Power to weight – it’s a very simple formula, but one with far-reaching consequence. Especially if you’re looking to rip up the asphalt in the fastest ride you can get for a given budget.

The idea of squeezing a big or powerful engine into a small and light car has been around for decades – with classics like the original Mini Cooper S and Golf GTi popping to mind – but never has the choice been as vast as it is right now.

Just look at this starting block. Five small cars with dynamite performance potential – and they cost no more than a bottom-rung medium-sized sedan of the kind a rep would buy. Yet the most amazing thing about this new breed is just how sophisticated they are. Representing the modern-age superminis, these five take no short cuts when it comes to handling, refinement, comfort and safety.

This feature also marks the introduction of three all-new contenders to the market, with the MINI 2 and the sportiest versions to date of the latest superminis from Renault and Peugeot – although the Pug is a limited edition.

They’re by no means direct competitors. The Polo and Fiesta fall well below the R200K mark, and also offer the least power. The 207 joins the Clio at the R210K mark, but the latter is a lot more powerful, even more so than the R240K Mini. Yet, when you look at what each car offers for the money, the picture’s not as clear as it seems.

Performance race

In the performance race, the Renault Clio has a clear advantage. Actually it looks poised to knock the wind out of everything here. Powered by a further-developed version of the high-revving, naturally aspirated 2-litre mill from its predecessor, it now thumps out an astounding 145kW at 7250rpm. Even if it is on the heavy side, it still has the best power to weight ratio, at 117kW per tonne, versus the runner up Mini’s 106kW/t. Yet at highveld altitudes, the Mini’s force-fed advantage gives it the upper hand.

The MINI approaches the power struggle with a smaller, low-revving 1.6-litre engine that uses a sophisticated twin-scroll turbocharging system. Incidentally, this engine was co-developed with Peugeot, so you’ll find a de-tuned version in the 207 GT you see here, although the Peugeot GTI that’s due here later this year also makes do with the more powerful version.

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