AS THE CAR INDUSTRY APPROACHES THE PRECIPICE OF full electrification, the internal combustion engine is living out its twilight years in a variety of exceptional performance machines. However, if you’re looking for a truly attainable new driver’s car, right now you may find your options are lacking.
Once upon a time, the supermini offered accessible thrills for all, and while there are still a handful being made today – as we discovered in our hot hatch megatest inevo 318 – increases in size, weight and price have made them less desirable than their predecessors in many cases. Even more so now those models from a generation or two ago are more affordable than ever.
So from the cheeky Fiat Panda 100HP to the hardcore Mini John Cooper Works GP, via the firecracker Ford Fiesta ST200 and Renault Sport’s sublime Clio 172 Cup, we take a look at some of the greatest superminis ever to hit our roads, and find out how you can get your hands on one in 2024.
FORD FIESTA ST200
One of our favourite superminis in its very best form
THE ST200 HIT THE MARKET IN 2016 AS A LIMITE Drun, further-honed take on the already-excellent Mk7 Fiesta ST. Even with the recently discontinued Mk8 still fresh in our minds, the ST200 remains one of our favourite Fiestas, thanks to outstanding dynamic ability that makes it huge fun to drive.
