What Is The Difference Between Analog And Digital? (Part 2)

Watching deputy editor Mike Fourie’s head bob from side- to-side while driving the Fiesta ST ahead of me in convoy, it’s clear the Ford has taken over the mantle as the most restless and spirited hot hatch in everyday driving conditions. With a Cup chassis fitted, including its rally-derived smaller secondary dampers working within the main unit, the Clio certainly matches the 208 GTi in terms of compliance and composure.

In stark contrast to the Fiesta, the Polo is easily the least fussed and most comfortable of the four on the long road.

Turning off the road most travelled, the ST may feel (and sound) as though it’s scurrying off into the distance, but a glance in the mirrors reveals all three of its rivals keeping pace with relative ease. While the Ford’s tippy-toe stance, quick steering, high grip levels and trick torque- vectoring-control system allow for precise turn-in and seat-of- your-pants exuberance, there’s enough dynamic engineering experience in all three of its rivals’ stables not to be outfoxed when the going gets twisty.

Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

If there’s a surprise among the chasing pack, it’s from the manufacturer that has arguably been out of the genuine hot-hatch game the longest. The 208 GTi manages the compromise between everyday usability and fast-paced action as well as, if not slightly better than, its compatriot. With its optional Cup chassis fitted (including 15% stiffer dampers), there isn’t as much body roll evident in the Clio, but the 208 also offers high levels of grip, as well as a welcome balance and poise to its cornering abilities once it hunkers down. Renault has afforded the Clio a clever limited-slip differential-mimicking ESP sys-tem able to brake (without cut-ting power) either front wheel to match the speed of the rears.

In this company, the Polo feels easily the heaviest on its feet (even with the least amount of standard equipment) but, that said, there is reward to be had by adopting a more fluid, slow-in, fast-out approach.

Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC’s interior

As CAR track tester Deon Joubert noted, both double-clutch transmissions can be confused by frenetic throttle inputs. The tardy reactions of the Clio’s “box’s normal mode are forgot-ten once race mode is selected (also remapping the engine and throttle settings), but having the paddles fixed to the column, as well as the “box’s reluctance to being told what to do, are frustrating. That an experienced hand behind the wheel of the 208 GTi was able to get the better of the Clio’s launch control and dual-clutch shifts over a quarter-mile run during a video session added further food for thought.

There wasn’t a tester at the track who didn’t return with a smile after a drive in the Fiesta ST and a look of genuine surprise after a spin in the 208 GTi.

And so, we come to line-in- the-sand time. This is a Performance Shootout and these cars are marketed as hot hatches. The fact that we’ve sampled a powerful, manual VW Polo (in the R WRC special) leads us to believe there is certainly potential for Volkswagen to come to the party and live up to the GTI badge. Until then, or until the next generation, the Polo GTI remains a warm hatch. Like its big brother Golf, it ticks all the boxes without being spectacular.

Volkswagen Polo GTI DSG

We had our moments in the Clio RS. There were times when the transmission synced perfectly with our go-faster intensions and the superb chassis showed us glimpses of what we’ve come to love about fast Renault hatches. The French company has made it clear that the new- generation RS is more of a practical, everyday hot hatch than its track-focused predecessor. Judged by those terms, Renault has been successful. What the local importer will charge for its more practical and frugal new RS-badged model is going to be interesting (no official word at time of print). By our reckoning, the new Clio RS, with Cup chassis, will be knocking on the door of R300 000.

And that’s R40 000 more than the biggest surprise of this Shootout. The 208 GTi is fast, agile, comfortable and very good.

However, the spoils go to the remaining hot hatch. It’s debatable whether the Fiesta appeals to the same age group as the other, more practical and ultimately comfortable options in this group, but on some of the curvy roads on our route, and certainly the tight Dezzi Racetrack, the feisty, nimble, unintimidating and highly addictive ST threatened to steal the entire show.

Volkswagen Polo GTI DSG’s interior