M54 Powered
i guess the only choice that truly meets the accepted definition of "hot hatch" (relatively affordable hatchback with high performance) is the Mitsu Ralliart Colt Turbo. the other cars are econoboxes that may have decent, but not "hot" performance

i posted the highest spec hatch with a decent pic that i could find. the Swift there is the Swift Sport, Yaris has a much sportier Yaris TS but it's only 3 door.



"Toyota has revaled the new flagship Toyota Yaris model called the Toyota Yaris TS at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The new Toyota Yaris TS is powered by Toyota’s new flagship Dual VVT-i 1.8 liter engine which makes 130bhp at 6,000rpm and max torque of 173Nm at 4,400rpm, compared to the Yaris 1.5 liter’s 109hp at 6,000rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. With the new Dual VVT-i engine, Valve timing is adjusted on both intake and exhaust valves. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The little hatch goes from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds.

Other enhancements to the Toyota Yaris TS over the base model include suspension improvements - the front suspension has been reinforced, gains a thicker anti-roll bar and a linking rod has been introduced between the rear suspension members. The ride is also lowered by 8mm.

Other than ride height, further external differences include a new black mesh grille with a TS badge, darkened headlamps, a deeper bumper with integrated foglights, a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust tailpipes and fog lights, as well as new LED rear lamp clusters. Look from the side and you will see nice 17 inch alloy wheels that fill up the wheel arches as well as deep side skirts. There is also a roof spoiler for the rear."

Nissan has the Impul Version of the Tiida/Versa.



"The Impul tuning kit is for the 1.5 liter Nissan Tiida, but the only engine variant that is offered here in Malaysia for the Nissan Latio Sport is the 1.6 liter HR16DE. But perhaps the same supercharger kit can be fitted to the 1.6 liter engine block?

The HR16DE engine in the stock Latio Sport makes 109PS at 6,000rpm and 153Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. Impul’s Compressor kit (supercharger) boosts power up 35 PS, so the 1.6 liter block could end up with 144PS, the equivalent of a modern 2.0 liter.

The supercharger must be coupled with an Impul high power control unit (uprated ECU) as well as better Iridium spark plugs, and you can also fit a high flow Blast II design Impul stainless steel muffler.

Some other options to complement the car’s greater acceleration are better brakes - we’re talking about 6 piston calipers for the front on 282×21mm rotors fitted with Impul performance brake pads, which should definitely be more than enough for a 144PS car."

karaniwan kasi yung mga binabansagan na "hot hatch" eh yung Civic Si, VW GTI, Mini Cooper S, Renault Clio Turbo at Focus Sport...
Hehe good point. But i noted a Sub-compact choices. I'll make a tread about Compacts too.