A Bottled It! special. The five worst Hot Hatches ever made!
EVERYONE loves a Hot Hatch. Shoehorn a big engine under the bonnet of a normal, everyday car. Lower and stiffen the suspension, a quicker steering rack. Then doll it up with spoilers, side skirts, fancy wheels and even add an air scoop to it.
We love Hot Hatches because they're fast, fun, practical and attainable. There's something of a working class hero about them. Which is part of its appeal. They're all things to all men and women, where dreams of owning one can become realities. Over the years, there have been some cracking Hot Hatches.
However, there have been some equally duff Hot Hatches. That looked promising on paper, appealing propositions with the badge kudos they carried. But they turned out to be underwhelming, and something of a disappointment.
In no particular order. Here are five of the worst examples that should never have graced tarmac, let alone wear a GTi badge...
Peugeot 207 GTi
While the 206 GTi has never been as well liked as the legendary 205 GTi. It was a quick car under the very stylish exterior, albeit a bit soft, and proved to be quite popular. But the 207 GTi was even worse than the 206 that it replaced.
Even though it was better built, safer and had more space and a much improved driving position than the 206 in standard guise. The 207 was bigger, heavier and uglier with that big gaping mouth, and awkwardly shaped wheel arches. It just looked like the 206's ugly sister that ate all the pies.
On paper, the creation of the 207 GTi was off to a good start. Having a brand new turbocharged 1.6 litre THP engine producing 175bhp, which also powered the MINI Cooper S. Meaning that it had the ingredients of making a good Hot Hatch.
So what made the 207 GTi a bad Hot Hatch? Whilst it was quick, it was just too soft and roly-poly. The poise and lively feel that the 205 GTi had in making it such a great Hot Hatch, just wasn't there in the porky 207.
Regardless of good performance. The 207 GTi fell short of the mark when came to handling, agility and driver thrills. In comparison to more talented opposition such as the Renaultsport Clio and the Ford Fiesta ST of the day.
If there's anything to go by it. The 207 GTi should be treated as a cautionary tale by Peugeot. Thankfully, they learnt their lesson from that with the newer ‒ and much improved ‒ 208 GTi, but also with the latest 308 GTi. It appears that Peugeot have got back on form when making Hot Hatches. That are worthy contenders, that can compete with the finest that Volkswagen, Ford and Renault offer.
Volkswagen Golf GTi MK4
The MK4 Golf that arrived in 1998 was more grown up, refined and better built than its predecessor. Like the Peugeot 207 GTi as fore mentioned. In effect, the new Golf GTi was worse than the unremarkable MK3 that it replaced.
The MK4 Golf GTi had a 2.0 litre engine producing 115bhp. There was no increase in power from the MK3, but it was a car that piled on the pounds from being bigger and heavier than its forebear. So, it was slower and ponderous, meaning that it never it got off to a great start.
On the exterior, there was very little that distinguished the GTi model from the standard Golf. Only the eagle-eyed would notice from bigger wheels and a 'GTi' badge on the tailgate. The Golf GTi in its fourth incarnation was a GTi by name, not by nature, and a far cry from its livelier predecessors. Merely a trim level than a hot performance model.
Compared to other Hot Hatches of that time. The Ford Focus ST170, MG ZS 180, and even the Toyota Corolla T-Sport and Vauxhall Astra GSi. That would comfortably out perform and run rings round the pot-bellied Golf GTi.
VW though, did improve the lukewarm GTi. By replacing the 2.0 litre engine with a 1.8, 20-Valve, turbocharged unit. Which also became popular unit within the Volkswagen Group that also saw use in various Audis, Skodas and SEATs. The 1.8 litre engine pumped out 150bhp, so the mildly revised Golf GTi was moderately more powerful, and also a little bit quicker than the outgoing car.
Despite the improvements, the MK4 Golf GTi was more like a Chicken Korma compared to other Hot Hatches. Even those from fellow VAG Hot Hatches like the Škoda Octavia vRS and SEAT Leon Cupra R. Nullified the Golf GTi; making it look poor value for money.
VW themselves, made more powerful, and faster four-wheel-drive Golfs with the 2.8 V6 4Motion, and the R32. In an attempt to make up for lost ground from the GTi, but also to be able compete with Hot Hatch heavyweights like the Ford Focus RS and the Honda Civic Type-R.
By then, many had felt that VW had lost their mojo altogether. But to many peoples' surprise, they were back with a bang with the MK5 Golf GTi. It's safe to say since then, that the Volkswagen Golf GTi has returned and back to its former glory.
Ford Fiesta XR2i
Ford know a thing or two about making Hot Hatches. They have a good track record from how popular and how successful they have been. The Escort XR3i and the Fiesta XR2 were flying out of the Ford showrooms. The Fiesta XR2i though, was something of a lukewarm offering from The Blue Oval.
The gruff CVH engines were already rough and past it upon its arrival in 1990. So performance wasn't exactly the XR2i's strong point with the 1.6 litre fuel injected engine borrowed from the recently phased out Escort XR3i.
But in all fairness, the Fiesta XR2i was no slouch and a pretty brisk performer, and for buyers, that was enough. If you wanted a faster Fiesta, Ford made a more extreme RS Turbo. As with most Fast Fords, its rough and ready nature was part of its appeal.
The standard MK3 Fiesta that it was based on, was a half arsed effort from The Blue Oval itself. Altogether, suggesting that it was developed and made in an obsolete manner. Dynamically, the Fiesta XR2i was slated in this department for being sloppy and uncultured. CAR magazine infamously regarded the Fiesta XR2i as 'another duff Fast Ford'.
Compared to the well-established and well-received Peugeot 205 GTi. Then there's other good Hot Hatches like the Renault Clio Williams and Volkswagen Polo G40. The Fiesta XR2i looked and felt stodgy in comparison. It was one car, that was in no threat of stealing the 205's crown and thunder. That wouldn't have had Peugeot bosses losing sleep either.
Despite the less-than-favourable reviews of the Fiesta XR2i. They were popular Hot Hatches. Thanks to a car that was a slickly marketed and competitively priced. With good looks, on-paper performance, the kudos and kerbside appeal that came with having a Fast Ford. With The Blue Oval having a wide dealer network, and the Fiesta (as with most Fords) being a cheap car to buy, own and run.
Ford though, did respond to its criticism, and made improvements to the XR2i when the MK3 Fiesta was given a mid-life update in 1992. The old CVH lump was replaced with the new twin-cam, 16-valve Zetec engines. The RS models also got the new Zetec units, and the RS Turbo was subsequently renamed as the RS1800. Due to the fact that Ford replaced the turbo-charged engine with a naturally-aspirated unit.
Ford though, had learnt their lessons from being rather too complacent when making the MK3 Fiesta. Warm and quick Fiestas that arrived in the future such as the MK4 Fiesta Zetec-S, and recent Fiesta STs are proven and well-known examples.
MG Maestro 1600
To try and inject some pizzazz and give the frumpy Maestro some much needed street-cred. Austin Rover made a performance model by slapping an MG badge on it. Which was much to the dismay of some MG enthusiasts mourning the demise of the MGB, and the closure of the Abigdon factory. Of which they (and cynics) would see as nothing more than a marketing ploy.
While the MG 1600 models were brisk performers, but the Escort XR3i, Astra GTE and Golf GTi were quicker Hot Hatches. To add insult to injury, they had more kerbside appeal than the Maestro.
But image and performance figures were the least of the Maestro's problems. The R-Series engines that powered the MG 1600 though, were woefully unreliable. The Weber carbs always malfunctioned, and they always had trouble running or starting when engines were running up to temperature and got very hot – of which they often did!
Oh, and didn't I tell you that MG Maestro 1600s came with digital dashboards that could talk? Voiced by actress Nicolette MacKenzie, it was nothing more than a gimmick that often cried wolf. Which gave many Maestro owners a headache.
Austin Rover though, hastily carried out updates to the MG Maestro to address these problems. The 1600 was replaced with the much-improved EFi models. The temperamental 1.6 R-Series engine was replaced with a more powerful (and more reliable) 2.0 litre O-Series unit.
Prior to that, the Volkswagen-derived gearbox that often divided opinion, was replaced with the slicker Honda-sourced PG1 gearbox. As well as further tweaks to the brakes, suspension and chassis set up. Thankfully, the oddball talking dashboard was also dropped and the red seatbelts remained available with the sporty Maestro.
It all resulted the MG Maestro EFi being a much better car all round for it. That was a fun, practical and capable Hot Hatch in its own right that could hold its ground against its chief rivals. A worthy alternative to the Escort XR3i, Astra GTE and Golf GTi.
There was even a more powerful, quicker and highly sought after MG Maestro Turbo. Launched in 1989, of which they made and sold only 505 examples. Five of which were press cars. Which would have given the Escort RS Turbo, Astra GTE 16V, and Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth a run for its money.
However, there was no getting away from the fact that this car was a Maestro. The car's reputation for patchy reliability and fragility lingered on. From the teething problems that earlier cars had. The damage was done and the Maestro didn't recover from it. Image conscious buyers of the day, simply couldn't and wouldn't overlook its iffy image.
Fiat Stilo Abarth
After an absence of Scorpion tails on Fiat's performance models. The iconic Abarth name made a comeback on the Fiat Stilo. For anyone expecting an exuberant Hot Hatch with adrenaline-pumping thrills that the loud and proud Strada/Ritmo Abarth did. Then they would be in for a disappointment.
Given how bland and uninspiring the standard car was. A hot Abarth model, was one that could have added some much needed zest to the Stilo range. Sadly it wasn't to be. As Fiat's idea of a Hot Hatch with the Stilo Abarth was poorly executed.
They didn't bother to make it look sporty or aggressive. Only some larger wheels and a Scorpion tail badge on the tailgate, and err...that's about it. There was very little that set the Abarth model apart from the standard Stilo. Not a great start. No spoilers, no bodykits, and rather like VW's lazy effort with the MK4 Golf GTi mentioned previously. Given the impression that not much time and effort was put into sprucing up the Stilo.
Fiat just simply slotted in a 2.4 litre, 20-valve, five-cylinder engine into the Stilo. But its modest power output of 170bhp. and a 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds was underwhelming. Meaning that it fell way short of the mark in comparison to a number of Hot Hatches of the day. To add insult to injury, rivals like the Ford Focus ST170 and the Honda Civic Type-R were not only quicker, but more talented and entertaining Hot Hatches than the lukewarm Stilo Abarth.
Worse still, the Stilo Abarth was only available with the Selespeed automatic transmission. Of which there has been horror stories from buyers and the press who had one. Fiat though, did rectify this by making the Stilo Abarth available with a six-speed manual gearbox. While that was an improvement, the damage had been done and it was too little too late.
If there's anything to go by it. The Stilo Abarth was one performance car from Fiat that was simply not worthy of wearing the Scorpion Tail. It was lazily put together, and a cynical attempt of giving the Stilo some much needed street cred.
In the following years, Fiat had re-launched Abarth models and came back with a sting on its tail with Abarth 500 and Grande Punto. It seems that they have learnt their lesson from the Stilo Abarth, and treated it as a cautionary tale.
Do you agree with this list?
Which was the worst of this crop? If not, what do you reckon were the worst Hot Hatches ever that should have made this list? Let us know, by leaving your comments below...
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