Although the US have Always been exposed to the Japanese automobile industry,
allow me to say that the best "hot hatches" actually come from European manufacturers of the 1970's and 1980's...
...and they should Always be road tested in their natural "European" state of tune,
without smog heads, lean burn emissions and catalytic converters to foul up performance and "steal" rpm from the power band.
Google the following cars:
From the UK:
- Sunbeam Tiger
- Ford Escorth Mexico and RS (1970's rwd)
- Ford Escort Cosworth and RS (1980's fwd)
- Ford Sierra Cosworth
- Vauxhall (Opel) Corsa SR
- Triumph Dolomite Sprint (OK it's a 4-door sedan, but compare its tech specs with the Ford Maverick...!)
From Germany:
- VW Polo G3
- VW Golf G5
- VW Golf VR5 or VR6
- BMW 2002 TIi (Touring was its hatchback version, else it was a 2-dr sedan)
From France:
- Peugeot 205 Rallye
- Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6, 1.9
- Renault Clio Williams
- Talbot Sunbeam Lotus (a much more wicked car than the UK-made Tiger)
From Italy:
- Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI/Sprint 1.5, 1.7
- Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5 V6
- Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (a whopping 240bhp 3.2liter V6 !!!)
- FIAT Ritmo Abarth
- Lancia Delta Turbo, Integrale and 4WD (beasts !!!)
All in all, perhaps none of these would make an american V8 muscle car look twice at the traffic lights...
...challenge them on the Tail of the Dragon or Skyline Drive and you'll be thinking twice !!!
Happy hunting on Youtube !