Hot-hatch

UK Ford tuning expert Mountune has worked its magic on the new-generation Focus ST hot hatch to boost power and performance. However, Australian owners will likely miss out on the upgrade option even though Mountune kits were offered through Ford dealers for the previous generation Focus ST and Fiesta ST. “At this stage we have no plans to offer Mountune in Australia,” a Ford Australia spokesperson told CarAdvice.

Volkswagen has revealed details of its new Golf GTE and GTD models ahead of their official debut at the 2020 Geneva motor show next week. The GTE plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pairs a familiar 1.4-litre, 110kW turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an 85kW motor and 13kWh battery. When combined, maximum power is raised to 180kW and 400Nm. These figures are on a par with the 2020 GTI for power but 30Nm up on torque.

Honda has revealed a more subtle version of its Civic Type R hot hatch, but it won't be heading for Australia. Although it maintains powertrain for which the Type R has been lauded, the Sportline is aimed at a slightly different market to the standard car or the Limited Edition released yesterday. For one, it ditches the oversized rear wing in place of a more subtle lip spoiler on the bootlid. The car is still no shrinking violet, but the more subtle look will no doubt broaden its appeal.

Photographers have snapped the first images of a development prototype for the upcoming Hyundai Kona N at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Here we can see a base Kona body atop what looks like some of the mechanical running gear of the i30 N hot hatch – namely the wheels, brakes and exhaust system poking out from the crossover's skin.

Peugeot could replace the famous GTi performance sub-brand in favour of a 'Peugeot Sport Engineered' badge, according to a new report from the UK. A new report from Auto Express claims the upcoming 208 hot-hatch, which could be a pure-electric car, will wear the name debuted on the 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered concept in Geneva. According to the report, the Peugeot executive team isn't keen to use its famous GTi badge on an electric vehicle.