Hot hatches

Mini has announced pricing for its fully-electric John Cooper Works (JCW) Cooper and Aceman. Set for a local release in the first quarter of 2025, pricing for the JCW Cooper will commence at $63,990, while the JCW Aceman will start at $65,990, both before on-road costs.

Renault revealed an epic, all-paw concept car at the 2022 Paris Motor Show that's visually related to the new 5 hatchback.

A wide-reaching recall has been issued by Honda Australia concerning 16,001 vehicles sold between 2021 and 2024. 

Following the first ever electric John Cooper Works models, Mini has revealed combustion counterparts in hatch and convertible guise. 

The Hyundai i30 N is one of Australia's most popular hot hatches for good reason. It represents exceptional value for money, and it's part of a dying breed - genuinely capable petrol-powered performance hatchbacks. But how does it handle one of the world's most famed and gruelling racetracks? Read on to find out.

A mysterious camouflaged Toyota GR Corolla has been spied testing at Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife. Initially thought to be a mid-like facelift (like the GR Yaris just received), more images shared by CarScoops reveal this could be an even more hardcore version of the rally-bred hot hatch. The word on the street is that it is a GRMN version, which stands for ‘Gazoo Racing Meister of the Nurburgring’.So far, the GRMN name has only been rolled out once on a previous-gen Yaris but Toyota is understood to be developing more focused versions of some of its GR models. A GRMN Supra with swan-neck wing and bigger wheels was spied testing in March this year. Toyota is yet to reveal if this is a ‘GRMN’ GR Corolla but the thinly-disguised modifications hint at extra focus. At the front there are few styling changes evident — at least not the sort you’d expect from a facelift. Like Australian cars, it has vents on top of the bonnet though it being camouflaged may nod to a higher bonnet bulge or perhaps carbon fibre construction. The front guards look a little different — possibly wider to hide thicker rubber — and feature more cooling openings. There are vents above the front wheels and an additional outlet for hot air ahead of the wheel arch. Of course, the two most obvious changes are the black, or perhaps carbon fibre, roof (like the GR Yaris) along with a generous rear wing, likely to reduce lift. It appears to use the same multi-spoke alloy wheels as the high performance GR Corolla Morizo model with red calipers behind. Finally, a closer peak inside reveals what appears to be a half roll cage in the back of the GR Corolla. It is possible this is a safety precaution for the test driver, but the neat integration suggests a factory item. Toyota developing an even more track-focused version of the GR Corolla is unlikely to be a huge surprise to hot hatch fans. It is basically customary, with Renault releasing similar special editions of its now-defunct Megane and Clio hot hatches over the years. While more power is always nice, the GR Corolla’s 1.6-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder is already a pretty high output piece of kit, developing an impressive 221kW and 400Nm in facelift guise. Perhaps a minor 10-20kW increase is on the cards but we’d expect Toyota to focus on shedding weight and adding grip for a GRMN version. The GR Corolla updates were confirmed for Australia last month, with both six-speed manual and new eight-speed auto versions due to arrive before the year is out. 

Toyota is rumoured to be prepping another feisty little hot hatch.

BYD has revealed the first official images of its 2025 Seal 06 GT. Although the name is familiar, this fully-electric hatch is expected to come in hotted-up guise to challenge the likes of the Cupra Born and MG4 Xpower.

Audi has revealed the 2025 RS3 with a smattering of visual and chassis upgrades for the hyper hatch and sedan.It is still packing the same output of 294kW/500Nm as the pre-facelift RS3 model thanks to the legendary 2.5-litre TFSI engine, which also powers the RSQ3 SUV. It remains the only five-cylinder engine still in mainstream production.This could be the last outing for Audi's venerable five-cylinder power plant, though there's a possibility it will live on after this RS3. Audi has not made any official promises yet, though.For 2025, the RS3 gains an even sportier look. A new front splitter is complemented by chequered front and rear headlight signatures that are a nod to the RS3’s performance pedigree, in addition to redesigned side air intakes and carbon detailing.Inside, RS sport bucket seats are clad in Nappa leather, while a new-look, flat bottom steering wheel swaps out physical buttons for haptic controls — something Volkswagen is moving away from.A new chequered flag button allows you to quickly access performance mode, while an RS button allows for instant access to the self-configurable RS Individual mode.Other changes are more minor and mirror the updated A3 model, such as redesigned air vents and an even smaller gear selector.Underneath, the RS3 gets more precise tuning of its chassis control systems, which Audi says will help optimise track performance.Audi says this is confirmed by its record-setting lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife of 7:33.123 minutes, more than five seconds quicker than its price-point competitor, the BMW M2.Changes include brake torque vectoring, which help the car avoid understeer when entering corners at high speeds, while also making more power available when driving in and out of bends.The RS3 comes standard with new C-rated Pirelli tyres, which can be upgraded to the more performance-oriented Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R for those seeking more grip on the track.It’ll do 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, smashing the Golf R (4.8 seconds), edging ahead of the Mercedes-AMG A45 S (3.9 seconds) and even besting its bigger RS4 brother.Power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, with the RS3 capable of hitting a top speed of 290km/h.Deliveries for the RS3 will commence across Europe from next month, while Audi Australia told CarsGuide that the RS3 won't be available in Australia until some time next year. Pricing for the RS3 will start in Germany at €66,000 (A$108,741), with the sedan being €2000 (A$3295) dearer.The current model is priced from $95,715 for the hatchback and $98,215 for the sedan, both before on-road costs.

Toyota has broadened the appeal of its rally-bred GR Corolla hot hatch with a suite of changes — including a new transmission.