With the current fuel situation looking bleak at best, now may not be the best time to go out and buy a high-performance hot hatchback, but it is good to know what your options are.
South Africans have always had a fondness for hot hatches, with models like the Golf GTI, Audi RS3, and Mercedes-AMG A45 held in particularly high regard for years.
While these are seen as the pinnacle in their own segment, their performance rivals even sport sedans and other high-performance vehicles.
South Africa’s favourite hot hatch returned with an all-new model this year, when the Golf 8.5 GTI finally landed after a long delay and fears that it might not even arrive.
This time around, the German carmaker boosted the 2.0-litre TSI motor’s power output by 15kW to 195kW, and still boasts 370Nm of torque.
This increased power output allows the Golf 8.5 GTI to sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in only 5.9 seconds, while its top speed has been electronically limited to 250km/h.
Interestingly, this makes the newest Golf GTI only marginally quicker than the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works, which shares a limited 250km/h top speed, and can reach 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
Neither of these is at the top of the hot hatch speed tree, as this crown belongs to the Audi RS3 Sportback.
It must be noted that it too is limited to 250km/h, but optional performance packages will allow the German hot hatch to sprint to 100km/h in a brisk 3.8 seconds before it tops out at 290km/h.
South Africa’s hottest hatches
The hottest hatches will likely always have a place on South Africa’s roads, regardless of what the petrol price outlook is.
Below is a list of the fastest hot hatchbacks in South Africa right now by top speed.
Click on their underlined names to learn more about each model.
1. Audi RS3 Sportback Quattro
- Top speed – 290km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.8 seconds
- Power – 294kW/500Nm
- Price – R1,498,200
2. Honda Civic Type R
- Top speed – 272km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 5.5 seconds
- Power – 235kW/420Nm
- Price – R1,021,600
3. Mercedes-AMG A45 S
- Top speed – 270km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 3.9 seconds
- Power – 310kW/500Nm
- Price – R1,461,469
4. BMW M135
- Top speed – 250km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 4.9 seconds
- Power – 233kW/400Nm
- Price – R988,767
5. VW Golf GTI
- Top speed – 250km/h
- Acceleration (0-100km/h) – 5.9 seconds
- Power – 195kW/370Nm
- Price – R908,000
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