The best hot hatch!

[the real deal]

What is the best hot hatch on the market today. That does not include the Clio V6. I think that the Honda Civic Type-R is the best hot hatch, its fast, good looking, handles well and being Japaneas you no its goin to be reliable.

[Matra et Alpine]

What is the best hot hatch on the market today. That does not include the Clio V6. I think that the Honda Civic Type-R is the best hot hatch, its fast, good looking, handles well and being Japaneas you no its goin to be reliable.
Sorry, but why exclude the Clio ?
It's a hatch and it is the hottest :)

Type R uk-spec are nice cars and very well balanced handling.
Replacement exhaust and air filter seems to improve mid-range and 'reviness' :)

[UK CARS]

my hot hatches are:
Clio v6
focus rs
alfa 147 gta
mg zr
civic type r
mini copper s works
golf r32
audi s2
;)

[jameswithington]

Sorry, but why exclude the Clio ?
It's a hatch and it is the hottest :)


In terms of price and performance the Clio V6 is in a completetly different league to the rest of the hot-hatches on the market. When you think of a hot-hatch you kind of assume that it's a small, front-engine fwd five seater family runaround that's a had a bit of chilli powder sprinkled in the engine bay, a ruthlessly stiffened suspension and a crap looking body kit stuck on. The V6 is a full blown mid-engined rwd two-seater junior supercar that's been cunningly disguised as a hatchback! It's a great car but it's in a league of its own in terms of finding any competitors for it.

However, I do reckon that the best hot-hatch around is a Clio - the new RenaultSport 182 Cup. It's proof that the best way to go with front wheel drive is modest power coupled to a lightweight and well sorted chassis. In terms of power it gets blown out of the water by cars like the Focus RS and Alfa 147 GTA, but doesn't suffer from the huge amounts of torque-steer that the big boys in the market do. Plus it ways far less than the Focus/147/Type-R so is more agile and stops on a sixpence. And the styling isn't too OTT, which is a rare thing in this market.

[MrVette83]

Don't know why no one has said this, i guess maybe I'm the only one who likes it but what about the JDM Integra Type-R?(USDM RSX Type-S)

[Batmobile_Turbo]

my favorites are VW GTi any generation, and the VW Golf R32. VW started the "hot hatch" thing anyway.

[MrVette83]

my favorites are VW GTi any generation, and the VW Golf R32. VW started the "hot hatch" thing anyway.

Here here, i'll have to agree with you.

[GT500]

VW Golf GTi R32 Stage II, some 11 second 1/4 mile.....it was in MT a while ago, tuned by some group I think. Meh, can't remember much else.....

[Niko_Fx]

What is the best hot hatch on the market today. That does not include the Clio V6. I think that the Honda Civic Type-R is the best hot hatch, its fast, good looking, handles well and being Japaneas you no its goin to be reliable.

Civic Type R is hot... Civic Mugen SI is hotter, 40hp more than the type R.

My favorites:

Honda Civic Mugen SI

Engine K20 DC5R Straight 4
Engine location Front, transversely mounted
Displacement 1.998 liter / 121.9 cu in
Valvetrain 4 valves/cylinder, DOHC, VTEC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox 6 Speed Manual
Drive Front wheel drive

Power 240 bhp / 179.0 kW

Volkswagen Golf IV R32

Engine 15º V6
Engine location Front, transversely mounted
Displacement 3.189 liter / 194.6 cu in
Valvetrain 4 valves/cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox 6 Speed Manual
Drive 4Motion all wheel drive

Power 241 bhp / 179.8 kW @ 6250 rpm

Audi A3

Engine 15º V6
Engine location Front, transversely mounted
Displacement 3.189 liter / 194.6 cu in
Valvetrain 4 valves/cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed Fuel injection
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox DSG 6 Speed Automatic
Drive Quattro All wheel drive


Power 250 bhp / 186.5 kW @ 6300 rpm


All these babies are naturally aspirated.

[Spastik_Roach]

Alfa 147 GTA No Questions Asked. Best styling, best performance.

Also really like the Mini Cooper S, Ford Focus RS and Seat Leon Cupra R.

[Chinky_boi]

ford focus rs8

that thing produce 400hp 4.6litre engine. qtr mile in i think 12 seconds i forgot its like 12.8 and it weighs only 2300lb

[Batmobile_Turbo]

Here here, i'll have to agree with you.
it's strange how we have the same tastes, you love the Corvette and so do i, and you like the VW hatches and so do i :)


ford focus rs8

that thing produce 400hp 4.6litre engine. qtr mile in i think 12 seconds i forgot its like 12.8 and it weighs only 2300lb
is that a production car? i don't think it counts unless it is front wheel drive and a production car. but it sounds sweet.

[eyebrows]

shit some of those small pos's have v6's in them thats just crazy. personally i like the Mazda 3 it comes as a 2.0L and a 2.3L SVT engine it handels pritty good and i guess i'll need to wait a while before some does one up and we can really see what it can do...

[dimlight]

Of course they are the clio v6 and the PEUGEOT GTI 180 :cool: :cool:

[mooseTSi]

i am gonna have to say the clio v6 the civic type r and a eclipse gsx are the best hatches.

[MrVette83]

[QUOTE=Batmobile_Turbo]it's strange how we have the same tastes, you love the Corvette and so do i, and you like the VW hatches and so do i :)

True true, i truthfuly never was much on VWs until about this past year or so. My cousin recently purchased a Jetta IV and i love it, I'm looking to buy a car sometime within the next 6-months and have narrowed it down to an RSX Type-S or a GTi. I guess I'll just have to go drive them both to make up my mind.

[Egg Nog]

My favorite's got to be the Lancia Delta Integrale...

For more common cars, I'll take the original Volkswagen GTI.

[Spastik_Roach]

I forgot about the Delta Integrale! That Is the best hot hatch!

[Sismanidis]

The Audi S3. We have one in my family. It is the turbo, the sound, the racing gearbox, the 4wd tech and the design. I love this Design! Just drive it and you 'll see.
Anyway I believe that is the fastest hatch in trackdays all over the world and it can make better time than the STis and THE CARRERA4 in the track of MIRA > England (Evomagazine) . Also this, VW GTi and Delta integrale are the better car to remember in history of hatchbacks... :p ;)

Just Read :
1 Lancer Evo VI RS Sprint: 46.7 sec
2 Subaru Impreza RB5: 48 sec
3 Subaru Imbreza 22b: 48.7 sec
4 Lancer Evo VI GSR: 48.7 sec
5 Ford Escort RS cosworth: 48.8 sec
6 Audi S3 Quattro: 48.8 SEC
7 Porsche 911 C4: 49.2 (49.4 without PSM system)
8 Imbreza GT turbo: 49.5 sec
9 WRX STi V: 49.5
10 Audi TTquattro 225hp: 49.6 sec
11 Audi Quattro 20valve: 49.8 sec
12 Nissan Scyline GT-R V-spec: 50.4 sec
13Nissan Scyline GT-R: 50.8 sec
14 Lancia DELTA Integrale Evo 2: 51.7 sec

[Falcon500]

Mistsubishi cordia early 80s....first of the hot FWD cars in australia was able to storm the in a low 6 on the 1/4 (great for the car and year 82/85) and given the cost today 4k for a pristine example and how common manuals are thir a good buy.

[lfb666]

Market Today:
Audi S3 and Audi A3 3.2 Quattro

Other:
Audi S2, BMW E36 318i Compact, VW Corrado V6 and Audi S3 MTM with 450bhp (Look http://www.nogaro.org/RS3/)

[1000bhp1000nm]

wow...i guess the 206 gti aren't finding much love in this forums huh...well, althou it's down right beatiful, it does have some flaws such as awkward driving position and a long throw 6-speed gear shift...other then that it all good.:D
an then theres the civic type-r, which is cool cause it pumps 200bhp and still is very functional and very reliable..:D
man, gotta love those small hot hatch with a v6 stuffed in it...works for great power-to-weight ratio..:)

[Batmobile_Turbo]

my favorites are
1.VW GTi MK1
2.VW Golf R32
3.Lancia Delta Integrale
4.all the other GTis
5.Honda Civic Type-R

[ZerK]

Golf GTi mkI, MG ZR, Mini Cooper S Classic, Lancia Delta Integrale and Clio V6 :cool:

[Batmobile_Turbo]

Golf GTi mkI, MG ZR, Mini Cooper S Classic, Lancia Delta Integrale and Clio V6 :cool:
the MG ZR and clio V6 kind of don't count, because they are expensive and are in a league if their own, maybe superhatches.

[Egg Nog]

Actually, I forgot to mention the often-forgotten original hot hatch. Behold the Talbot/Lotus Sunbeam, which is actually fighting for the rights to be my favorite hot hatch with the Integrale :) Scratch that, actually... this one wins.

0-60 in 6.6 seconds. RWD. Rare. Sweet.

It's still one of the fastest hot hatches ever, and it's definately a sleeper!

[Coventrysucks]

the MG ZR and clio V6 kind of don't count, because they are expensive and are in a league if their own, maybe superhatches.

:confused: The MG ZR isn't expensive £15K, against £22K for the 147GTA, £23k R32, £16k Civic type R, Mini Cooper S £14k. The Clio V6 is only £27k, so not excessivly pricey.


Alfa 147 GTA No Questions Asked. Best styling, best performance.

Best Performance in a straight line. Have you seen this thing being driven? On Top Gear, the only time I've seen one being driven hard, it was suffering from chronic understeer, i.e. carrying on in a straight line at tight corners. It was declared "mad as a badger" :D

The new Mini is a great car, I had a ride in a standard cooper, and it is serious fun, so chuckable. It is let down by the interior space, the boot is just laughable.

The Leon Cupra R is also great, very fast, and they look the dogs' in black.

The best has to be the Clio 182 with the Cup suspension. A great chassis, that works well with the engine and gearbox, and the lightness of the car makes it more agile than the Civic, Focus, Golf etc.
Best part is it's only £11,600.

I never can work out why people are so concerned with bhp, 0-60, 1/4 mile times, when most of the time you will just be driving the car by yourself, rather than racing.

So what if a Car A could beat Car B by 0.3 sec to 60mph, how many times are you planning on racing to 60 anyway?
I'd much rather drive something marginally slower that is more fun through the twisties. :)

[Coventrysucks]

An MG ZR, trying hard not to look expensive. :D

[sandwich]

mazda 323 gtx

[Batmobile_Turbo]

An MG ZR, trying hard not to look expensive. :D
woa wait a minute i thought that you guys were talking about this (see picture).
ZR and SV sound similar some how, maybe i'm just stupid :D

anyway, i think in the looks department the R32 is the best for me, but i'm just a VW fanboy :)

[SPN:DOC]

My Favorites :D

1.) Renault Clio 255 V6
2.) Volkswagen Golf R32
3.) Renault Clio Sport Cup
4.) Audi S3
5.) Seat Leon Cupra R
6.) Mini Cooper S
7.) Peugeot 206 GTi 180

[HBloverb18]

Stock id have to go with the Honda civic type r hatch, Looks great, has good power, and handles very well

[junaman]

Volkswagen Golf GTi

[Stephen Edmund]

Actually, I found the Peugeot 180 GTi to be incredibly heavy- it turned like it was a '75 Kingswood with no power steering. The engine was pretty responsive- but no faster than the stock 5 speed Corolla. I must also say that I hate the styling. But I prefer more conservative styling.

The new Audi S3 would have to be my choice. I've never driven one, but my experience in the A3 1.8T has given me a very positive view of them. The Australian spec 1.8T has 110kw and 210nm of torque. But, I have reeled in 3.8L Commodores (which carry the same baggage as the hatch) and kept with 5.7L V8 Commodores through mid-range acceleration.

Even the 74kw 1.6L A3 was quick (for what it was). They seem to run faster than their numbers suggest.

But, I think I'd have to put my money on the Audi RS3. A twin-turbo 3.2 V6 Quattro wih about 260kw. Out soon I hope. (Not that I could afford it).

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

errr ...

Racing: 206 WRC in 1999
Stock New: Focus RS or Civic Si/Type-R
Stock Old: Quattro (not new one BLEH) or Golf GTi (old one)

[Quiggs]

anyway, i think in the looks department the R32 is the best for me, but i'm just a VW fanboy :)

If I wasn't dead set on turning the Mk3 2.slow into a runner, I'd be saving my pennies for a R32. Instead, I'm saving it for a VR6 swap, Porsche disc brakes, and coilovers. :) "Mustang 5.what?"

[mulan]

ok my bit

golf gti mk1
lancia delta hf intergrale
peugeot 106 t16
astra mk1 gte
fez turbo

[scotty99stevens]

The Best Hot Hatch By A Long Long Long Way Is The Renaultsport 172

And Thats The End Of That!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111

[Matra et Alpine]

The Best Hot Hatch By A Long Long Long Way Is The Renaultsport 172

And Thats The End Of That!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111
what about the 172 Cup ? a little faster :)
and then the 182 ? another 10bhp

or the original Williams ? may have been 20bhp less but was also >100Kg lighter :)

And the V6 ??

Surely the latter is the BEST HOT HATCH from Renault :)

[cossie]

Escort Cosworth :D

[jcp123]

Pinto with a 2.3 Turbo swapped in. Imagine the look on someone's face when you dust 'em in a Pinto.

[scubasteve87]

I'd take an 05 Acura RSX type S. Sweet six speed, high revving engine, and aggressive (for a sport compact) styling.

[taz_rocks_miami]

I'm gonna go with the VW group in this one:
1. Audi S3 and A3 3.2
2. Golf R32
3. Seat Leon Turbo, I just wish they made a two door version.

[Ferrari Tifosi]

Honda Civic Type R
Volkswagen R32
Renault 5 Turbo (not quite sure if this does fall under the hot hatch category)

[PerfAdv]

Honda Civic Type R
Volkswagen R32
Renault 5 Turbo (not quite sure if this does fall under the hot hatch category)

Ditto...but I have very limited knowledge of the Renault 5 T. Replace that with the mid-engine Clio. Know that beasty from GT3!!

[Guibo]

Modern:
Cooper S Works

Semi-classic:
BMW M Coupe (not sure if that counts)

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Honda Civic Type-R. No contest :)

[Cotterik]

Volkswagen Golf GTi...definitely. My dad has one :D I love them, they look great, perform great and at the same time suit all your family needs! *ching*

[Rockefella]

Honda Civic Type-R. No contest :)
by the smiley, i hope you're being sarcastic. IMO, VW Golf R32 :D

[jcp123]

Volkswagen Golf GTi...definitely. My dad has one :D I love them, they look great, perform great and at the same time suit all your family needs! *ching*

they are pretty fun to drive, as front drivers go. i just hope they're more reliable than the VW's we had were...if they arent, youre in deep puckey when the warrantee runs out.

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

old school ... golf gti (first one) or 205

newschool ... focus rs and r32

[SPN:DOC]

Hmmm poor so called ugly ass Megane’ everyone forgets about it… how about the Megane’ 225… :D

[SPN:DOC]

they are pretty fun to drive, as front drivers go. i just hope they're more reliable than the VW's we had were...if they arent, youre in deep puckey when the warrantee runs out.

Yep sure are.. they are the real deal German made.. rock solid.. and reliable speaking from experience with a vw…. :)

[Matra et Alpine]

Hmmm poor so called ugly ass Megane’ everyone forgets about it… how about the Megane’ 225… :D
That Megane rear actually grows on you and starts to look nicer :)
Lots of similarities in new European models appearing - eg Astra - not as pronounced though :)

[Coventrysucks]

That Megane rear actually grows on you and starts to look nicer :)
Lots of similarities in new European models appearing - eg Astra - not as pronounced though :)

I saw a 225 in "Inferno" the other day, it looked fantastic.

Just a shame about the interior really.

[phathash]

when the new Astra VXR goes on sale its gonna destroy everything else in its path and GTIs are just over priced and overweight

[jcp123]

Yep sure are.. they are the real deal German made.. rock solid.. and reliable speaking from experience with a vw…. :)

Maybe it's just cuz ours were assembled in Mexico...the things just didn't wanna stay together.

[SPN:DOC]

when the new Astra VXR goes on sale its gonna destroy everything else in its path and GTIs are just over priced and overweight

Hmm don’t know dude.. vw has also put a lot of work in there GTi and its intention is to take back the title… of the Hot hatch :D


http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_984.shtml

[DodgeNitroBIRM]

Does it count or has anyone posted this one? The Ford Focus RS8?

[rb30]

my favourite hot hatches would have to be the nissan pulsar GT-iR and the mazda familiar GT-R. both extremely quick little hatches.

[McLareN]

my favorite hatch is the Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren :D :D :D

[Coventrysucks]

my favorite hatch is the Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren :D :D :D

Psst! Its not a hatch.

[jcp123]

My hatch of choice, like I've said many times, is a Pinto with a 2.3 Turbo. Imagine the look on someone's face when you dust them...in a Pinto.

Strange how I actually want an injected motor...I usually don't even touch those.

[gti-6]

I think the peugoet 306 gti-6 is one of the best hot hatches out there for the money and it is a much better car than the 206gti 180 in my opinion. Its not the fastest out there (0-60 in 7.5 secs) but is no slouch and its fantastic round the twisties. Its also a propper wolf in sheeps clothing too, which is good for embarrassing a lot of drivers in more expensive cars.

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Yeah, I love the GTI-6, one of my personal favourites, and the Rallye equivalent was awesome.

BUT my heart will always rest with the Honda Civic Type-R...

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

my favorites are VW GTi any generation, and the VW Golf R32. VW started the "hot hatch" thing anyway.
Wrong, Talbot did with the Lotus Sunbeam.

[Turbonutter55]

OK...
VW R32 HPA Stage III: 200mph, full type-approval, what's not to like? Cheap for the speed, too.
Pug 205 GTi: nuff said
Holeshot Mini! 0-60 in 3.2 seconds in a BMC Mini, courtesy of a turboed Suzuki Hayabusa engine.

[Matra et Alpine]

Wrong, Talbot did with the Lotus Sunbeam.
If you're going to include RWD ones then the Vauxhall Chevette HS2300 pre-dates the Lotus :) Recognised as the FIRST hatchback !! And the works HS2300 were certainly HOT :) Very successful race and rally car of it's day :)
http://kart-n-car.com/images/chevette2.jpg
http://www.ianhardy.net/albums/trackrod03/CRW_4012.jpg

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Pardon me- what year was the Chevette? (Fighting a pointless battle, the dirty Jock has probably already researched the date of both and is getting ready to 0wn the n00b, with a very smug reply) :D

[Matra et Alpine]

Pardon me- what year was the Chevette? (Fighting a pointless battle, the dirty Jock has probably already researched the date of both and is getting ready to 0wn the n00b, with a very smug reply) :D
Not at all but the AULD dirty Jock competed in and against them :)

Chevette was 75 on, the HS2300 was 78 IIRC.
We had one in 1980 - sadly NOT the HS :(

The Sunbeam was 77 and I remember the failry successful 1600.
The Lotus was developed 80 and remember watching the great RAC win in 1981 ( followed the event )

[nota]

If you're going to include RWD ones then the Vauxhall Chevette HS2300 pre-dates the Lotus :) Recognised as the FIRST hatchback !! And the works HS2300 were certainly HOT :) Very successful race and rally car of it's day :)

I still recognise my first hatchback :p
I loved that car, an IMP GT. Very sporty and the same colour too so there's a small chance its might even be this particular example
http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/JLemm4.jpg

For trivia, a quote from Holden's official Heritage website:

"1935 • Holden produces its ‘All Enclosed Coupe’ body for Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet chassis. Dubbed the ‘Sloper’, this uniquely Australian design is the forerunner of the hatchback, with an upwardlifting tailgate and a fold down rear seat to increase the luggage area. It is a great success"

Buick Sloper, and one of my favorite hot hatches the V8 Torana A9X

[Matra et Alpine]

I still recognise my first hatchback :p
I loved that car, an IMP GT. Very sporty and the same colour too so there's a small chance its might even be this
We rallied an Imp for a season way back then.
Great cars, thankfully it was VERY easy to remove engine and gearbox as it needed it every event :)
Wrote it off AND A SNOWPLOUGH that it hit during a little "snow test session" :)

The imp fails the "hatchback" as there was buggar all space in the rear to put ANYTHING :)

Anyway, returning to the topic :) Clio 182 :)

[nota]

Wrote it off AND A SNOWPLOUGH that it hit during a little "snow test session"
What a coincidence. No snowplough involved but I wrote mine off after shaving a tram sideways at 50mph, rear quarter into a telegraph pole hard enough to crack the engine block, then ricocheting deep into the back of a brand new 1976 Holden Gemini (Chevette sedan) and came to rest right outside a church. They were a surprisingly strong little hatchback

Anyway, returning back to topic ..

[Matra et Alpine]

[QUOTE=nota]They were a surprisingly strong little hatchback[QUOTE]
The roll cage was the only thing that saved my brother. The whole car collapsed into the shape of the roll cage and a little smaller !!!!!
He kicked out the back window and climbed out to the shock of the Snowplough driver who'd decided he had to have died !!

[aNOBLEman]

If the Audi Sport quattro is considered a hatch then that's what I would want to have. 396hp and it's got racing harnesses and a roll cage...Awesome!

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Actually, it could be, but it doesn't have fold-down rear seats :p

Does the Suzuki Whizzkid count?

[h22a]

Don't know why no one has said this, i guess maybe I'm the only one who likes it but what about the JDM Integra Type-R?(USDM RSX Type-S)
This guys on the money, clearly the most potent of the current hot hatches. Possibly the best handling of the FWD hot hatches. very rough and hard to live with though.

[Amaru]

VolksWagen Golf GTI I or V. Even though the Civic Type-R is faster.

[syko]

man this thread is old

I guess it would be the new rs focus when ever it gets released

[Cyco]

Aston DB2/4 Mk III

[007]

Aston DB2/4 Mk III

Oh yes! Nothing beats a good old Aston. Except maybe rust:D

But i'd have to say the VW Golf GTi. The granddaddy of hot hatches. And one of my favourite cars. It just so practical, especially in the 5 door guise. Take the kids to school, and drive home like a maniac. Yet still looked good doing it. Some may say the Golf GTi looks a bit plain, too similar to the standard Golf. But i disagree. That grille, for starters makes it look big, chunky and far from plain. Then the so called 'Death Star' rims are more than enough to make it look differnt from the normal VW Golf range. But that said the Golf would be the one for me. But i also wouldn't mind the Audi S3, Volvo C30 or the Mini Cooper S.

[96BattleWagon]

VW Golf GTi R32 Stage II, some 11 second 1/4 mile.....it was in MT a while ago, tuned by some group I think. Meh, can't remember much else.....

The company that built the stage II R32 is HPA motorsports. And I would have to say that the GTI may not be the best, but it is the original. Without it, there might not even be the modern day hot hatchs.

[jcp123]

I'd go for a Pinto with a 2.3l turbo transplant; it's a weekend job to put one in. Imagine wiping the grin off of some pompous BMW driver's face after you've just beaten him...in a PINTO.

[h00t_h00t]

I'd get an Alfa 147 GTA and fit it with a LSD like it should have had in the first place.

[Ingolstadt]

Alfa 147 GTA for me.

[man 430gt]

Either the Rear wheel Drive in Top Gear that JC is scared of (147 GTA me thinks) or The Golf R32..

[Egg Nog]

Fact: The best hot hatch ever is the Lotus/Talbot Sunbeam.

[Quiggs]

Fact: The best hot hatch ever is the Lotus/Talbot Sunbeam.
Denied.

[092326001]

Brera no doubt

then maybe Golf GTi,S3

[Egg Nog]

Denied.

Your favorite hot hatches gain 8000kg per new model. Admittedly, the Mk1 Golf GTI was awesome.

[Quiggs]

Oh, c'mon now, you're exaggerating. It's only 4500 metric assloads.

[jcp123]

I forgot about these, how about the Cosworth Twin-Cam Vega from Chevy?

[SupraMan22]

i like the vw r32. if toyota was still making the supra. id prolly have to go with that though. :cool:

[Kitdy]

I was JUST about to say the VW R32. I had been playing Forza and was like: what in the name of hell is this car. So I decided to investigate. I figured it was some european Golf, which it is, but then to my dismay, I learned it was shipped to NA but the US only, and they promptly sold out with minimal advertising by VW.
Bah! Offhand, the only cars Canada has tabs on that the states do not are the CSX which is Acura's take on the Civic (it has paddle shifting, wheeeee!) and the City Golf and City Jetta, which are previous marks of both cars being sold alongside new Rabbits and Jettas. Confusing! Anyhow, on a side note, just last wednesday my parents picked up their brand new City GOlf and it is pretty sweet! (but no R32) :(