Choose your fighter

The world is not quite what it used to be. A dark force has descended over it. Restrictions have been put in place that exclude the stonking performance engines and seemingly functionless aesthetics of previous generations. The world is overrun with lemming-like cars that go from A to B at minimal cost and with less-than desirable performance.

A group of strangers meet in the shadows of a once polluting but now redundant coal power station. They aim to rid the world of evil, boring daily commutes. They discuss their intentions to fight off the pressure and keep passionate motoring alive and accessible. A rivalry develops as each of the hot hatches wants to be crowned as the ultimate fighter and the car that brought passion back to commuting. With pride on the line a fight breaks out as each of the characters tries to establish themselves as the leader of the pack.

Who do you back in this close fight? Make your choice carefully as each character has engineered pros and cons. Matching the car skills with your street fighting requirements is essential.

FORD FOCUS ST
Secret weapon: Bold flashy styling and torquey five-cylinder turbo

Coming from a proud motor racing history, the Ford displays all the flashy aggro styling of a WWE wrestling star. Finely chiselled with neat gaping air vents, skirts, wing and sitting on muscular 18-inch alloys, ST looks like it packs the biggest punch.

It’s not all looks however, and the five-cylinder Volvo-derived turbo engine delivers one of the quickest robot-to-robot sprints in the group. Torque steer is a handful but the sound of the engine wills the driver on and overrides any issues with the wandering front. Steering has a confidence-inspiring weight to it and coupled with the legendary Ford Control Blade multi-link rear suspension, stiff springs, front cross member and low stance make the ST an entertaining driving package, but somehow Ford manages to keep it relatively comfortable. Belting along country roads or even the odd racetrack is the order of the day with the noticeably slick six-speed box keeping the beast in the power band no problem.

In terms of spec, the Focus meets the requirements of the class with ABS, EBD, ESP and six airbags. No standard dual zone climate control here, but it does have a six CD shuttle system controlled by steering wheel buttons and electric mirrors for convenience.

The interior carries on the Johnny Bravo standard set by the external visual. Brightly coloured and supportive seats match the exterior hue. Boost, oil temperature and pressure gauges sit atop the dash and hint towards the WRC upbringing while aluminium steering-wheel trim and pedals up the athletic antics even more.

HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
Secret weapon: Mad manga-like styling, i-VTEC plant and handling

As the youngest fighter in the game, the Type R takes a lot of beating. It has learned from the competition and on top of it, taken a leaf out of its revolutionary ancestors’ books.

Over the top Manga-like styling makes no bones of its Japanese origins. A smooth jelly-mould shape forms the platform and then bold side skirts, deep bumpers, black mesh vents, the obligatory wing and menacing head and tail-lights bring it in line with the true street fighter look.

It’s in your face, only available in black and red and with a compulsory red dominant interior. Alcantara Bucket seats hold the occupants in place and they too are splashed with red. The dash is focused for the driver, angled towards the pilot in a jet-fighter manner. Stacked red dials give the car’s vitals and a start button, yes in red, entices you to crank it to life.

Safety measures are all in place with ABS, EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist, a whack of airbags and an impact absorbing structure. Comfort and convenience are handled by a good sound system, dual zone climate control and tilt and telescopic steering adjustment. Enough, the red button is calling.

Push the start button and the 2.0-litre i-VTEC fires into life. It sounds good but goes even better. Acceleration is brisk, especially for a normally aspirated car, and even better when the needle starts to climb above 5400rpm — pulling all the way to 8000.

Handling is also a Honda trump card, with the McPherson struts upfront and torsion beam rear keeping the 18-inch alloys on the ground.

Only real downside for the Type R is that it doesn’t have that turbo punch — and you can’t exactly fly under the radar in it either. Why didn’t Honda just give it something similar to the S2000’s 177kW mill to really make it fly?