A great hot hatch should put a smile on your face as you blitz the back roads, yet also double as practical daily transport. Ford thinks it's on to a winner with the new Focus ST, but can the Golf GTI and Astra VXR teach it a lesson.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI

The Establishment. The car that sparked the hot hatch revolution and still a name that commands respect. How will the latest Golf GTI handle the arrival of these young upstarts...more

VAUXHALL ASTRA VXR

The lout from Luton. It has the most power, the wildest styling and the most attitude of our quartet. Can anything block the VXR's turbocharged strike for the hot hatch crown...more

FORD FOCUS ST

It's hard to miss Ford's lurid orange attacker. Will its performance pack as much punch as those day-glo looks, and has Ford transformed a family car into a true tearaway...more

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