Street kings to ghosts

Street kings to ghosts

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‍The hot hatch in South Africa has always been an intriguing segment, representing the best virtues of accessibility and driving enjoyment. Not that alone; hot hatches are one of the few vehicles that nail the trifecta of pace, attainability, and practicality. It is a segment with a vibrant history in South Africa, reflecting global trends while oftentimes having its own distinct South African flavour. Just a reminder, though: hot hatches are high-performance versions of ordinary hatchbacks.
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Delving into the annals of automotive history, it becomes evident that hot hatches gained considerable popularity in South Africa during the 1980s. Iconic models such as the Toyota Conquest RSi Twin Cam 16, Opel Kadett GSi, and VW Golf 2 1.8 GTI 16V played pivotal roles in this surge. The local production car racing series, known as Group N, significantly boosted the popularity of these sporty hatchbacks, cementing their status as special performance vehicles in the local market.
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The segment has evolved significantly over the years; however, recently, the segment has seen a notable decline, with several beloved hot hatches being discontinued in SA. Despite this, people continue to hold these iconic vehicles in high regard and cherish them for the benchmarks they once set. As we reflect on the past, we remember the glory days of these hot hatches, now preserved mainly in memory, with only a handful of true-to-factory-spec examples still in existence.


Audi S1 Quattro

‍The Audi S1 was a hotter version of the A1, produced between 2014 and 2018, and brought speed, a premium appeal, impressive build quality, and an all-wheel-drive system to the junior hot hatch fold. It spawned the best recipe: a lively 2.0 TF5I engine with 170kW and 370Nm of torque. Paired with the brand’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, the S1 delivered a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, a remarkable feat for such a compact car. Regrettably, like all good things, the Audi S1’s production run came to an end in 2018, and as the final chapter closed on this small but mighty car, maybe, just maybe, the iconic S1 nameplate would return to our streets one day.


Ford Focus ST & Fiesta ST

‍​​In an ambitious bid to challenge the reigning champions of the hot hatch kingdom, the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Golf GTI, Ford South Africa set its sights on the same coveted segment. The journey began with the introduction of the Fiesta ST, which made its grand entrance into South Africa with the fifth-generation model. This feisty contender quickly proved its mettle, standing toe-to-toe with the Polo GTI and Clio R.S. and cementing its place as a formidable player in the hot hatch arena. However, the tale took an unexpected turn with the seventh generation. Ford SA made the unpopular decision not to bring the ST variant to SA, citing concerns over the fuel quality required for the ST’s 1.5-litre engine and its petrol particulate filter. The local fuel simply didn’t meet the high standards for optimal performance, leaving local enthusiasts longing for what could have been. Similar concerns led to the local withdrawal of the Focus ST.


Mazda 3 MPS

‍Regarded as the energetic, fast, and agile answer to the Ford Focus ST, Megane R.S., Audi S3, and Golf GTI, the Mazda 3 MPS only lasted two generations following its initial introduction to the local market in 2007. As a hot hatch that still carries a name for itself even today, it packed a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 190kW and 380Nm in the case of the second and last generation variant. Unfortunately, Mazda discontinued the MPS around 2013 due to market factors and strategic decisions, which included focussing on other models and segments.


Opel Astra OPC

‍Pretty much what BMW’s M and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG divisions are, the OPC (Opel Performance Centre) gave us what was once a ruler in the hot hatch stable. The Opel Astra OPC became an extremely well-rounded hot hatch, offering sledgehammer-like ‘go’ and a ride quality that made it very easy to live with as a daily driver. Part of its appeal to hot hatch owners was the space and practicality it offered above and beyond its performance credentials. Also, it had a thrilling soundtrack, thanks to a high-performance 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 206kW and 400Nm. Looking at these figures, the Astra OPC was ahead of its time before it bowed out in 2015, when the fifth generation was introduced. However, we hear that the OPC nameplate could return to the fold in the coming years, albeit as an EV.

Opel Corsa OPC

‍Based on the regular Opel Corsa, the OPC version represented the brand’s smallest hot hatch offering. It mattered that much because it was intended to give the Polo GTI and Fiesta ST a run for their money. The fifth-generation Opel Corsa OPC, sadly the last to grace local shores, featured a spirited 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine generating 141kW and 245Nm of torque. A precise 6-speed manual transmission sent power to the front wheels. Visually, the Corsa OPC flaunted sharp, attention-grabbing aesthetics, highlighted by a stylish single inverted triangular exhaust pipe at the rear. Despite its allure, the brand's strategy towards EVs and shifting market dynamics both impacted the decision to discontinue the Corsa OPC sometime in 2018. Nevertheless, its cool and aggressive appearance still holds collector car potential.


Renault Clio R.S.

‍For nearly 30 years, Renault has made many performance versions of the Clio R.S., with each model excelling in its own right and making the French hot hatch a popular choice against the Polo GTI and Fiesta ST. The fourth generation R.S. variant, introduced in 2017, struck the right chords as a formidable hot hatch. It was available in two flavours: Lux and Trophy. Both packed a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with F1-derived technology; the Lux pumped out 147kW, while the latter shoved 162kW to the front axle via a 6-speed EDC transmission. In 2019, Renault axed the Clio R.S. in SA due to several factors, such as changing market dynamics as the brand transitions to become an EV maker by the year 2030. Furthermore, the global restructuring of Renault Sport into the Alpine brand contributed to the discontinuation.

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