Hot Hatch Death Match: Challenge 3 - Head to Head - Fifth Gear

[@chrthm27]

Amazing hatches!!! The two tops! OPC/VXR looks a little hotter... Love it!!!

[@trakall]

Great test. And I would say that both cars are pretty equal. And I am a Megane RS driver (in grey)! Still surprised what Vauxhall / Opel did with the new Astra. It even looks good.

[@VEMANIS]

U moron...Opel almost always made beautiful cars...

[@shobin05]

john lee LOL good one.

[@strikeeaglemodels1588]

Mr Tomcat Got the VXR GTC,its a cracking car.The grip is amazing.Get so many looks when it comes out of the garage. Love the Trophy cup too ;)

[@egesevindi]

It looks way better

[@tomforrest7814]

Professional Rally Driver vs Retired Race Driver VXR would be my choice the interior is to bland on the Renault and the steering isnt as good and the VXR looks miles better

[@geetee4037]

+Tom Forrest Megane is the best drivers' hatch available just now. The VXR looks like a beach buggy with the massive wheels. I'd take the Renault every time over that VXR.

[@egesevindi]

Gee Tee In our country, we are callin' Renault "Tin Can"

[@xink64]

I think you're a bit biased. Look at your display picture. Haha

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@geetee4037 need to book an appointment at specsavers mate

[@geetee4037]

@@asifnoaman8978 7 years later Asif... 🤣🤣🤣

[@Nellis0]

This vxr definitely doesn't have bad handling! Barely lost to the Megane, at one stage just before the end the Megane cut the vxr off badly braking it's momentum, it could have been a deciding factor. They should do best out of 3!

[@sal7t5]

in other reviews the opel is faster so i'd say it comes down to the driver, especially considering he's racing a rally driver

[@Craigzeh]

Now swap drivers and go again. Not enough in it to put it down to the car, definitely the driver..

[@daverowlands2948]

Tiff needel is a ex F1 driver

[@Femhara]

@@daverowlands2948 Also a lemans 24 veteran and btcc.

[@Ironbuket]

For a fair test they should have swapped drivers and swapped who gets the inside at start - so best of 4 races

[@ultraszgb]

I still think that the driver won this race, not the car

[@TassieLorenzo]

Well its just for fun anyway. :) Both good cars.

[@AXEL201211]

hahahahahahahahaha shure lol

[@cyclemartin4073]

The megane is a damn good fwd track car , the Vauxhall’s struggled to keep up It simply doesn’t drive as well , I think tiff done a sterling job to keep up

[@eddlovesskiing]

@@cyclemartin4073 the vaxhaull did not struggle to keep up at all did you watch the video?? It was just his shit driving that kept giving the meganne the win

[@Femhara]

@@eddlovesskiing Well Tiff does have 20 years of racing experience in series like the 24 hours of Le Mans, btcc and formula one but I guess that doesn't matter.

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

I have a 2016MY VXR, and it's great. I seriously considered the Megane, but got a good deal on a VXR first. My only dislikes with the VXR are the low speed turbo lag; boot it without enough revs on the board and it just takes ages to spool up. Definitely a car where you have to stir the gearbox a bit to get the best out of it. And the less said about the shitty rotating dial that you use to control the colour (non-touch) screen the better. Seriously wank, GM. That said, the seats are some of the best you'll find in any car at any price, and the design still looks fresh and aggressive nearly ten years since it was introduced.

[@SeverityOne]

I think both the Astra and the Mégane are great cars. But since the local Renault importer/dealer is absolutely rubbish, it's an Astra (GTC, the OPC is unfortunately outside my budget) that I'm driving.

[@MonteiroM]

If my grandmother (80 years old) in a Ferrari 458 races Hamilton (F1 driver) in a VW Polo 1.2 TDI around a track, the F1 driver wins. The conclusion is: the VW Polo is better and faster around the corners.

[@SpeedDaemon3]

Except Tiff is a ex-F1 driver.

[@jasonboyle7203]

9yrs on would have either of the two SOLID DRIVERS

[@sarveshbode5827]

What an exciting race!

[@igorigor1981]

RenaultSport. Nr. 1

[@maxmavrick7]

Grey megane looks super hot. I like it.

[@navneetverma1000]

Yeah I totally agree with you. Astra or vauxhall as a whole are very good every days cars. Its just when it comes to racing and pushing them cars to the limit thats when vauxhalls fall short.

[@jackmill6301]

Vauxhall Astra vxr eny day

[@BenzinioB]

Not much to choose, VXR is just the prettier and that counts!

[@monique6490]

Not it isn't.

[@monique6490]

It's a fair tie I'd say.

[@Lisukas007]

Put two Rally drivers on this two cars and you will see the difference. Until there this is a fake test!

[@garethdavies2366]

hi all i own that vxr it is out side my house it also has been on top gear i have only recently found this out any advice on this matter please

[@ECOBEAST_SA]

Vauxhall astra vxr.. Prettiest car ever..!

[@matemeiczinger8597]

Series and episode....????

[@hanzknot]

wowww what a test that I enjoyed it so much...... it's funn!! thanks fifth gear!!

[@snakeeyes471]

Alot of ppl say compare rs to rs focus.... Not quite gents... Rs megane is 2L T and so is astra opc.. So it was same class.... And megane took it... In my opinion and i think most ppls opinion, the astra has sexier looks HANDS DOWN But megne RS is the better performance car and.... I would have neva said this with earlier models..... The more reliable one....... "gringe" Iv spoken to a lot of guys who have the astra and a guy whos budd worked at opel and their gear boxes are horrible... They break just as often as the gearboxs in the ford ranger double cabs 🙈 But each to their own tastes and preferences

[@ARDEN440i]

Tiff's is driving a bit like a clown here. His steering inputs are very questionable and would've loved to see them swap cars for a round 2.

[@traceurGeorge]

Hatch backs just aren’t styled like they used to be… vxr’s and Megane’s look decent enough, are Vauxhall’s parts all still made out of cheese though?

[@KifazoidDesigns]

Opel OPC Yummy

[@danielsellors4831]

Both cars were just as good as each other.

[@jwester7009]

Family hatchbacks are ment to be an everyday practical car also. Not just for the track. So these tests are missing a very important element.. "how is it to live with on an every day basis?"..

[@harcosmacko7426]

+J Wester it's good ,i have the Magne it has decent amount of storage for a shopping . and the back seats are enought for a 175-180 cm tall adult

[@stevenwatson9363]

I would wait until or if they release a Focus RS

[@63Jax]

fuck that Megane is good!

[@letsrockza]

all opc Vauxhall(opel) engines are limited from 10000rpm down to 6000rpm or whatever. Vauxhall has decided this for the sake of road safety and reliability.

[@seanadamson280]

Channel 5 faarrking caants

[@Piotrek4500]

No doubt the Astra OPC is the most sexy Opel ever made

[@Timesplitter86]

It are both nice cars but the problem of both is that they are not really 'bases on family hatchbacks'. They are both pretty small and not so useful for families with kids. The Golf and the Focus might be not as great as these 2, but I think they are a lot better if it comes to day to day business. But if I ever buy one and have kids... too bad for the kids, they will have to push themselves in the back of the Megane :-D

[@TheCanadianCyclist]

V to the X to the R...

[@anibalgavilan4675]

El Megane RS siempre es comparado con sus "supuestos competidores" los cuales siempre terminan siendo 15, 20 hasta 30 hp más potentes, pero jamás he visto algo opuesto a esto. Se nota que este "auto francés" , como lo denominan los usuarios de otras marcas, ha causado mucha inquietud a varios, tanto así que tratan de ridiculizar al auto y a la marca comparándolo con otros vehículos más potentes que cuestan mucho más dinero y tienen "mejores prestaciones" .

[@monique6490]

The Mégane III R.S. still holds up with today Hot Hachtes. Renault Sport just knows what performance really means.

[@pierreschklar8241]

C'est le rapport poids-puissance qui devrait être pris en considération et là la Mégane est supérieure…

[@pbfloyd13]

The fastest Hot Hatch/Sport compact you can get in America Right now is also the most underrated... Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo 260bhp 2.0 liter Turbo 0-60mph 5.5 seconds Top Speed of 158mph to bad it's outta production and has no real successor.

[@fikes73]

Haha. I do not know anyone that wants one of those. Sure it is quick, but that is it. The ride stinks, the interior is awful, and its chassis is tuned to its limits. The plus side is it has no resale value, so you can pick one up used for nothing. I wish GM would bring that Astra VXR here to the states. Much better car. Ford learned its lesson, and is doing global cars. GM does use its RWD chassis in lots of cars, but what about small cars? GM, make it happen

[@pbfloyd13]

In the real world If I had the choice between a used Cobalt SS for $10K, and importing a VXR for around $25K Id choose the Cobalt like I said its faster anyway.

[@dagc99]

the fastest is the Mercedes A 45 amg

[@pbfloyd13]

That's far from a "hot hatch", "sport compact" no matter what Mercedes says

[@dieselboy77]

Cobalt came with a hatchback?

[@killmayr]

Well it's supposed to be two racings driver's or really just depends on the driver, both are good cars!!

[@brianmccadney1816]

I don't enjoy Tiff losing... He's my idol.. they need to have a drift off next.. I'm only 35.. so I've only seen him race in a championship once.. but 5th gear

[@w-james9277]

I would still have the golf GTI because it will do a decent performance on the road and last much longer than the other three.

[@Noavaileblenames]

Yeah.. VW's are really known for their reliability.....

[@coastallad1010]

@@Noavaileblenames Sarcasm

[@janrdoh]

Problem for the Astra is that it had a 30 year + - weight penalty .

[@MzwandileHarmans]

OPC ❤️

[@coastallad1010]

265 RS easily modded to 330 bhp

[@Ober1kenobi]

Wtf Tiff, there was no need for you to be out that side, I swear this shit is rigged sometimes

[@Kesha_3d]

Whithout helmets? ... honest racing...

[@V-ValveSupercharged]

Nissan Np200 vs Chevrolet Utility

[@Rahhhhhnman]

That was fucking brilliant! Thx

[@Nalafraser]

Quand tu vois une OPC être pareil qu une mégane rs alors que la OPC et bcp plus lourde la Mégane RS et vraiment pas rapide c est sur

[@gin21zkato]

Astra won becouse this skiny guy blocked him at the end. No fair race. That happy cheater face xD 4:55

[@suflexpro]

Rally Driver rulzzz

[@testdirver]

at least 3 laps for next one

[@jacobpeters4337]

“Rally driver vs racing driver” tiffs clearly the worse driver swap drives and the results would change

[@bogdanbosiokovic8858]

slipstreaming is always welcome if u need more speed

[@Stokovsky]

Renault won, but vauxhall is just so cool looking, id probably buy astra

[@v_alexiadis]

Nice! Now do the same with the new Leon Cupra ;)

[@v_alexiadis]

lloyd dixon The new Megane is quite naked for an everyday car though

[@Kazi2812]

ianiva Depends if you want cup interior or not. You can still have cup setup and have the full fat interior.

[@v_alexiadis]

Kazi2812 Are you sure about that? Because the whole point of the new RS is to be as light as possible.

[@captainkuru1]

ianiva Ok the new golf 7 cupra... oh she ever loooosed on the ring, beats by the 6 years old chassis of the Mégane 3 RS...And the Focus RS, what is the time on the nordschleife... 8.26 min!!! The Mégane 7.54 min...

[@v_alexiadis]

captainkuru1 Yeah with sticky tyres, roll-cage, no radio, no a/c, nothing. Try using that car every day.

[@saschamaass7178]

Mein lieber. Der Fahrer des Opel Astra OPC ist ein Anfänger. Viel zu spät gebremst und keine Kontrolle über das Auto.

[@richardkatieburgin158]

That was brave for an old man haha

[@luisalima5697]

Com jantes 19 o Opel ganhava sem problema. Até com o Capitan Slow no volante. O Opel é um carro melhor

[@pedrogtr32]

+Tio Gonçalves Nunca vi um teste dinâmico onde o opel fosse melhor, se tivesses a referir melhor montagem de materiais e qualidade até acredito, agora a nível de comportamento!!

[@dancecolin393]

not a surprise at all. megane rs is pure art on wheels

[@igorigor1981]

Renault nr. 1

[@FirstLadyDonald]

#bringbacktiff

[@СергейРоссия-х5р]

Опель дольше прослужит чем Меган

[@merivaconcept]

I never would spend any Pound for a french car. VXR or OPC always the best!

[@rgnx21]

Best test ever...

[@Redlineshadow29]

For me the Astra has to be disqualified for not having a handbrake

[@timwattison4419]

Had the VXR been lighter I'm sure it would have thrashed the frog mobile. The Vauxhall looks far nicer than the ugly Megane and I'm sure the interior design is far nicer too.

[@hakimmaszelan5158]

Tiff needle never wins in any race whtsoever in fifth gear -_-

[@hedrick5286]

So the two best hot hatches lose to the worse two hot hatches

[@Rentta]

+Mike Hedrick Two best hot hatches ? I would take Renault or Vauxhall any day over boring golf or focus.

[@neildutton8077]

Vauxhall all the way.

[@warwickstingray]

Understeer has no place in a hot hatch which is why the Vauxhall is just another Golf GTI clone!

[@boboahmed9608]

Opc

[@leventkeskin8884]

Where is the Leon Cupra ! C'monn

[@lebigmac1616]

I have driven both cars. I have to say that Astra is a much better car for every day driving. Very well build avd very comfortable unlike Renault , its good on track but horrible daily driving.

[@thehifimaster5618]

My VXR goes around corners at speed far better than that, and seemingly in most other track tests I've seen, outpaces the megane. Though the Megane is faster in a drag race.

[@matejbrozovic2416]

1st?

[@navneetverma1000]

Vauxhall cars always had bad handling.

[@quinnjohn1]

Yeah, Vauxhall always goes for safe/boring understeer but the Astra actually does handle better than you would expect, it's just that the Megane has excellent handling. We have a diesel Astra and I was quite chuffed at how it behaves, drive them at 70% and they are actually quite good fun! Also, they are built so much better than they used to be.

[@simonvella4122]

When have you driven one Navneet? Forza doesn't count

[@asifnoaman8978]

watching too much top gear are we? Gosh, narrow minded fools like you have never driven a vxr

[@ScReamOut93]

that was painfully obvious scripted.

[@tomec5980]

RENAULT THE BEST

Bla bla bla its fake

[@TomTom-hw7sh]

all the renault haters😂😂the vauxhall lost again...and will loose every race..newer car...more power...more torque....for all the renault haters! try to drive again tiff nidell....he is not a grandpa with a driving licence...he is a driving machine and he hates to loose😉...renault great performance car and faster then the opc on track.

[@genius4483]

The Opel is faster...!!! Never ever a Renault...it´s a boring car.

[@priteshchampaneri5101]

All Vauxhalls are boring... Renaults FTW

[@genius4483]

@@priteshchampaneri5101 All Renaults are very very very boring....How lucky you are to say that and not someone with a clue!!! Go back to your crawling group

[@asifnoaman8978]

@@priteshchampaneri5101 french cars are shite

[@posniknelb6114]

The meganne is horrible to look at. Vxr please

[@bledi10nsefc58]

if the vuxhull didnt get blocked on the last corner it would have won

[@airidassalkauskas6931]

first

[@andreazernovski5853]

Astra is better car 10 times...

[@3nd4tom1c8]

Not at all lol

[@o3tomas]

Watching FWD race reminds me of paralympics.. no offends

[@pbfloyd13]

I understand RWD chassis are better balanced, but FWD has easier handling and better grip especially in adverse conditions.

[@WisdomeSage1989]

you do know that BTTC and WTTC are FWD right?

[@mrfrancy0154]

@@pbfloyd13 it's been 8 years and FWD chassis are more and more great than before lol

[@archangel1415]

Renault shit VXR all the way 👍

[@priteshchampaneri5101]

VXR shit, Renault all the way!

[@archangel1415]

@@priteshchampaneri5101 ok 😂

[@LarsAlmeloo]

Renault doesn't even deserve to compete in here, it might've won all the challenges, but you can only enjoy this car for a short time since Renaults always have mechanical issues

[@niksarass]

LarsAlmeloo The Megane RS is very reliable, one of my friend has one it has 100K kilometers + a little circuit and no problem. Besides, not like Opel, VW or Ford are that reliable anyways...

[@tmkongen]

Renault and Renault Sport are 2 different things. Besides Renault since 2009 is on the top of reliability. Sharing alot of stuff with Nissan so yeah u're wrong mister! My 2007 Clio RS got no issues and never did.

[@harryflavell6084]

a lot of the old Renaults are extremely reliable the Renault 4 5 12 21 25 are very good

[@redwithblackstripes]

+LarsAlmeloo if you think that in2015 Astras are more reliable than Renaults you obviously don't know much about cars...

[@coryxj6er873]

I've had no problems with the 3 meganes I've owned, all this shape and younger than 2009, my 2010 Rs 250 is the most reliable car I've ever owned:)

[@slimdenace8180]

Megane may faster but megane is ugly exterior as interior. Opel FTW.

[@igorigor1981]

Renault nr. 1