HOT hatches are back with a vengeance in a contest pitting two of Britain's favourite brands head to head.
Both Vauxhall and Ford have turned to turbo power to boost their family hatchbacks into the super league.
The result is breathtaking performance which pushes the envelope in this most exclusive division.
The Ford Focus in ST guise is superlative in all aspects and Vauxhall has hit back with a VXR version of the Astra.
With the additional boost, the two-litre engine in the Astra has been pushed to an incredible 240bhp - and on paper it blows away the ST which can manage only 225bhp from its 2.5-litre engine.
The Astra can hit 60mph from standstill in 6.2 seconds and tops out at a claimed 152mph and it outruns the hot Focus in every department except fuel consumption, which is the same for both a 30.4mpg - brilliant figures for such potent machines.
But, if anything, there is just too much power in the Astra to make it as much fun as the ST.
Unleash the might of the VXR and you are constantly running the risk of torque steer - the dreaded moment when the power through the front wheel pulls the vehicle in an unexpected direction.
Despite uprated suspension and a six speed gearbox the Astra just does not seem as composed when asked to perform.
It is also £1,500 more expensive that the cheapest version of the ST.
Like the Ford, the VXR is dressed to thrill and comes in specialist paint jobs - this one being brilliant red.
Standing on 19-inch alloy wheels - a £500 extra over the standard 18-inch rims - it looks terrific.
A menacing air dam at the front flows into the Astra's angular lines which on the VXR are set off with a rear spoiler at roof level and a central exhaust.
Inside, there is carbon fibre effect trim, leather coverings on the steering wheel and gear knob and drilled metal pedals.
There are also leather and fabric seats exclusive to the VXR which are designed to hug and support the driver and front passenger.
The VXR is only available as a three door - but that's what any real hot hatch should be.
A full-blown satellite navigation and entertainment system is standard as is climate control - and so it should be on a flagship model.
The VXR is a mighty performer at the top of the Astra tree - but it's not my pick of the Vauxhall bunch. That remains the SRi which is just below the VXR in the pecking order.
It may not be as blisteringly quick but the power delivery sits much more favourably in the Astra's frame - and that makes it much more fun which is exactly what hot hatches are supposed to deliver.
FAST FACTS
Vauxhall Astra 2.0 Turbo VXR 3dr
Price: £19,120
Mechanical: 240bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 152mph
0-62mph: 6.2 secs
Combined mpg: 30.7
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 221g/km
BiK rating: 31%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust