The main thing i want to know is why these days 200HP struggles to get a hot hatch to 60 in under 8 seconds.

the -86, now this, both 200HP, both not noticeably faster to 60 than my 1700kg 170hp beemer diesel, or more importantly, a second off a 40hp down zed

What are these things mad eout of, lead?

 

Thats a good point, ive noticed this on quite a few modern hatches.

Could it be restricted for insurance purposes?

 

Emissions and MPG efficiency stifles performance. Heavier weight due to much better safety cages and safety gear slows cars down. Lots of goodies like air con and so on do the same. And as you say, they are built to last longer.

I can remember the days when fast cars meant new engines at 75k.

 

Emissions and MPG efficiency stifles performance. Heavier weight due to much better safety cages and safety gear slows cars down. Lots of goodies like air con and so on do the same. And as you say, they are built to last longer.

Indeed, which goes a long way towards explaining why some of the later model Golfs are nigh-on twice the weight of some of the Mk1 Golfs.

Just think what could have been done for fuel efficiency if the work that's been on improving engines had been done but the bloat in the rest of the car hadn't.

 

that sounds just plain retarded tbh. All the other hot hatch makes have the same problems and thiers are actually, y'know, quick

someone somewhere has decided to have a horsepower race and then forgotten what to do with the actual power.

Hell the mg6 isn't much off what this lukewarm hatch offers.

 

Does look good though, apart from those tiny rear windows again.

 

Seems to be the case these days.

We had a Astra 1.9 CDTi with 150 bhp, 0-60 in 7.9 seconds.

Replaced it with another Astra 2.0 CDTi 160bhp, 0-60 in 8.5 seconds. .6 seconds slower than the model it replaced!!

From what i gather, the new car we got weights a canny bit more than the old one, and they've put a torque limited on car.

 

but niether of those are hot, both are some way down off 200hp, niether are much slower.

either its a golf gt rival, sporty but low cost and cheep to run, or its a gti/st rival.
8 seconds would suggest the former, 200hp would suggest they aimed for the latter.

 

Does look good, shows how much catching up MG have to do when KIA have the more sporty looking cars (and in a proper 3dr form as well)

 

MPG is the new BHP. This applies to all new performance cars nowadays, even supercars. Modern cars are weighed down by safety kit for a good NCap rating and strangled to reduce emissions in the lab.

BOT the new Procee'd GT look fantastic and Kia has made a good decision pegging the GT below the RS Megane, Golf GTi, Focus ST etc because they would struggle to compete on any level bar kit and running costs. Pitching it in the warm hatch category gives the car a far better chance, improving Kia's image all the while.

 

Remap would sort it out though.

 

and a few breather mods and away we go!

 

How strange KIA can see the benefits of a 3 door when Ford DON'T make a 3 door Focus and only produce the ST as a taxified 5 door.

Space for the next Capri but when?? The fugly Focus is 2 years old so when will they catch up.

 

What are the benefits?
I can see a lot of drawbacks

 

I've often thought this myself. Even pretty powerful modern hot hatch's and coupes with well over 200bhp seem to have much shorter intermediate gearing than performance cars of 10-15years ago? Maybe there is some mpg or emissions benefits to wide spaced ratios? Also they always have at least 2 overdrive gears that do nothing for drivability, just allow you to sit at motorway speeds and gain a couple of mpg.

I miss the sound of a tuned hot hatch sitting at 4000rpm at 70mph and actually having some decently instant response to the loud pedal at those speeds without feeling flat.

 

I really like that!

 

Looks like an Astra to me...........:getcoat:

 

I was prepared to hate it. I don't it looks quite good.

 

I guess the big manufacturers are playing it safe cos of the global recession and the upcoming manufacturers (KIA et al) are willing to take a risk, or fill the empty 'exciting car' slots.

MG are just too new, and Chinese owned so are being conservative anyway. :lol:

 

Its pitched against the 208 GTI similar size, engine power, engine size and weight.

 

It's only a lack of practicality the dozen or so times you carry passengers 5drs just don't look right

 

Being tall I prefer three doors as I have the seat fairly far back which in a five door places the B-pillar right in the way when looking sideways at roundabouts, junctions etc.

 

I prefer larger cars, but if I were to go back to a hatch I would buy a 3 door.

 

I'd also prefer a 3 door hatch. They look better, sportier and I imagine there is weight and as such performance advantages. Being young, free and single I don't want something that makes me look like an older family man.

Returning on topic, the new Pro_cee'd looks a tidy car, as did the old one. Just a shame it doesn't have more go.

 

I think David summed up the other day it ticks every box, but it's a Kia.

 

Is that a bad thing though?

 

Its not something that would bother me. Id never even heard of badge snobbery until I started joining internet forums.

 

i wont buy french cars either, but thats because they're crap, and unrealiable, and crap.

Did i mention that they're crap?

 

:lol:, yes that too they are all absolutely ****.

 

Can't say I've ever been a fan of French motors, the Pug RCZ did catch my eye but I'm far too cautious to touch one...

 

Me too, I was not ever considering one but at first I hated but I do like now.
The 406 coupé Pininfarina design I liked alot aswell. I might have had my arm twisted for a V6 at one time but I would have paid dearly from my ex colleagues

 

I tend to view Kia as on par with ford or Vauxhall now

 

That was my feeling, they've emerged as a strong and competitive brand.

I actually quite like the Kia Optima but the UK variant is a bit underpowered and more of a taxi drivers motor.

 

Kia are on par with where ford and vauxhall used to be.

After looking round a few new Vauxhalls and fords, I'd say they've also improved, up the the VW almost premium but not level.


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