Euro hatches getting hotter

The 1980s are back, and we're not talking about the fact that U2 and Duran Duran can still sell-out the house. No we're talking about the return of the performance compact hatchback. We'll have to wait until next year to get the quintessential hot hatch--Volkswagen's new and revitalized GTi--but until then, here's a roundup of six hatches that are heating up Europe's roads today:
 
Hyundai Accent SR
Hyundai? Hot-hatch? Don't forget, following the conclusion of the 2003 WRC season, Hyundai pulled its team to concentrate on the development of its all-new Theta engine and new 3-door hatch in preparation for a comeback in the second half of the 2006 season, with a return to a full season of rallying in 2007. Can this be the homologation version? On sale in Europe by mid-2006, with 18-inch wheels and a 2.0-litre turbo engine rumoured to have at least 200 h.p., some elements of this concept (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) will make it into production like the strut-type front suspension, beam axle rear suspension, and curtain air bags
Chance of importation Better if we North Americans gave a rat's ass about the WRC
Hot-hatch Rating 3/6

Renualtsport Clio
In September's EVO, the current Clio Renaultsport is pitted against the more-than-five-times-as-expensive BMW M6, and the results are closer than one would think. The Renault giant-killer's successor becomes available sometime in Europe in the first half of 2006. It features a host of details (including a flat-bottomed steering wheel, exhaust vents behind the front wheels and underbody air diffuser in the rear) to remind you that Renault has a Formula 1 team as well
Chance of importation Zip. Just pray that some of the Renault engineers had a hand in Nissan's upcoming North American B-class cars
Hot-hatch Rating 5/6

Volkswagen Golf R32
Canadians never received the last-gen R32, and guess what, we ain't gonna get this sucka either. But what we may, might, or could get is a Golf with the new Passat's 300 h.p,, 3.6-litre V6 badged as an R36. Expect Four Motion all-wheel drive, optional DSG dual-clutch tranny and performance to better this R32's 0-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds
Chance of importation Geez, we don't even have the cooking GTi yet, so if this does come, don't expect it until '08, maybe...
Hot-hatch Rating 6/6

Ford Focus ST
Based on the same global corporate Ford platform, and cramming the same blown straight-five in its engine bay hooked up to the same six-speed manual stick found in the bigger S60/V70Rs, this Euro-only Focus is basically a three-door Volvo S40/V50 T5. At 222 h.p., there's a little less power than the premium Volvo, but that doesn't stop Ford from making performance claims such as 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and a top speed on the far side of 240 km/h
Chance of importation Nada, zip. Zilch. But we may get a Volvo three-door (eventually) that may replicate this fast Ford's performance
Hot-hatch Rating 5/6