The Demise Of The Compact Hot Hatch

The compact hot hatchback was a staple of manufacturer model lineups for a number of years.

But more and more we hear of OEMs culling small hatches from their catalogues, with consumers favouring SUVs and crossovers with higher driving positions over nimble handling and compact dimensions.

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Before the comments section goes crazy, there are exceptions to the rule, like the Volkswagen Up! GTI, but often times these are passion projects, far from profitable for the parent companies.

The number of compact hatchbacks cars on sale today represents just portion of what was once available. And most of those have also put on a fair bit of weight if compared to their predecessors.

So, while attending Pistonheads’ Sunday Service at Prescott Hill Climb recently, it was a pleasant surprise to see a bunch of diminutive cars devoid of a proper boot. Of those in attendance, three stood out for different reasons, but ultimately they flew the flag for compact hatchbacks in their era.

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The Lupo GTI was Volkswagen’s hot version of its smallest car in the early 2000s. One hundred and twenty five horsepower from a rev-happy 1.6L engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox was a recipe for fun. In order to save weight, the bonnet, front fenders and doors were all made from aluminium.

I asked each owner the same question: Why this car? The Lupo’s owner Clayton mentioned that when his dad was younger, he owned a Mk2 Golf GTI. Then years down the line, his brother bought a Mk5 R32.

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Clayton went on to say that when he was ready to go car shopping for an affordable performance VW, he came across the Lupo GTI. Fast forward 10 years and Clayton has further refined and improved upon the base platform to make an extremely capable car on track, with hundreds of Nürburgring laps along with countless other track days under his belt.

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KW V2 coilover suspension and Wilwood 4-pot front brakes sit behind ATS DCT wheels. The front fog lights are long gone, their voids used as additional air intakes.

The drivetrain has also received a host of upgrades, with the 1.6L engine receiving a ported and polished head with Piper 270-degree cams, and a full sports exhaust system. In the driveline, a lightened flywheel and Quaife LSD further improve the performance and handling.

All of this amounts to 170 horsepower, which may not seem like much until you remember this car weighs well under 1,000kg (2,200lb)

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Inside, a ‘Clubsport’ approach has been taken. Recaro Pole Position seats and SCHROTH Racing harnesses keep occupants secure, and an OMP steering wheel and Coolerworx shifter ensure all controls are comfortably reached during spirited driving.

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The Fiat 127 Special is a car I had no idea existed before seeing this example, but these were apparently incredibly popular in Europe when new.

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Originally fitted with a 1,050cc engine putting out 70 horsepower, the car’s owner Justin has since fitted a Lancia Y10 turbo motor which was a direct fit, sharing much of the design. Upping the boost to 13psi has increased power to 120hp at the wheels.

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Typical Italian engine bay design means any available space is fair game for fitting components, with no consideration to aesthetics. A later model brake booster, along with uprated discs, pads and braided lines helps bring the circa 720kg (1,587lbs) chassis to a halt. Classic Cromodora wheels further contribute to the lightweight regime.

Inside, not much has been altered, save for a Safety Devices roll cage, a bucket seat and some additional gauges. Given the original car never even came with a tachometer, Fiat 850 factory meters have been fitted.

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While not extensively modified, everything that has been done lends itself to improve the driving experience. Justin uses the car whenever possible, including trips to the Le Mans Classic and competing in the Brighton Speed Trials.

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Why the Fiat 127? As with Clayton, it was because of family, with Justin’s dad owning a variety of classic Fiats and his grandfather and uncle breaking Fiats for parts. When old enough to drive, there was no doubt that his first car would be a Fiat. A 127 Palio, to be exact.

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The final car in the trio of compact hot hatches – even though it’s not technically a hatchback – is arguably the original and, by a fair margin, the lightest.

Starting off as a Mini City E purchased in 2002, owner Nick has gradually evolved the car from completely stock to what it is today.

At first glance, the car still looks fairly standard, save for the 10-inch Mamba wheels and Yokohama Advan A032R semi-slicks. But then you notice the lack of wing mirrors and smoothed A- and C-pillar rain gutters.

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Moving to the inside, there isn’t much, intentionally. Anything that was deemed non-essential has been removed. There are two Cobra bucket seats and a Sparco steering wheel for contact points, and a compact digital dash providing all essential information. Besides the speedometer not being set up yet; that’s what the Post-it note is for…

Removing the carbon bonnet reveals an engine that is far from standard. Forty one horsepower is what this Mini came with originally, but things escalated somewhat and those diminutive wheels and tyres now have the unenviable task of putting 260 horsepower down to the ground; over five times the original output.

As a testament to the quality of the build, the custom-turbocharged engine has been in this configuration for over 10 years without issue. With space at a premium, Nick got creative and used CAD (cardboard aided design) to create the ducting for the intercooler.

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A power-to-weight ratio of 440hp-per-tonne is achieved through carbon front panels, aluminium doors, polycarbonate windows and a fibreglass boot lid.

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Nick has owned this Mini for over 20 years and has no intention to ever sell it. His first interaction with a Mini was a pull-back toy at nine years old and he longed the real thing ever since. This dream was fulfilled when he passed his driving test, only for that Mini to be stolen not long after. Thankfully, the theft did not deter Nick and as soon as the insurance payout landed, he bought the Mini we see here.

So there seems to be a recurring trend, with all three owners growing up with some form of influence over what they bought as soon as permissible.

Unfortunately, future generations of young drivers won’t know what they’re missing; cutting your teeth on cars that need a degree of upkeep, but offer great handling in a compact shape as the reward. While the future for compact hot hatches seems somewhat bleak, it just means we’ll have to look to the past to get our fix.

Chaydon Ford
Instagram: chaycore

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1

That Fiat is perfect, well done that man. Never thought id see a 127 on speedhunters!

2
Big Block Jimny

I saw a GR Yaris the other day parked next to a mk6 Fiesta ST and I couldn't believe how large the Yaris was. Even small cars are huge now. I really want another Panda 100hp. That was the most fun tiny car I've ever had.

3

The Fiat is perfect in every way, what a beautiful outlaw

4

I’ve been a fan of hot hatches for a long time, most of it not really even noticing it. I’ve owned this particular one for eight years and driving it is not only comfortable it’s also plenty fast and amazingly responsive with each subtle turn of the steering wheel. I’ve been modifying it, taking out rear seating, added cold air induction. That is a pretty cool fiat, it reminds me of some other hot hatches. The VW too…

5

Man I think we took compact cars for granted and forgot how fun they are
Yes times have changed and many of us have grown but we still have that same enjoyment and that yearning for those simpler times
I think the GR Yaris is probably the last true modern compact car we have even if it's not as compact as our childhood favorites

6

Yes! It's really only those of us that "grew" that even know the joy from lightweight yet useful yet efficient yet tossable hatches, definitely always yearning whenever someone else drive me around. Even the Jeep wrangler was smaller and had Jimny/Samurai vibes just 20 years ago, not that they're not available on the used market today...

It's these prices tho. Used market is insane, like it's trying to shout about how badly we all yearn for these mostly simpler machines, philosophical safety be damned. I guess now ppl also take driving skill and the want to learn for granted too, and just have horsepower and loud tunes make up for their major lackings.

7

Sorry Chaydon, but you put 'the Polo's owner' when I think you meant Lupo.....

8

My mum had a 127 and I enjoyed driving it. It was far better than expected. 260bhp out of a BMC reliably is crazy!

9

I have always loved hot hatches, or any peppy small call to be honest. I used to own a Mazdaspeed3 and it's probably the most fun I had in a car. Sadly here in Canada and North America as a whole, the general population prefers SUVs and Trucks, to the point where several manufacturers don't even sell cars anymore. Ford no longer sells any car in Canada other than the Mustang. I feel lost, like I have no option but to get some bloated, jacked up car— or SUV as they market it to you. It truly is sad. There's very few cars left for someone who is passionate about driving. All we are left with are soulless SUVs that make me die a little inside every time I shift it into drive...

10

Well perhaps the i20N and the peugeot 208s (only just out of manufacture) can be included in this genre, though bigger than a mini. The peugeot was sold as an R2 rally version, as a bare caged shell, with an NA engine in it (specifically for rally purposes).
My issue with all the modern cars, even the smallish ones is the complexity, the technology, which equals weight. Seriously, take out the 4-way electric seats, electric mirrors, 8 airbags, computer screens for everything including gauges (just use mechanical gauges!!), electric windows, in-built cameras and CANBUS everything. Make cars small and simple again.
The caterham 600 (recently reviewed on speedhunters as well) is a great example of simplicity. It's got like 3 gauges and no options and a tiny 660cc engine. Simple, driving, pleasure.
Down with complexity!

11

Simplicity is never coming back to the automobile. Global elites want to ban cars entirely. Having a fun, enjoyable experience is the furthest thing down on their list. If things keep going the way they are and these ruling "elite" have their way all of this stuff will be banned in a few years. It has already started...

12

I completely agree. It's out there. It's just that most people decide not to notice this kind of things.
Let's enjoy car while we can :)

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