Big fun can come in small packages, but what if these small packages pack a big, punchy heart? Sounds like a winning recipe to us, and a fitting farewell for internal combustion engines. But you might ponder - how is this even sensible in the current economic climate when fuel prices still hold out at stratospheric degrees? We can argue that with new performance cars priced at peak levels and with delivery schedules hindered by supply chain disruptions, the used car market remains a tempting resource for treasure trove hunting.

Let us rewind and reflect on what made this prescription so captivating. We narrowed them down to two heroes, starting with the Renault Sport Clio V6, a widebody, rear-mid engined, rear wheel drive hatch based on the Renault Clio. A Trophy version sold alongside a Phase 1 and 2 version over a span of five years. 3,000 examples were built - a figure we reckon was conversative given its thumping reception at launch. Utility made way for ludicrous sound and performance from a 2.9-litre V6, a motor that also resides in a Citroen C5.

Volkswagen made wildest dreams a reality a couple of years after the Clio V6 ceased production with the Golf GTI W12-650. Engineers were given the green light from the CEO to showcase a special concept for arguably VW’s largest enthusiast festival, Worthersee. Plenty of free play led to an absurdly entertaining project in the mid 2000s. A 6.0-litre, 12 cylinder engine from Bentley strapped behind the driver endowed it with supercar-rivalling numbers.

These 2 examples might not be readily available in Singapore (the latter most probably ring fenced in VW’s Wolfsburg museum), but there are options based on this recipe we feel are well worth considering. They have garnered increased appeal over the years, and have soundtracks only big capacity, well tuned cars can muster. And with compact dimensions relative to their engine displacements, even a five minute trip to the grocer can be an absorbing affair.

BMW M140i - 3-litres

Hatchbacks are supposed to be practical, but all can be forgiven if BMW prioritises driver-centric attributes over functionality. The M140i arrived at a time where direct rivals adopted high strung turbocharged 4-cylinder motors and all-wheel drive to anchor down blistering torque bands. But BMW reasoned that there was still motivation to produce 6 cylinder cars driven by the rear wheels. And boy did it deliver. The 2,998cc B58 motor was capable of pulling through the entire rev range with more finesse than 4 potters that ran out of puff towards redline. It was accompanied by a distinctively BMW inline 6 resonance, too. Yes, rear passengers might refuse to hop in the back as the transmission tunnel intrudes legroom, but all can be forgiven when we realise that BMW doesn’t make hot hatches with these ingredients anymore. At least the B58 motor sought refuge in another compact, and no less exciting BMW, the M240i.

Lotus Evora - 3.5-litres

Strapping a 3.5-litre V6 Toyota Camry engine on a Lotus sounds as feasible as running on ice, but that’s exactly what Lotus achieved with the Evora. Skeptics lamented the fact that the brand had gone all dull and heavy given that the Elise weighed comfortably under 1 tonne. But it was still featherweight even by supercar standards, with a kerb weight of 1,248kg. Not bad for a project that emphasised the requirement to fit a set of golf clubs at the back - an amazing feat for a mid-mounted, transverse engine configuration. In true Lotus fashion, it did not take up much footprint on tarmac - it is shorter than the latest-gen Honda Civic and only slightly wider than a F30 3 Series.

Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk5) - 3.2-litres

This is no Golf GTI W12-650, but at least it was commissioned for petrolheads to enjoy. The Golf might be a practical hatchback, but swallowing 6 cylinders beneath the hood of the R32 was still a challenge. Instead of a typical V6 configuration, the R32’s VR6 engine’s layout was narrow-angled and crucially only utilised one cylinder head, just like a regular inline 4 or 6 cylinder. There are currently no Mk4 R32 (a smaller predecessor featuring a similar VR6 motor) in classifieds, but one can only imagine the complexity behind that build…

Nissan Fairlady 370Z - 3.7-litres

Although the 370Z was a touch wider than the outgoing 350Z, it was more compact in every other aspect including wheelbase, length and weight. Even with blistered rear fenders, it could be operated with more ease than anticipated. More surprising is the fact that it had a curb weight of 1,466kg - hefty during its time but this also puts into perspective how heavy batteries in EVs are nowadays (a standard range BYD Atto 3 weighs 200kg more!) The silky 3.7-litre V6 engine might lack the low-end punch of turbo-fed motors, but it revs freely accompanied by a bassy V6 burble. The addictive manner in which it delivers linear power makes you wonder if naturally aspirated machines can run on alternative fuels sooner than later.

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