Back in 1973, 82bhp was enough to give the humble little Simca 1100TI the title of the world's first ever hot hatch.

How the world has changed. Do you yearn for the days when Donny Osmond topped the charts, and a hotted up 1.3-litre family hatch with less outright power than your own lungs was considered fast?

Yeah, us neither. But this goggle-eyed, entirely implausible fast hatch was the original all-weather car. It even featured such things as stiffer shocks, a reinforced clutch, bigger brakes and some special paint.

The world - perhaps mercifully - has moved on from the days of the Simca. No longer is humanity content with a 0-60mph time somewhere not very far below 12 seconds. No longer will we sit in silence for a top speed of just 105mph from a small five-door family car.

No, today's buyers demand more. Much, much more. Witness the new Audi RS3, which churns out 362bhp and ought to be able to hit 60mph in less than four seconds. Supercar pace, that.

So, you've seen how the hot hatch game has evolved, but where do the major players stack up today? Read on for our roundup of the most powerful hot hatches... in the world*.

*Production hot hatches, of course.

Renault Megane Renaultsport 275 Trophy: 275bhp
Big name, big power. Renault's upgraded Megane gets the stiffer Cup chassis, an extra 10bhp over the 265, many torques, a new exhaust and the option of adjustable dampers and very sticky Michelin tyres.

In short, it's 275bhp worth of French track-lunacy.

Vauxhall Astra VXR: 276bhp
Officially the moment Vauxhall went properly crazy. The first VXR might have been a mere sip of the Kool-Aid; the new one has a bottle on intravenous drip. That's because the current VXR features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276bhp and 295lb ft of torque, to produce a 0-62mph time of six seconds flat and top speed of 155mph.

It's mostly good for it, too, though heaven only knows how the 300bhp 'Extreme' VXR will behave on a slippery road

Seat Leon Cupra: 276bhp
It's the fastest and most powerful Seat ever. Two versions are available of this new Leon Cupra, but it's the 276bhp, top-whack one you'll be wanting.

With 258lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds and top speed of 155mph, it's plenty of speed for your needs. And as we found out, it's one hell of a weapon.

Honda Civic Type R (2015): 276bhp+
So powerful, it's gone blue with rage. Honda is gearing up to build its most potent Civic in the history of ever. The new Type R - scheduled to reach our shores in 2015, possibly on fire - will for the first time pack a turbocharged engine, producing somewhere north of 276bhp.

There are rumours it could edge closer to 300bhp, meaning the likes of the Leon, Golf and Megane have a mighty fight on their hands...

BMW M135i: 320bhp
A fine, fine car, and another that easily breaks the 300bhp barrier. A 3.0-litre turbocharged six-pot produces 320bhp and 450lb ft of torque, all wrapped up in a dynamic package that's little short of magic. 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds, and it costs just £30k. But can a hot hatch be rear-wheel drive? Discuss.

Audi RS3 (2015): 362bhp
"There was only ever one answer to the question of bringing back the five-cylinder turbocharged engine," explains Quattro technical director Stephan Reil.

The new RS3, arriving later this year, packs a mighty big wallop. Its 362bhp maximum output is not only 7bhp healthier than its arch rival from Mercedes, it's just 12bhp lighter than the Ferrari 355, a supercar great of the mid 90s.

Couple that to a reworked four-wheel-drive system and new lightweight MQB chassis, and you have the makings of a very quick Audi. 174mph quick.

Ford Focus RS500: 350bhp
An oldy, but a goody. The limited-edition Ford Focus RS500, with its Batman-spec paintjob and massive 350bhp and 340lb ft of torque running through just the front wheels seemed a recipe for a big, big accident.

Thankfully, it wasn't. Far from it. One of our very favourite hot hatches, the RS500's chassis and steering and general aura of not-putting-you-in-a-ditch at the slightest whiff of throttle was most agreeable. But you can't have one. They all sold out, long, long ago.

Mercedes A45 AMG: 354bhp
As powerful hot hatches go, this Mercedes hot hatch is a bloody powerful one. In fact, the Merc's 2.0-litre turbo is the most potent four-cylinder engine... in the world. We like things like this. We also like its 354bhp, 332lb ft of torque, ability to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds... and the insane array of chunters and bangs from the optional sports exhaust.

Subaru Impreza CS400: 400bhp
Another one from the archives, and another one that comfortably breaches the 300bhp mark. The Cosworth-tuned Impreza STI CS400 (to give its full title), packs a 2.5-litre four-pot boxer turbo engine producing a meaty 400 horses.

There is a huge turbo, an ECU upgrade, a free-flowing exhaust and four-wheel-drive to provide some Big Numbers: 0-62mph takes just 3.7 seconds, it'll do the quarter-mile in 12.75 seconds and top out at 155mph. Proper.

Volkswagen Golf R400: 395bhp
Unveiled as a concept, VW has apparently given the green light for production. Meaning the puny Golf R and it's even punier 296bhp will be positively blown into the weeds when this thing lands.

It's a 395bhp production Golf. Read that sentence very slowly. And then repeat.

There's the same 2.0-litre turbo four as the Golf R, but in this instance it's output-per-litre dwarfs even the Bugatti Veyron's. 0-62mph is quoted as 3.9 seconds, and it'll top out at 174mph. IN A GOLF.