Premium Hot Hatches are pretty damn popular in South Africa. You’ve got Volkswagen, Opel, Mazda, Ford, BMW, Renault, Citroen and everyone else I’ve forgotten vying for your attention by fitting bigger wheels, bigger engines and bigger chin-spoilers to their pleb-hatches and then charging R100 000 more.
Although that’s sort of how it used to be. Nowadays, the top of the line hatch in a manufacturer’s line-up is generally quite special. The Volkswagen GTI for instance has grown up so much it now feels like it’s punching two classes above its weight. The Astra OPC looks ferocious and Renault can sell you car with a trick front diff for unlimited front-end traction and a Spaniard’s signature on the dash board. Mazda’s top-line offering is a bit different, however.
