• We drove three of the hottest hatches of 2020 earlier this year.
• The trio consisted of the Golf GTI TCR, Megane RS 300 Trophy, and i30 N.
• Each car brings something unique to the table.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
The first of the trio, the Hyundai i30 N, was launched at the start of the year. The car is Hyundai's first foray into the hot hatch game and is an attempt that warrants the utmost respect. It may not be as revered or 'respected' as the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR or Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy - the other two cars in this company - but it delivers on every level. Put your foot down and the car rockets off the line. And when you find the manual gearbox's sweet spot, it is quite a task wiping the smirk off your face.
WATCH: GTI TCR, Megane RS 300 Trophy, i30N - we pick 2020's hottest hatch of the year
The Megane RS 300 Trophy, decked in its bright yellow livery, is the most hardcore of the three, and certainly the most fun to drive. With this car, you need your wits about you to handle the improved suspension and chassis changes over the RS models beneath it, as well as the increase in power. This car will almost certainly leave you with sweaty palms, but it's a good sweat that will have you rubbing your hands dry and set about the next sweat-inducing run. Interestingly, this was the car that evoked the most praise from the test team and was ultimately chosen as our favourite hot hatch of the three.
The 'award' for the most anticipated car of the year must go to the GTI TCR. As the Golf GTI is one of South Africa's most favourite - and top-selling - cars, potential buyers were lining up to purchase their 1/300. Which they did, seeing that all the units are virtually sold out. The TCR boasts an increase in power and speed over the standard GTI, but offers a drive that does not alienate what we've become accustomed to with the GTI. By default, the GTI TCR should probably have been our pick in this company, but the team felt that the car reminds just too much of the standard GTI. More power and speed are good, but it does not excite that much. Ironic, because if it were our own money, this is where we'd spend it.
