The Mercedes-AMG A35 has been revealed, set to take on the likes of the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R when it lands in Australia in the second half of next year...
The latest Renault Megane RS to drop locally has very big shoes to fill if it's to come anywhere near the success of its much-lauded second-generation predecessor, which saw Australia ranked number three in global sales. It's clearly a crucial model for the French carmaker both globally and in Australia for more than just sales numbers, according to local Renault CEO, Andrew Moore, who spoke with CarAdvice at the Australian launch recently...
Mercedes-AMG has posted a series of teaser images of the upcoming A35, giving us an early glimpse at the new mid-tier performance model ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show next month. Published on the brand's Facebook and Twitter, the trio of images show the new model is definitely an A-Class, will get lots of AMG badging, and debut a new bright yellow exterior colour...
The all-new Volkswagen Polo GTI has hit the market around the world – including Australia. So how does its performance compare to that of rivals? South Africa's Cars.co.za decided to pit the new hot Polo against the Renault Clio RS 18 in an old-school drag race this week, posting the video to its YouTube channel. On paper, the two light hatches are closely matched...
The new Volkswagen Up! GTI has been hailed as something of a spiritual successor to the Mk1 or Mk2 Golf GTI. It's light, makes a similar amount of power and, unlike the Polo and Golf GTI in Australia, is offered with a manual transmission. Which is faster, though? With 86kW on tap from a 1...
Does the perfect hot hatch exist? Is your perfect hot hatch someone else's nightmare ride? The latter scenario is probably more likely, but to put the theory to the test, we’ve pitted the all-new Renault Megane RS280 against the reigning champs from our recent hot hatch mega test...
Overnight, Kia unveiled the new Kia Ceed GT in Europe, as well as the Kia K3 GT for the South Korean market. These cars preview the powertrain likely to feature in next year's Cerato GT. Under the bonnet, the Ceed GT and K3 GT are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre direct-injection four-cylinder engine, which generates 150kW of power at 6000rpm, and 265Nm of torque between the 1500 and 4500rpm...
Skoda has revealed another look at its upcoming Vision RS Concept, ahead of the car's reveal at the Paris motor show in October. The concept previews a new compact Skoda, likely the Rapid given the extended glass tailgate, and offers a glimpse at the styling cues that'll adorn the next generation of RS-badged models. We've already seen the outside – well, sort of...
Another legend has made a comeback with modern underpinnings. Coachbuilder Automobili Amos has dragged the Lancia Delta Integrale into 2018 with its new Futurista. Built around an original Delta chassis, the modern car trades the old hatchback's body panels for hand-beaten aluminium units that, with any luck, will be more resistant to rust than the originals...
A development vehicle believed to be the Mini John Cooper Works GP has been spied this week in Europe, somewhat confirming that the wild concept revealed at Frankfurt last year will make it to production. While clearly not the final product – rather based on a 'standard' John Cooper Works 3 Door Hatch – this vehicle features a massive rear wing, and massive front brakes behind the aftermarket alloy wheels...
The BMW 1 Series may be switching to a front-wheel drive platform for its next iteration, but a new report has suggested the replacement for the M140i performance flagship will be no slouch. An article by Carscoops claims the next performance version of BMW's small hatchback will go toe-to-toe with all-wheel drive hot hatches and hyper hatches like the Mercedes-AMG A35/A45 and Audi S3/RS3...
The refreshed Abarth 595 range has been revealed in the UK, headlined by new exterior colour options and an upgraded exhaust system on select variants. As before, the 595 is offered in four trim levels in Great Britain: 595, 595 Trofeo, 595 Turismo, and 595 Competizione, and two body styles – hatchback and convertible...
Skoda Australia has revealed pricing and specs for the 2019 Octavia RS, now available exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission and the more powerful 180kW engine tune. The car will be offered in RS 2.0 TSI and RS 245 grades as a sedan or wagon, sending 180kW and 370Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG...
The revamped Volkswagen Polo 6 GTI promises to be more Golf-like and more authentically 'GTI'. But does it make for a better compact hot hatchback? Or a properly affordable one?
Volkswagen Australia has announced pricing and specs for the 2019 Golf R, revealing it will also offer a limited-run Golf R Special Edition from November with a louder exhaust and a few choice performance upgrades. The headline act in the Special Edition, of which just 400 units will be available locally, is a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic...
We've seen reports the next-generation Ford Focus ST will get an adaptation of the 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine from the current Focus RS, and we've heard the industry chatter, but a picture posted on Facebook (above) by an eagle-eyed fan has all but confirmed it...
The next-generation Ford Focus ST will get a 2.3-litre turbo four and be offered solely with a manual transmission – according to a new report out of the UK. Autocar claims the new ST's motor will have "close technical links" to the engine used in the current Focus RS, though it will be 'adapted' to for the front-wheel drive hot hatch with around 250bhp (186kW)...
The Honda Civic Type R has set another lap record around a European race circuit, this time at the Hungaroring track in Hungary. With former F1 driver (and current NSX Super GT driver) Jenson Button behind the wheel, the Type R set a new standard for front-wheel drive cars with a time of 2 minutes 10.19 seconds...
Volkswagen has announced drive-away pricing for the 2018 Golf R hatch and wagon, as it prepares to bring the MY19 range into showrooms. The drive-away Golf R range will kick off at $48,490 drive-away in Grid Edition Manual guise, jumping to $50,990 for the DSG. Volkswagen previously priced the two from $47,490 and $49,990 before on-road costs respectively...
Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and specifications for the upgraded 2019 Golf GTI, which will kick off from $45,490 plus on-road costs when it lands in October. As revealed in May, the 2019 model-year Golf GTI comes with the Performance specification as standard, meaning the 2...
