Which has the best styling?

The definition of a coupé is more blurred than ever. Three-door hatches and four-door saloons all pose as one – and no matter how you categorise the Scirocco, it looks the business.

A razor-thin grille and twin-lens headlamps give a purposeful face. At the back, the pronounced wheelarches and sloping roof provide a sporty stance.

Volkswagen’s designers haven’t felt the need to meddle with the Scirocco, so the R isn’t much different. To give it a tough look, there’s a new front bumper with LED daytime running lights, while sill extensions and gloss black mirrors help mark it out.

Completing the changes at the rear are smoked light clusters, a discreet R badge, a small wing and twin exhausts. The car looks superb (our model’s optional 19-inch alloys add to the appeal), but some buyers might find it a bit too restrained.

Potential

That’s not a criticism you can level at the Focus. With its huge rear wing, swollen wheelarches, 19-inch alloys and gaping grille, the RS isn’t for shy and retiring types. This is a hot hatch that shouts about its performance.

But where the Scirocco occupies the middle ground between a pure coupé and a stylised hatch, the conventional shape of the three-door Focus leaves the RS looking a bit bulky.

The Mégane only highlights this – as Renaultsport had the advantage of using the curvy shape of the three-door as a starting point for its latest hot hatch. It’s added muscular flared wheelarch extensions, a large rear diffuser and prominent centre exhaust to make the 250 Cup look like a serious performance car.

There’s plenty of neat detailing, too, with the gloss black finish on the nose, subtle RS badges and contrasting door mirrors adding to the sense of occasion. Our more focused Cup model stands out further with its satin black 18-inch alloys and red brake calipers.

A £766 visibility pack brings xenon headlamps and distinctive LED daylight running lights. The latter in particular look great, and can be ordered separately for £153.

Even without them, the Renault runs the VW close on style. But for badge kudos, the Audi is peerless. While the regular A3 is showing its age, the S3 has the understated, classy look we expect from the firm’s fast models.

Its alloy-effect mirrors and subtle badges are clues to the performance on offer. It isn’t as striking as its rivals here, but for some people that’s key to the Audi’s appeal.

Volkswagen: 5/5
The standard version of the Scirocco looks fantastic, and the subtle updates on the R work well. The wide track and sculpted body give the range-topper a squat stance.

Renault: 5/5
Take one of the most attractive three-door family hatchbacks and add pumped-up go-faster goodies, and this is what you get. The 250 Cup strikes a tasteful balance between aggression and style.

Ford: 4/5
Motorsport inspiration behind the RS is obvious, and the Focus is a real attention grabber. However, in this company it appears bulky, and its brazen approach might put some buyers off.

Audi: 4/5
The S3 has the strongest badge kudos in this test, but it’s a low-key design. It relies on small details to stand out from the hot hatch crowd – and while the result is solid, it’s not exactly inspiring.