It’s time for a hot hatch quarter-mile showdown, as we line up the Ford Fiesta ST, VW Polo GTI, MINI JCW, Alpine A290, and the Abarth 600e for a drag race!
These petrol and electric pocket rockets all cost under £40,000, but which one will be quickest over the standing quarter mile? Let’s dive into the numbers.
First up is the Ford Fiesta ST. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder producing 200hp and 320Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox, and it’s the lightest car here, tipping the scales at just 1,283kg. When new, it costs around £27,000.
Alongside it sits the Volkswagen Polo GTI. Under the bonnet is a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 207hp and 320Nm. Power goes to the front wheels via a 7-speed automatic gearbox, and it weighs 1,296kg. Price-wise, it comes in at just over £31,000.
Next is the MINI Cooper JCW. Like the Polo, it uses a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, but this one pushes out 231hp and 380Nm. It sends power to the front wheels through a 7-speed automatic and weighs 1,330kg, with prices starting from £33,000.
Now onto the electric contenders. First is the Alpine A290 GTS. It uses a single electric motor driving the front wheels, producing 220hp and 300Nm. It weighs 1,479kg and costs around £37,000.
Finally, we have the most powerful — and most expensive — car here: the Abarth 600e. It also features a single electric motor, delivering 280hp and 345Nm to the front wheels. It’s the heaviest car in the line-up at 1,640kg, and it costs roughly £38,000.
So, will the instant torque of the electric cars dominate? Or can one of the petrol-powered hot hatches steal the win?
There’s only one way to find out… LET’S RACE! 🏁
