There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a small, fast car. With their low centre of gravity and light weight, they offer all the fun of a much bigger, more powerful car, but with a less potent drain on the wallet. They’re easy to park, too. Here are five of the most distinctive fast little cars new for 2018.
The fastest small car
At 144 mph, the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST is the speediest car on the list. It boasts an imposing 1.5 litre Ecoboost petrol engine, which generates 197 brake horse power. This impressive hot hatch, out in June 2018, will be on sale for around £18,995. The Fiesta ST also has some sporty features to go with this power: optional extras include launch control, and the gearbox allows for race-style power shifting. It can go from 0-62 mph in a respectable 6.5 seconds.
The classiest fast little car
Tiny but mighty, the new Mazda MX-5 weighs less than a tonne (the official kerb weight of 1050kg allows 75kg for a driver). This modern classic continues the MX’s dynasty of quality cabriolets. A two-seater, the MX-5 is probably not suitable for the everyday in the same way the Fiesta and Peugeot might be. It doesn’t have the full raft of features that the Ford packs in either. However, for simply driving joy, the rear-wheel drive Mazda is hard to beat. It has a less hardcore approach than many of its competitors, without the kind of artificial frills that detract from the driver experience. It lacks the speed of some other small cars – it tops out at 125mph – but has a classic lineage that will surely stand the test of time.
The lightest hot hatch
The smallest new car with the speed to make it onto this list was the 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport. It weighs a mere 995kg and manages a top speed of 130mph. Its 1.4 litre turbo-charged petrol engine delivers 230 Npm of torque; a fearsome kick for such a small car. This being said, it retains a very steady, easy driving experience, which simply may not be exciting enough for some. Priced at £17,999, the Swift would make a great choice for a mid-to-low budget commuting vehicle.
The most powerful small car
Getting 210 bhp out of a vehicle as small as the Toyota Yaris GRMN is no mean feat. Inside its compact, 1,135kg frame, it has a huge 1.8L supercharged engine. It has the fastest 0-62 mph of the cars on this list, at a face-stretching 6.3 seconds. It’s no wonder Toyota only made 600 of these terrifying machines, inspired by their rally team. While all 25 of this limited edition Yaris have already sold in the UK, we can expect more from the Gazoo Racing brand.
(Arguably) The best fast little car
The Peugeot 208 GTi draws from a line of much loved predecessors including the 205 and the 2013 208 GTi limited edition. The Peugeot drives a careful path between the joyous but intimidating Ford Fiesta and the pedestrian Suzuki Swift Sport. Unlike the MX-5, it has a full complement of seats for school-run-ability. It looks striking, and offers a generous list of standard features including parking sensors, alloy wheels and a digital radio/CD sound system. More importantly, it has a 1.6 litre THP petrol engine, bringing a top speed of 143 mph: on par with the rally-spec Yaris. The drive is entertaining, but not scary. Although at £23,555 new it’s one of the more expensive options for those looking for a small fast car, its balance of practicality, style and driving experience make it pretty good value.
