Ever since the Volkswagen Golf GTI introduced the hot hatchback to the people in 1976, the moniker has established itself as the benchmark in affordability, economy, practicality, and driving excitement. Despite constant competition from other automakers, every generation of the GTI has been a blockbuster hit.
The highly acclaimed MK VI GTI is praised for its combination of power and quality. However, when the Ford Focus ST hit the European market beginning October 2012, the American hot hatch managed to outsell the GTI. In fact, Ford sold 1,984 Focus ST hatchbacks for the last quarter of 2012, translating to a significant 44 percent share of the Euro hot hatch market.
A revealing shift, is the Ford Focus ST a better hot hatch than the long-standing leader GTI?
The scrappy German runabout has gotten more and more refined with every generation as it matures with its customer base. Starting at $24,200 for the standard 2-door, the outgoing Mk VI GTI features the tried and true 2.0 liter TSI turbocharged 4 cylinder engine delivering a smooth and confident 200 hp over a pleasant powerband. Developed under a philosophy of devils in the details, the Mk VI offers a premium touch with options including a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), heated windshield washer nozzles, heat-insulating glass, and a multi-function trip computer with compass, trip time, trip length, and average trip speed.
In less than a month, the next-generation Mk VII will pack an additional 20 horses from the same 2.0 liter TSI engine. What's more, a special factory performance package will provide the Mk VII GTI with an additional 10 hp for 230 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. A torque-sensing limited-slip differential, upgraded performance brakes, and larger vented rotors are included in the performance pack as well. Beyond its bump in power, the latest MQB modular VW platform will allow the GTI to drop its curb weight to 2,978 lbs., dropping just below the 3,000 mark.
The Ford Focus ST is positioned as the rising challenger as it stirs the hearts of younger enthusiasts with its playful Tangerine Scream paint job and its stonking 2.0 liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine producing 252 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. At standard guise, the ST has more than 20 hp and more than 10 lb.-ft. of torque over the top-of-the-line performance package GTI. The ST will also feature a RevoKnuckle inspired front strut to allow optimized front engine handling, a major player in the ST's ability to three-wheel around corners at outrageous cornering speeds.
Despite all the power advantages the Ford Focus ST has over the GTI, the American hot hatch suffers from a heftier 3150 lb. curb weight, 152 over the upcoming MK VII GTI. Pound for pound, the Focus ST and Golf STI are ultimately identical, sharing a top speed of 155mph.
Which one would you choose? Let us know at the comments below!
