-grabbing in its signature yellow, has grown into a torquer, having adopted the snail. Unbeatable value is the five-door, six-speed manual Suzi’s USP. BASE PRICE: $25,490

Volkswagen Polo GTI

By applying Volkswagen’s cut-above quality and refinement, the Polo GTI has risen in just over a decade to be one of the best-rounded hot hatches. Newly arrived current-gen GTI adopts the timehonoured big-engine-little-car approach to hothatching – the 2.0-litre features a turbo too – while applying Golf Mk7.5 polish to deliver a package with an enviable blend of pace, involvement and civility. BASE PRICE: $30,990

Renault Clio RS

Renaultsport has the Midas touch in the art of turning a front-drive grocery-getter into an affordable high-performance car. The Clio RS200 Sport benefits from the Dieppe outfit’s unflinching driver focus and immense engineering chops to deliver a little car of uncommon ability and driver appeal, with a welcome touch of Gallic flair. Don’t let the dual-clutch auto-only spec and sensible five-door body fool you – this one’s white hot. BASE PRICE: $30,990