my car apparently faster than most of entry, isn’t even impressive in airfield test track
Pragata Puspa S: @Denta: 4:50.39
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No. 6 sees the Pragata Puspa S stand up and take a bow… Dis-regarding the whole " I wanted a hot hatch and was given a WRX" vibe I’m feeling right now, the Puspa is one mean machine. Having somehow solved the “pedestrian gouged to death” dilemma with pop-up headlights, the Puspa carves a swathe through it’s FWD competion. Yup, the Puspa is packing AWD and a turbocharged 1.7L four cylinder engine making 175Kw which makes it a rocket in a straight line. Unfortunately the pop-up headlights don’t really gel well with the rest of the design so the Puspa ends up looking slightly awkward, kinda like a body-builder in a tuxedo…
The Puspa S, in our opinion, represents poor buying for what it is and at $19,890, costs a lot of cash to gain a second over the $16k Cittadino. Is the Puspa S an excellent car? Yes, yes it is. Is the Puspa S a better hot hatch? No, no it’s not, other Barry…
Verdict: Fine rally-car replica, terrible hot hatch!
Scarab Flare RS: @gridghost: 4:49.63
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No. 5 is ALIVEEEE!!! Couldn’t help myself! At No. 5 is where the Scarab Flare RS resides. Making 113Kw from 1.6L of four cylinder, this AWD, turbocharged beast is a real livewire. The suspension has been tuned to attempt to erase all understeer and it has pretty much nailed it, with actual sports buckets keeping the driver in their place. This car doesn’t drink too much at 9.7L per 100Km and it prefers 91RON yet the stereo is nice and there’s room for 4 adults.
The Flare RS looks really good as well so what’s the catch? Simple. The car costs $18,980 and trying to get an AWD turbo-car insured is a nightmare. If you’re rich then you won’t mind but for a first car? Not on your life!
Verdict: As always, insurance turns up and spoils the party, yup it’s THAT good!
Mott Works Gemini: @rcracer11m: 4:49.55
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At 4th place is the Gemini by Mott Works, a rather peculiar looking entrant that has redefined what to expect from a NA FWD car. This car’s first trick is achieving 5.9L per 100km on 91RON whilst producing 119Kw! The Gemini also has a well sorted chassis and a nice interior with only a cheap stereo to ruin the view. The Gemini costs $16510 which is good value but beware the resale monster!
The only real downside of the car is it’s visuals. It looks frumpy and heavy boned, even though it isn’t, and it just doesn’t look anything like what it’s performance suggests. But it’s hardcore enough that we at Mountain Pass can say; close your eyes and just feel the power!
Verdict: The first car when the ownership experience is enhanced by visual impairment!
Licorne Aubagne: @Darkshine5: 4:48.36
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3rd place goes to… Licorne’s Aubagne!!! When we asked for hot hatches to test, some bright spark said “the Aubagne has a liftback so that’s close enough”. Well we’re glad they did because this car is crazy! When you think FWD coupe you instantly think of manky, cheap Bogliq’s but Licorne has built a proper weapon. Packing a 163Kw, 3.8L V6, the Licorne literally tears up the pavement wherever it goes. The suspension is super sharp and it’s good on fuel as well, using only 9L per 100Km (91RON too!).
So the only catch is the price, at $19890 this car was right on the top of the budget and Licorne’s design language can best be described as “colourful”. Still, this car is epic and worth every cent of it’s hefty asking price.
Verdict: Buy one, you only live once!
HH96: @Zabhawkin: 4:44.91
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The pentultimate entrant in this list is also one of the more controversial entrants. Why? Because it’s hideous! We have taken the photo at the best angle, which hides the travesties of this cars proportions but it’s so ugly it hurts…
It’s also very fast on the downhill, which annoys us no end as we have to put this car on our cover… Where kids, children, could see it and hurt their eyes! Will someone just think of the CHILDREN!!! Ahem. Looks aside, this car packs a 167Kw, 2.4L V6, and uses lots of fuel, 12.2L per 100Km to be exact, although to be fair it runs on 91RON.
It handles alright, I guess, with a neutral stance and the interior is a nice place to be as you can’t see the outside from the cabin but since it costs $18,720 you can’t afford one so move along, nothing to see here folks!
Verdict: Love it or hate it, this car certainly can haul ass down a mountain pass!!
Hamster 250: @Ornate: 4:44.85
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And so this is Christmas, and what have you done… Ooops, wrong list!
Number One!!!
The winner of our mega test today is the Hamster 250!!! This car also looks like it escaped from the 80’s but it is only matched by the Renolt 5 for boundary breaking… The 250 comes fitted with, behind the rear seats, a 3.2L, V6 which produces a gobsmacking 188Kw! Power is sent to all the wheels and the car is capable of 9L per 100Km while drinking 91RON fuel.
Driving impressions? Spooky is the word I’d use. Doesn’t matter if it’s alloy or iron, 3.2L V6’s are heavy and that’s a lot of weight to be placing to the rear of such a short-wheelbase car. This car is probably capable of going faster but the test driver had too many near misses to go all out on the timed lap. A real handful, the Hamster 250 is not a car for novices!
BTW, the Hamster costs $14,820 which is too much car for your money, in our opinion here at Mountain Pass. Only buy one if you REALLY know what you’re doing!
Verdict: Leave this Hamster to the professionals, buy a Cittadino instead!
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We all know Life is not a Malfunction. (Yes, I got the Short Circuit reference.)
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CSR29: Phase II: The family’s picks
Ok, there are three people who have a say in this decision; my Mum, my Dad and me.
My Mum chose the Znopresk Zap SuperS because she likes the Znopresk brand, the price is good and the car is reliable and cheap to own.
My Dad, on the other hand, recalled the fun cars of his youth and selected the Armada Fore Superlight because it was one of the cheapest cars on the test, it has nothing that can break and it’s lots of fun to drive.
My choice was the Renolt 5, because it’s different, sounds awesome and is cheap on fuel.
At the end of the first round, my choice was dropped because the Renolt has hardly any dealer support, could be hard to find parts for and could be costly to insure… I was bummed but I accepted their wisdom in these matters.
But which car to choose? The Super S was comfy, reliable and easy to look after. The Armada Superlite was frantic, simple and excellent value for money…
My Choice???
The Znopresk Zap Super S: I need to learn how to drive well and the Zap will keep me from killing myself as I learn. There are plenty of Znopresk dealers here in Aus and I can get plenty of genuine and aftermarket parts for my Super S. In short, the best beginners hot hatch is made by the wizards at Znopresk! @NormanVauxhall
Yes, I bought one in Yellow, I don’t want people to think I drive a Bogliq! 
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FOREVER BRIDESMAID AGAIN 
maaaan and I thought I was totally on the money this time, so close.
your dad is cool but. Let’s have a beer sometime.
But even more remarkably, Norman won, and you said you couldn’t win huh!?
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Damn good writing, thanks so much for these HOL! 
Is there one more?
That’s enough for me! 
Well done Norman 
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And obviously congrats to So close and yet so far well done HOL. I stand by the Aubagne as a proper crazy european high end hot hatch ( or thats what i was going for )
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17th and praise. i’ll take it!!!
Damn… I won…
I really didn’t expect to be under the 5:00 minute mark. It turned out decently fast at the end.
Thanks to @HighOctaneLove for hosting this round and for choosing the best money can buy!
After all…
##Znopresk, we’ll provide you the best!
Give me some hours to figure out if I can host the next CSR.
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Hang on how the hell did my steel space frame car with a 3 valve non vvl v6 beat out 28 other cars on the downhill…maybe time to stop making rwd v8’s…LICORNE galloping on hooves of steal and fire.
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Exactly where I expected the Monsoon to be, given it’s somewhat different approach to this challenge, 22nd and with the praise it got makes me a very happy Kerman.
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Congratulations to @NormanVauxhall for finally winning a round of this contest! Whatever he comes up with for CSR30, it had better be good…
Now I understand why my entry wasn’t among the final three: it looked too bland on the outside! But at least I claimed a few scalps this time round. 
Wow @HighOctaneLove, that was quite a round! Absolutley loved the reviews, a thoroughly good read, and congratulations to @NormanVauxhall, seriously looking forward to your round if you choose to host it!
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Big thanks for hosting @HighOctaneLove this has been a great round and you’ve done an amazing job with the huge list of entries! Clever idea with the magazine format really made the reviews enjoyable.
Congrats to @NormanVauxhall I really liked your entry and glad you scored a win this time. Looking forward to seeing what’s up next round.
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also, who the hell made those bottom 3 runners? i struggle to understand the logic there.
Those three cars were joke entries that would not even have been eligible if more specific requirements had been set at the start of CSR29.
I’m content with being in the top 20 
My cars seem to be near middle cars although I can’t take too much credit for the engine
I’m going to rename this car to ‘We are number one except each time you turn, you oversteer and die.’
The funny thing is that damn car got 72 drivability, Valour 520 on the other hand (It’s inspiration) got like 30 or something. AWD really changes things.
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just like in rally… keep the throttle planted and she’ll be right
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