the GLHS is indeed quite impressive, but it has too many doors and probably epic torque steer.
the most well-executed euroesque American hot hatch in my armchair opinion would be the Toyota FX16 !!!
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15141439/toyota-corolla-fx16-gt-s-archived-road-test/
Oh yeah. Truly amazing torque steer, as well as torque pull if the motor mounts aren't aligned just right
The FX16 was nice but the Suzuki Swift GTI was also sold here. Light weight and a very rev happy DOHC 1.3l.
I've long wondered if the Mazda DOHC B6 head would bolt to the B3 engine in a Festiva/Aspire. The blocks were similar but the 1.3 had a much, much smaller bore, so I don't know what the valve clearance or combustion chamber overhang would be like.
Sure, anywhere a B3 fits a B6 will also fit, but adding all that displacement is kinda missing the point.
We had someone who was building a B3 in the forum here.
According to my post in that that thread, the B6 head won't fit the B3 block.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:The FX16 was nice but the Suzuki Swift GTI was also sold here.
Swift GTI was undeniably cool, but the FX16 was made in the USA
is it a stretch to consider it an American hot hatch?
perhaps so.
i wonder if the story of it may have provided inspiration for the Gung Ho movie which was also timeline mid eighties?
the factory is still in use now, but by Tesla
regardless, i take any oppo to post up this video because it shivers me timbers & watching this guys stuff cemented in my mind just how truly cool the FX16 is...
You know what else was made in the USA?
'Course, I may be just a bit biased 
My '83 and '89 were built in Westmoreland.
Arguably, the GTI defined the hot hatch genre, although we in the US didn't get it until 1983, and we didn't get the GTI specific engine with its weird flat chambered head and dished pistons. What we got was still pretty good though.
oh snap! how could i forget about that?
and yes, GTI is the definitive hot hatch!
Just wanting to support your future bad decisions.. (skip to :20 if the video doesn't do it for you)
Oldboy Speedwell said:the GLHS is indeed quite impressive, but it has too many doors and probably epic torque steer.
the most well-executed euroesque American hot hatch in my armchair opinion would be the Toyota FX16 !!!
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15141439/toyota-corolla-fx16-gt-s-archived-road-test/
Ohh yes. I forgot about that one.
In reply to BradLTL :
Sweet
84FSP said:I'd also add the Focus RS and the Golf R to the super rowdy hot hatch list. Both are amazing.
I've owned a MK6 and MK7 Golf R, as well as a 2017 Focus RS. The Golf R's were wonderful daily drivers, but the fun factor wasn't terribly high. The Focus RS was a super rowdy car, but it was rough to live with daily (stiff suspension, springy clutch, confining seats). I wouldn't push anyone away from them, they're both great cars in their own right. Although I don't really have any motivation to buy another one. Of all the modern higher powered hot hatches, I thought my former FK8 Civic Type R was a better car/hot hatch than both of them- more fun than the Golf R, much better daily than the Focus RS.
With that said, the only hatch I've ever missed, was my old EK:
Simple. Lightweight. Fun to pitch around at any speed. I'll admit, it needs either an engine swap or a turbo to really be a "hot" hatch. If I was looking for another hatch of any variety, I would be searching for a reasonably well-kept EK (assuming such a thing still exists).
My first car was a hatch back. 1977 Chavy Nova, 305 TH350.
Sadly I can't think of a hot hatch that I have owned. Oh, what about an 85 RX7, it had lift glass.
BradLTL said:Just wanting to support your future bad decisions.. (skip to :20 if the video doesn't do it for you)
That's ME!
My current hatches
I saw this recently and thought it would make a spiffy race day vehicle. I could tow the bikes to the track and, with the interior removed from the rear, sleep in the back. I don't really need another car, but those later 1.4's are pretty good, it's a 6spd manual, and would probably look pretty good lowered.
akylekoz said:Oh, what about an 85 RX7, it had lift glass.
Let's not raise the specter of semantics and marketing ploys again.
mad_machine said:akylekoz said:Oh, what about an 85 RX7, it had lift glass.
Let's not raise the specter of semantics and marketing ploys again.
It's not a hot hatch, even though it was a hatchback. Hot hatch is a performance version of a subcompact hatchback. From a purist standpoint, it should also be front wheel drive.
I owned a Festiva for a while. Loved pitching that thing into corners. It was fun with the B3, but a B6 would be wonderful. I wish the B6 head bolted on. I miss that car either way. It wasn't a hot hatch, but I sure drove it like one.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:Hot hatch is a performance version of a subcompact hatchback. From a purist standpoint, it should also be front wheel drive.
i'm not a true purist so would love a chance to thrash around in that other Chrysler which is one amongst the few of RWD hot hatches...
Fueled by Caffeine said:
the srt4 or gobs was about as close as the americas got for a "murican" hot hatch.
...and just what is that? Doesn't look like a Cruze to me.
My cousin and I were going to build a Starlet into a Lemons car, but we decided that it was too nice to thrash. Those were a hoot. RWD also.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
It's a Cruze RS hatch. They actually look a lot better in person, IMO.
I'm surprised I haven't seen this one yet. Definitely a hot hatch, which we got 5 years before the GTi in N. America, and probably faster, too.
I used to like to point out that a Chevy Aveo has about the same power/weight as a 16v GTI . And a very similar suspension layout.
I want to finish my GTI but my brain keeps telling me to sell it and buy a 1st gen Veloster. 138hp 1600cc engine and a twin clutch trans, what's not to like?
Now, if only they'd have put that drivetrain in the Accent.
I was able to recognize this car when I was riding by one on my BMX bike when they first came out (at age 7 or so). I don't remember what the marketing was, but I recognized it, and I thought it was cool. I found myself at a VW dealer yesterday . . .
Pete. (l33t FS) said:You know what else was made in the USA?
'Course, I may be just a bit biased
My '83 and '89 were built in Westmoreland.
Arguably, the GTI defined the hot hatch genre, although we in the US didn't get it until 1983, and we didn't get the GTI specific engine with its weird flat chambered head and dished pistons. What we got was still pretty good though.
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