In the rugged terrains of the automotive landscape, where SUVs are hailed as kings, a rebellion is thriving beneath the surface. Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the roaring revival of hot hatchbacks in 2024, in fact its already begun. As I stand here in the scorching South African sun, baking in the heat ditto emanating from the rear of the Mercedes-AMG A45 S – it’s evident that the spirit of compact, agile, and blisteringly fast machines is alive and well.
Take this A45 S, technically a hyper hatch at R1,3mil, boasting a ridiculous 310kW and 500Nm from a highly strung bi-turbo 2.0l four-pot. It’ll blitz the 100kph in 3.9 seconds and top out at 270kph, partially thanks to a super-grippy AWD system and its AMG speedshift DCT 8G transmission, both equipping it with a face-tearing launch control. It looks mega, both outside and within the leathery, illuminated living space. The cockpit goads you, the controls entice – and once you’ve selected Drive, twisted the rotary Mode selector into Sport Plus, the artillery fire commences. And pure, visceral entertainment begins. My time with the A45 coincided with a breakfast run with mates, collectors of some very serious metal and can say that even with a price as lofty as this, the hyperhatch had no problem earning the respect of its peers. Is it a hot hatch? For me personally, not at this price point – it’s certainly more than that when you consider the humble origins of the term. But the next cars, definitely are.
Leading this charge is the Toyota GR Yaris Rally, a pocket rocket that defies its size with 200kW of sheer madness. Priced at a tantalizing R840 200, it’s an automotive adrenaline shot for the spirited driver.
But the GR Yaris is not alone in this quest. Enter the Honda Civic Type R, a fire-breathing dragon with 235kW lurking beneath its hood. Yours for the taking at R999 000, it’s a symphony of power and precision that echoes through the roads of South Africa. Ok, technically it’s more coupe than hatch, but in terms of legacy, it deserves its spot here.
Hyundai’s i30 N, standing proud at R827 900, is another contender in this exhilarating contest. With 206kW at its disposal, it’s a South Korean powerhouse ready to challenge the establishment.
Renault rejoins the fray with the Megane RS 300 Trophy, delivering 221kW of pure automotive ecstasy at a price tag of R949 999. This French hot hatch is a testament to Gallic flair meeting performance prowess.
The Toyota GR Corolla, priced at R841 000, embraces the hot hatch ethos with 221kW of unbridled energy. It’s a symbol of Toyota’s commitment to injecting excitement into every corner of the automotive world.
Volkswagen, a name synonymous with the hot hatch legacy, presents the Golf GTI and Golf R. The GTI, with its 180kW engine, comes at R793 500, while the Golf R, boasting a formidable 235kW, commands a price of R945 100. These German siblings embody the perfect blend of practicality and performance.
In a world where SUVs are getting faster, it’s important to remember that the thrill of driving lies closer to the tarmac. Hot hatchbacks offer a visceral experience, connecting driver and road in a way that their bulkier counterparts struggle to match. While SUVs may dominate the headlines, it’s the hot hatchbacks that keep the pulse of driving enthusiasts racing.