Pocket rockets set to touch down Fiesta XR4 ??

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Pocket rockets set to touch down
RICHARD BLACKBURN
May 1, 2010
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Renault Megane RS
Hot hatches are taking over as a popular choice for performance buyers, and the leading brands are looking to cash in. RICHARD BLACKBURN reports.

A wave of hot hatches is headed to Australia in the next 12 months, with more than 10 new models on the cards.

Turbocharged pocket rockets are usurping the traditional fire-breathing V8s on Australian roads, with Volkswagen's ever-popular GTI leading the charge.

The GTI has been a huge hit for Volkswagen in recent years, with the model making up more than a quarter of total Golf sales despite its $14,000 premium over the base model Golf.

Volkswagen will add to its hot hatch line-up in June with a Golf R and a diesel version, the Golf GTD, followed by a hot version of the smaller Polo later this year.

Stablemate Skoda is also hoping to import a pocket dynamo, the RS hatch version of its Fabia small car. The Fabia RS is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine, which puts out 132kW and 350Nm.

Audi is expected to have a go-fast model in the new A1 range, the S1, due next year.

The Volkswagen group won't have the hot-hatch market to its own, with Peugeot revealing this week it is planning to drop the smaller 207 GTi in favour of a larger model, based on the 308, that will go head to head with the Golf.

Details of the upcoming 308 GTi are yet to be announced but it is expected to get a worked version of the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine shared with sister company Citroen and Mini, tuned to develop at least 150kW.

The 308 GTi is expected to differ from its more civilian siblings by including features such as a rear-lip spoiler, dual-exhaust system and larger 17-inch alloys.

Later this year, the Golf will come under siege from the new-generation version of the Renaultsport Megane, which has shed the controversial styling of the previous Megane in favour of a more modern, streamlined look. The car, powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 184kW, is due here in September.

Renault recently released a more powerful "Cup" version of its Clio Renaultsport hatch, with a 147kW 2.0-litre engine, while it is also planning to revive its Gordini moniker for sporty hatches.

The Italians will also get in on the act this year, with Fiat launching its Abarth performance brand in the third quarter with hot versions of the baby 500 and Punto. Both cars will be powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and will feature stiffer suspension settings and sporty visual cues.

Meanwhile, the car that ignited the hot hatch craze in Australia in the 1990s, Subaru's Impreza WRX, will get a wider body and more aggressive styling in the last quarter of this year.

Subaru spokesman David Rowley says the WRX still plays a leading role in the maker's local line-up, which more recently has focused on family-oriented soft-roaders. "It's an iconic car. There's no doubt it still has a halo effect on the other cars in the range," he says.

Sales of the WRX have fallen away from its glory days but it still makes up about 15 per cent of total Impreza sales.

The top-of-the range STI version of the WRX will get a sedan variant towards the end of the year.

Toyota is also believed to be eyeing an entry into hot-hatch territory with a V6-powered version of the Corolla (called the Blade overseas) that will produce more than 200kW.

Closer to home, HSV is considering developing a hot version of the Cruze hatch, which will be built at Holden's Elizabeth Plant in South Australia from early next year. A Cruze hot hatch would fill the void left in HSV's line-up by the demise of the European-sourced, Astra-based VXR coupe.

HSV spokesman Tim Jackson says it is discussing the opportunity with Holden. "We are always looking at options in that space, but at the moment we don't have a solution in terms of delivering what is expected of an HSV vehicle," he says.

Ford is yet to replace the XR4 hatch, which was based on the previous-generation Fiesta, but the company is readying a turbocharged version of the new Fiesta.

Spy photographers have captured a hotted-up Fiesta prototype going through its paces in the US. The development car has an intercooler visible through the front grille, while other performance cues include sports wheels, a body kit and a rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipes.

Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary won't confirm the existence of a Fiesta-based performance car but says a replacement for the XR4 is on Ford's wish-list. "The XR4 did well for us and we'd love another one in the line-up," she says.

With Barry Park

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

[Matt47569]

yay massive influx of little FWD hatches.. still will never have the same feel/note as a big 8 or 6

[DJM83]

[Airmon]

The latest Motor had this and little story on this and a picture.
Just a standard-ish looking 2 door Fiesta with different wheels and a black intercooler (No plates).

Edit: 2 secs worth of google produced this and pics:

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/500...coboost-engine

Originally Posted by http://www.themotorreport.com.au

[DJM83]

I like

[DBourne]

Australia is catching up to the likes of Europe where hot hatches have been popular for decades.

Have to say, after getting one myself, they really are an eye opener!

[Gaz]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

Australia is catching up to the likes of Europe where hot hatches have been popular for decades.

Have to say, after getting one myself, they really are an eye opener!

Gotta say I've seriously considered flicking the Ghia for an xr5t, but insurance will be a few hundred more per year (guess that'll be made up in fuel ).

Finding it hard to make the switch, maybe because of the hit I'll take on resale or because the xr5's really hold their value to well. There's ones that are 2 years old with a few options for 1k less than the drive away price on a new one!!

[dannyhilton]

That car is supposed to be part of the Fiesta Movement Two, and is not an XR4. It's definitly a hot looking little car, but is no Fiesta ST/XR4. But alas, Ford is working on an ST Fiesta. My thoughts are they delayed the ST model to ready the new Focus ST so it was able to be launched around the same time as the Focus III. That and the cabrio Fiesta, and more family orientated B-MAX have taken priority to get the volume models out. They need a halo car here, especially considering all the cars you've listed. Australia is finally getting a full range of hot hatches, can't wait to see some of these little beasts.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by dannyhilton

That car is supposed to be part of the Fiesta Movement Two, and is not an XR4. It's definitly a hot looking little car, but is no Fiesta ST/XR4. But alas, Ford is working on an ST Fiesta. My thoughts are they delayed the ST model to ready the new Focus ST so it was able to be launched around the same time as the Focus III. That and the cabrio Fiesta, and more family orientated B-MAX have taken priority to get the volume models out. They need a halo car here, especially considering all the cars you've listed. Australia is finally getting a full range of hot hatches, can't wait to see some of these little beasts.

Its a turbo though you can clearly see the intercooler on the front.

[TUF_302]

It looks very fast just sitting there!, that must be a good thing

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Gaz

Gotta say I've seriously considered flicking the Ghia for an xr5t, but insurance will be a few hundred more per year (guess that'll be made up in fuel ).

Finding it hard to make the switch, maybe because of the hit I'll take on resale or because the xr5's really hold their value to well. There's ones that are 2 years old with a few options for 1k less than the drive away price on a new one!!

Even though this is a bit off topic, the 5 is a whole different kettle of fish in comparison to what you have.

I love your car and would own one in a heartbeat. They are a great cruiser.

The 5 is also a brilliant car in as much that it handles amazingly, grips amazingly (with the right tyres) and has enough go in stock guise to shock a few.

Tune it, and you start to surprise some pretty big fish (and god it's fun).

Whilst you can cruise in it, it's certainly not going to be as good as what you have atm.

[barra240t]

Would be very keen, with current spec zetec having pretty much everything a turbo engine would be the cherry on top! Only reason I got a GTi Polo instead of a Fiesta.

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Its a turbo though you can clearly see the intercooler on the front.

I don't doubt the fact it's a Turbo, these particular images have been about for months, but it's supposed to be one of the modified cars used to promote the Fiesta Movement in the US. ST test cars would no doubt be about, but I'd guess that they'd look just like regular Fiesta models at this stage.