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Cape Town - Hot hatches are extremely popular, combining practicality with affordable sports performance.
Sure there are some fire-breathing hot hatches roaming the streets today but would you able to recognise their often humble origins?
Check out these five hatches and compare the old with the new by clicking on the images.
1. Volkswagen Golf GTI
The GTI range is one of South Africa's favourite vehicles and many of MK1 GTI's are still roaming the countryside. Its sporty looks, epic performance and practicality makes the GTI one of the most well-balanced cars in the market.
2. Honda Civic (Vtec, Type-R)
Often listed as a direct rival to the GTI, the Honda Civic has always appealed to purists with designer street-race cred. Much like the Mk1 GTI, older spec Civic's are still very much prevalent on roads and in the underground racing scene in SA. The Civic Tyre R featured in the picture below was a well-known vehicle in Cape Town's car-club circles. It belonged to Wheelworx owner Zaki Hendricks, image taken by Adrian de Vries.
3. Audi S3
Over the years, Audi has drastically improved its hot hatch range, with its S3 being one of the most attractive hatchbacks available locally. The 1998 S3 produced a punchy 132kW, which is a small number compared to the 228kW powered 2017 S3 Sportpack.
4. Ford Focus RS
The RS brand is a name that has been closely associated on the world rally scene, and Ford's track-tuned monster is the closest you can get to a rally-tuned vehicle. Now, it's one of the most powerful hatches on the market, the 2017 Focus RS produces a powerful 260kW from its 2.3l EcoBoost engine.
5. Renault Clio RS
The Clio RS we see today has made major strides from its 'super mini' debut back in 1991. The quick 142kW engine used in the Clio RS today makes it for one of SA's favourite hatches currently.
Here are the hatches: Old vs new
