Hot Hatch News & Reviews

Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200

Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200

No, this isn’t the Mugen Civic Type R that was announced a few months ago. That was a heavily tuned and ridiculously priced version of the standard Type R that featured serious engine mods, some clever chassis work and a fancy bodykit. Instead this Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200 is a limited edition of the Type R that’s been inspired by the Mugen...

Citroën DS3 Racing Restores Mojo (w/video)

Citroën DS3 Racing Restores Mojo (w/video)

French manufacturers Citroën and Peugeot have both lost their way when it comes to making quality hot hatches, but with the unveiling of the new DS3 Racing it would appear that Citroën may have recovered some of their mojo.The standard 150bhp DS3 DSport hatch is a funky looking Mini alternative but lacks the performance to trouble many performance...

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Golf R

Say ‘hello’ to the Volkswagen Golf R – the fastest accelerating Golf to make it into mass production.Powered by a 267bhp version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre TSI engine and using an all-wheel drive system, the Golf R is capable of reaching 62mph in just 5.7 seconds with a manual transmission, while the 6-speed DSG transmission reduces that...

Hot Hatch Performance Statistics

Practical family cars that seat five, can fit a weekly shop in the boot but still accelerate to 60mph in under 7 seconds and go on to 150mph or more.Name Engine BHP/rpm LB.FT/rpm BHP/Ton 0-60mph MaxSpeed Fuel MPG YearAbarth 500 4cyl Turbo 135 152 132.5 7.9 128 Petrol’08Abarth 500 Esseesse 4cyl Turbo 160 170 157.1 7.4 131 Petrol ...

Video: Focus RS Vs Megane R26.R At Silverstone

Video: Focus RS Vs Megane R26.R At Silverstone

Here’s another video of the Ford Focus RS in action, this time up against the Renaultsport Megane R26.R on Silverstone ‘s full GP circuit. So which is quicker – 301bhp and 1468kg or 227bhp and...

Ford Aiming For ‘Ring Record

Ford Aiming For ‘Ring Record

Ford are planning to take the new Focus RS to the Nurburgring to try and grab the hot hatch lap record, having being beaten to the punch by Renault and the Megane R26.R last year.The Focus RS was spotted at an industry pool day last week, an event where manufacturers share time on the ‘Ring testing their prototypes. The belief is that Ford were setting...

2009 Golf GTI VI Specs Announced

2009 Golf GTI VI Specs Announced

With the sixth-generation of the Volkswagen Golf GTI being launched in Germany in just a few days, Volkswagen have released more pictures and finally announced the detailed specs of the eagerly awaited hot hatch.Check out footage of the Golf GTI around the hills of St.Tropez Powered by a new 2.0-litre TSI engine, the Golf GTI VI produces 210bhp between 5,300...

2009 Renaultsport Megane 250 Debuts At Geneva (w/video)

2009 Renaultsport Megane 250 Debuts At Geneva (w/video)

At last – Renault have finally revealed the new Renaultsport Megane at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Visually the new Renaultsport Megane is a great improvement on the old big-bottomed model and looks great in yellow. The design takes the standard coupe (or 3-door as non-marketing types call it) and adds some much needed visual flair with 18-inch...