The Octy VRS MK I has 180bhp (stock) and is a hatchback...

A hot hatch, must have a powerful engine and be a hatch.

Q.E.D.

Thats because the LCR isnt a current car

Im suprised about the results tho.. maybe us furby owners (especially shifty) are on to something

Oh. I didn't think the new Cupra's were out yet then????

Thats weird.... a Fiat Panda 100HP is better than the Octy vRS ? Somebody obviously never has driven both of them.

A hot hatch is about chuckability, great handling and above all else, fun. The Octy leaves much to be desired in the twisties, imho, but is in its element on the motorway. Go drive a Panda - you might be surprised just how much you're grinning

Chris

Power doesn't necessarily equal fun, and fun doesn't necessarily require power. I'd go as far as saying too much power can be a bad thing. :eek:

maybe becuase when they open the doors they could get washed away by all the water inside the foot wells?

:confused:

p.s I don't havr this problem on my fabia VRS tho

you will have! mine was fine for 2 1/2 years then bam!

This is getting silly! Hot hatch = a car with a hatch back thats hot!

it says no where that it is dependant on size! there isn't a small hot hatch catergory and a large so there should be no discrimination!

The octavia vrs is easily up there with the golf. its cheaper but has more space! the same engine and even though its slightly bigger the same performance! if you drive like a grandad then yes you have to take corners slower but put your foot down and slide round the country lanes at night at 70 - 80 mph and you'll be left grinning for a very long time! Not just because the octavia vrs is fun but also because you didn't die! when i drove the fabia vrs i loved it, it was alot of fun. but the boot was too small and there isn't enough leg room for any pasengers in the back so it wasn't an option! then i got behind the wheel of the octavia! its big powerful and leaves almost any other cars for dust! my brother has a new GT and compared to the octavia I'd choose the octavia every time! And I beat him every time we race down the local a303 at 2 in the morning just for fun!

I'm just glad were in front of the Sports Ka.

oh and Col your twisted

This is getting silly! Hot hatch = a car with a hatch back thats hot!

it says no where that it is dependant on size! there isn't a small hot hatch catergory and a large so there should be no discrimination!

Doesn't an Aston Martin V8 Vantage have a hatch back? Is it not on the list as it isn't hot enough!?!

The Octy VRS MK I has 180bhp (stock) and is a hatchback...

A hot hatch, must have a powerful engine and be a hatch.

Q.E.D.

Sorry mate, don't agree at all. By that reckoning, my old Saab 9000 Aero would be a hot hatch, as would have been my Saab 900 T16s, my Mondeo ST220 and a Subaru Impreza wagon would also be.

As I see it, size does matter and the Octavia is way too big and way too heavy to be classified in my book as a hot hatch - more in the sports saloon/hatch category. I'd also hardly describe my Focus ST as a hot hatch (also too big/too heavy) or the mk5 Golf.

The Fabia is far nearer to the hot hatch criteria, well it would be if it had better suspension!

Jez

Well the fabia vrs is better then the octavia VRS. Nice.

Sorry mate, don't agree at all. By that reckoning, my old Saab 9000 Aero would be a hot hatch, as would have been my Saab 900 T16s, my Mondeo ST220 and a Subaru Impreza wagon would also be.

As I see it, size does matter and the Octavia is way too big and way too heavy to be classified in my book as a hot hatch - more in the sports saloon/hatch category. I'd also hardly describe my Focus ST as a hot hatch (also too big/too heavy) or the mk5 Golf.

The Fabia is far nearer to the hot hatch criteria, well it would be if it had better suspension!

Jez

I was going for the by the book definition... Modern cars are too heavy to be true hot hatches without silly power and major suspension work to control all that weight.

This is getting silly! Hot hatch = a car with a hatch back thats hot!

Does this mean a Bugatti Veyron is a hot hatch? I think not

In EVO & several unbiased magazines (not TG) the Megane R26 comes top time and again, because it's than damn good, and sorry anyone believing the Fabia vRS is HOT obviously doesn't appreciate what real power is, by comparison every other hot hatch that could even be considered HOT are all 180 bhp+, and outhandle it. Also, put one side by side and they will pi$$ all over it, in almost all aspects. Having said that, it's getting old now and in need of a MKII Fabia vRS, prehaps then things will be different.

Also isn't the Fabia vRS a supermini technically as it's in the same bracket as the Clio, VW Polo, Seat Ibiza etc.

it says no where that it is dependant on size! there isn't a small hot hatch catergory and a large so there should be no discrimination!

It's not discrimination as it's in the list so it obviously is a "hot hatch". The trouble is compared to the other hot hatches, it's not as fun. I don't believe people measure hot hatches on their practicality, fuel ecomony, price ... it's all about the fun factor

Must get me a drive of a new Civic and a Megane

Chris

I've got a vRS (Mk1). I've had it 18 months & I love it; brilliant car!

I don't see it as a 'Hot-Hatch' though.

OK, the Octy vRS is quicker than a lot of hot hatches but it just doesn't have the feel of a hot hatch. For me that's a good thing. I wanted a quick car that was roomy, reliable & comfortable on the M-way. In my price range the Octy vRS is just about perfect.

To me 'Hot-Hatches' are a bit more raw. Noisier, with more feel & more grin factor. I can see why the Panda rates as a better 'Hot-Hatch' than the vRS. Years ago my wife had a bog standard Panda 1000CL; excellent fun to drive, especially round town.

The Octy vRS is very much a 'compromise' performance car, it goes fast but does most other things well, as well. Also, remember this is Top-Gear, not Panorama. It's 'entertainment'. It's a bit of fun. It's more about chasing ratings than studious, serious reporting. Take it with a pinch of salt.

deleted

This came from a man who bought a Type-R and traded it back in after only seven months and bought a SAAB :eek:

He knows Honda's and the scary bit is he's only 23 (must have an old head on a young body), a SAAB come on! They are great cars but belong to Mr & Mrs (40 something) Sensible.

I think it depends which Saab, mate! Both my old ones would have destroyed CTR's on most tracks. I know plenty of young Saab owners, none of whom drive sedately. Remember that Abbott Racing beat Cosworths and E30 M3's to win the UK production car champs two years in a row in the 90's with Saab 9000's and most of that technology is available in terms of aftermarket mods. Here's a pic of my 9000 Aero, which ended up with a Quaife LSD, 4 pot Brembos, power upgrades and more suspension tweeks than you can shake a stick at!

Still not a hot hatch, though...

Jez