Of course, no article on hot hatches would be complete without a mention of the VW Golf. Let's face it, it was the original petrol racer, and it's one of the best swift diesels out there too. Or, at least, it was.
The Mk IV boasted the GT TDI, 150bhp of diesel power in what was generally a very good package. Now the Mk V is here which, although handling much better, can only offer a maximum diesel engine size of 140bhp.
Alongside the Golf is the Audi A3, with the same, 140bhp engine. This is the posh end of the hot hatch market - for image-conscious buyers who don't mind paying a premium for their badge.
The first of the major contenders to hit our shores in 2004 will be the new Vauxhall Astra. This time it's being equipped with a 1.9-litre, 150bhp diesel engine, making it good enough to seriously worry SEAT. Whether the handling or driveability will be up to scratch remains to be seen, but either way, a 150bhp Astra sounds fantastic.
Renault, too, has decided that it needs to start pandering to the wishes of the economical boy-racers of this world, and the time to do it will be 2004.
Hot on the heels of the sizzling petrol-powered Renaultsport Megane, the French 'createur d'automobiles' has decided its diesel collection needs spicing up a bit.
Cue the much-needed, 1.9-litre, 140bhp engine that will be shoe-horned in to the Scenic, Laguna and, most importantly, Megane. Now, there's no news yet whether this will have all the exciting extras such as sports suspension and bucket seats to make it feel like a proper hot hatch, but let's hope so.
And BMW is entering the fray too. The 1 Series has been dangled in front of our noses a lot lately. In fact, they've been holding it just out of our reach for over a year! But finally, the date has been set and the small German hatch will be released in 2004. Details at present are rather sketchy, but a diesel derivative will be available.
Click here for the full road tests:
Audi A3 TDi 140bhp
Seat Ibiza TDi Sport
Golf GT TDi PD 130
Skoda Fabia VRs
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