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A silver 2001 Volkswagen Beetle RSI in front of a red-brick building
Coupes

The Volkswagen Beetle RSI: An $80,000 Golf R32 Preview

The Golf name has adorned quite a few high-performance Volkswagens. And before the R, the fastest Golf was the all-wheel-drive R32. But before the hot hatch received its powertrain, another VW product tested it out first. Which led to one of the rarest, fastest, and priciest Volkswagen Beetles ever: the Beetle RSI. Volkswagen Beetle RSI …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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A red 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS coupe
Coupes

The Chevrolet Cobalt SS: America’s Hot Hatch…Er, Coupe

Since the Ford Focus ST’s and Fiesta ST’s cancellation, American OEMs haven’t really offered a genuine hot hatch. However, even before those cars came out, Chevrolet was offering its own spin on the ‘sporty version of a regular car’ formula. The late-2000s HHR SS panel van is one such example. But arguably the closest thing …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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A black-and-red 2020 Mini Cooper JCW GP coming out of a blue track-side garage
Coupes

The Mini Cooper JCW GP Is a Serious Honda Civic Type R Rival

While the John Cooper Works Minis are genuinely fast and fun, there are a few hot hatches that are even faster. For example, the recently-updated Honda Civic Type R. But for the hardcore driving enthusiast, there’s a new Mini Cooper available: the Mini Cooper JCW GP. And it’s seriously gunning for the Civic Type R’s …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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White with red-and-blue stripes 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione I Martini 5 Edition hot hatch on a wet road in front of a grassy hill
Trends

The Lancia Delta Integrale May Be the Ultimate Hot Hatch

Today, turbochargers are a standard part of the hot hatch formula. And some of the hottest, like the Golf R, rely on all-wheel drive for greater speed and traction. Both helped start the legends of cars like the Audi Ur-Quattro, Subaru WRX, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. But all 3 were hard-pressed to keep up with …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Tan 2019 Mini Cooper JCW hatchback going around a track
Trends

Are the Mini Cooper JCW Models Worth Considering?

Ownership by BMW has taken Mini quite a bit from its beginnings. Although it still makes the Mini Cooper, the brand has expanded its offerings to include larger cars like the Countryman. And even though it also offers hybrids and EVs, Mini maintains some connections to its past. Particularly in the form of the Mini …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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White 2002 Honda Civic Type R (left) vs blue 2020 Honda Civic Type R
Trends

Watch the Latest Honda Civic Type R Face Its Predecessor

Newly sharpened for 2020, the Honda Civic Type R has proven to be one of the best hot hatches on sale today. It’s a fitting successor to the moniker started in the US by the Acura Integra Type R. However, today’s CTR approaches performance from a different perspective than the originals, eschewing high-revving naturally-aspirated engines …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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Trends

What Even Is A ‘Hot Hatch’?

You may have heard the term ‘hot hatch‘ before, and even if you know what some examples of hot hatches are you may not fully understand what the term means. Hot hatches are pretty uncommon, especially in the United States, but they have a lot to offer and are all-around great cars if you’re looking …
by Gabrielle DeSantis
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1991 Saab 900 Turbo SPG
Cars

The Saab 900 Turbo Was the First Modern Hot Hatch

When the original Volkswagen GTI helped start the front-wheel-drive hot hatch segment, very few production vehicles had turbos. Only high-performance cars, or rally homologation specials, could afford to house them. Today, though, turbocharging is basically a hot hatch requirement. The Fiat 500 Abarth, Hyundai Veloster N, Civic Type R, and VW GTI all have turbocharged …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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1983 Volkswagen GTI Callaway
Cars

Who Would Pay Almost $40,000 for a 1983 Volkswagen GTI?

Although the Beetle eventually led to the Porsche 911, it’s the Golf that’s arguably more important to Volkswagen. Initially sold as the Rabbit in the US, the Golf has been used for everything from basic transportation to dual-engine Pikes Peak racer. Then there’s the Volkswagen GTI, which kick-started the hot hatch segment, creating rivals like …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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2020 Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback
Cars

Toyota Is Bringing a Corolla Hot Hatch to the US

Toyota seems to be slowly regaining its performance mojo. While the Avalon TRD isn’t terribly sporty, the Camry TRD can have some racetrack fun. Unfortunately, US enthusiasts can’t get their hands on the GR Yaris. Like the Celica GT4 before it, the GR Yaris is a true AWD homologation-special hot hatch. But because it’s so …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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1995 Renault Clio Williams S2
Cars

The Renault Clio Williams Is the Best-Kept Secret VW GTI Rival

With Ford discontinuing the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, and the Fiat 500 Abarth gone too, the pool of US-market hot hatches has shrunk significantly. It’s down to the Honda Civic Type R, the Hyundai Veloster N, and the latest version of the original hot hatch, the VW GTI. However, thanks to the 25-year import …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Type 8221
Coupes

Renault 5 Turbo: Mid-Engine, RWD, Rally Racer…Hatchback

Racing homologation specials are often significantly different than the cars they’re based on. Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution got a larger engine and all-wheel drive. The Toyota Celica GT4 got that, plus a factory water-injection system. The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, meanwhile, got a revised suspension, reinforced frame, limited-slip differentials, and Recaro seats. The Isuzu Vehicross, though, looked …
by Matthew Skwarczek
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