Tag Archives: hot hatch

Find out what happened when top precision driver Paul Swift was given the keys to Vauxhall’s new Corsa GSi and access to a closed test track… Naturally, Paul pushed the 148bhp pocket rocket – with VXR sports suspension and grippy Michelin rubber – to the limit.

Volkswagen, the company that gave us the first GTI in 1975, has decided to sprinkle some magic dust over its up! city car to create a pint-sized hot hatch… What is it? The up! has been around since 2011 and has spawned near-identical sister models; SEAT’s Mii and Skoda’s Citigo. …

The pocket rocket that is the Ford Fiesta ST has been crowned Parkers New Car of the Year 2019. There were also 18 category winners, ranging from the Best First Car to the Best Car for Thrill-Seekers, but it was Ford’s hot hatch that won the overall prize. It was praised …

Acts don’t get much harder to follow than the outgoing Suzuki Swift Sport – a near-legendary pocket rocket. Well, we’re pleased to report that the much-anticipated third generation Swift Sport doesn’t disappoint. Based on the standard five-door supermini launched last year, the new Swift Sport is quicker, lighter, lower and …

There’s a real buzz surrounding the new i30 N – the first car from Hyundai’s new ‘N’ performance sub-brand – but is it just hype or can it mix it with established hot hatch rivals? What is it? Based on the underrated i30 hatchback, the i30 N is front-wheel drive …

Meet Evald Jåstad – the Norwegian cabbie who drives a high-performance Ford Focus RS. In just 18 months Evald has clocked up an impressive 79,000 miles (127,000km) in his Focus RS, which is capable of 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 166mph. Regulars have nicknamed the …

More than a quarter of a century on from the original, Honda’s Civic Type R is hot hatch royalty. The latest version is based on the distinctive 10th generation Civic which is longer, lower and wider than ever. What’s more, the new Type R is no afterthought. It was factored …

Honda has launched an adrenaline-pumped video campaign to promote the launch of the awesome new Civic Type R. Featuring an inspiring montage of adventure-style clips mixed with footage of the new Honda Civic Type R navigating the Nürburgring, the new film asks the viewer a series of questions, leading to …

Hyundai has launched the i30 N – the first model to be developed by its new N performance arm. Based on the i30, Hyundai says the new car has “been developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on …

Stylish, well packaged, competitively-priced and boasting great driving dynamics, the third generation SEAT Leon has always been a great family hatchback choice. Five years after its launch and the Leon has received a mid-life mini-makeover, equipment upgrades and more engine choices to keep it up there with the best. Always …