THE CCW VIEW

First things first. All four are heavenly fun on B-roads. But they’re also hellishly expensive for the best examples. As such, picking a winner is tough.

The Escort XR3 might be 40 years old this month, and the UK-developed injected version might have released some of its unfulfilled potential, but it can’t win in this encounter. In fact, it can’t come anywhere else than in last place due to the brilliance of the cars it’s up against. That doesn’t stop it being great fun on smooth roads, and the sharpest-looking car of the lot – but oh, that engine… The Volkswagen Golf GTI deserves the win as the best all-rounder of the three and for kickstarting the hot hatch movement. For me, it comes third because of its poor brakes and surprising fragility. The Peugeot finishes in a strong second thanks to its gorgeous, timeless styling and brilliant steering. But it ends up being pipped by the

Vauxhall because it’s a brittle thing that could have been all the better for having been made in Germany.

So, it’s a surprise win for the shortlived Astra GTE MkI – a car which seemed to take all the best bits of the fast Golf and Escort to create something really rather special. You’ll struggle to find a good one now, and pay through the nose when you do, but it’ll be worth the effort. However, stick the Volkswagen’s engine, Peugeot’s steering and the Astra’s suspension in the Escort XR3i’s shell and you’d go even better – that really would achieve a heavenly slice of hot hatch perfection.