Hot hatches

Toyota has further lifted the lid on its performance aspirations, confirming each of the brand's core models are set for GR Sport go-fast makeovers.That's the word from Toyota in Europe, where the brand's sales and marketing boss, Matthew Harrison, confir

Mercedes-AMG loves power, speed and dynamic response and all three have been rolled into its compact powerhouse, the new, second-generation A 45 S hatch.

Nissan's Nismo is headed for an electric future, with the brand's executives saying "there's no question"the performance-focused sub-brand will be electrified.Nissan Australia's managing director, Stephen Lester, has told CarsGuide that his brand's

Mazda has no current plans to reincarnate a hot hatch performance version of the Mazda3, despite numerous senior executives demonstrating a desire to do so. The fastest Mazda3s we’ve seen since the 2014 demise of the MPS versions that spanned the first two generations of Mazda’s small hatch, have been the petrol SP25 models and the short-lived diesel XD Astina. These could be described as warm hatches at best, while traditional hot hatches like the Golf GTI have only been getting hotter alongside new entrants like the Hyundai i30 N. Reports from the Mazda3’s local launch in April suggested there was a plan for the return of a proper Mazda3 performance hatch. These were supported by a recent report from the UK where Mazda3 Program Manager Kota Beppu clearly stated his desire to see the return of such a model. This sentiment has also been echoed by senior Mazda Australia staff. There were also chuckles and wry smiles all round when Mazda global development and product planning boss Hiroyuki Matsumoto was asked about such a model at the international launch of the Mazda3 Skyactiv-X last week. But his body language changed altogether as he delivered his answer: “We are capable of creating engine to answer such demands for more power, but at the moment we have no plan to do it.”This comes just a fortnight after news suggesting Mazda is about to enter the 3 in the production-related TCR motorsport series, which would seem an ideal fit alongside a showroom hot hatch.   Perhaps such a model has been deemed a mere distraction, as the company prepares for the return of a rotary-engined sports car, which we hope will form a centrepiece of the brand’s 100th birthday celebrations in 2020.  Either way, you can stop holding your breath for a hot Mazda3.

Peugeot’s local arm has confirmed it will roll out a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and the first car to get it will be a new faster version of the Peugeot 308 hatchback.

The incoming Toyota Supra GR will be the first of several new performance-focused variants to land in Australia, with go-fast versions of the brand's wider lineup expected to begin arriving as early as 2020.It is understood the sprinkling of more performa

BMW is planning a massive shake-up of its M Division lineup, including plans for an A45-rivalling 1 Series that produces 300kW.International reports today suggest plans have been approved for a new go-fast 1 Series, with an M-stamped model with AWD and 30

A turbocharged Mazda 3 hot hatch is coming, but before you rush off to your nearest dealership, there is a sizeable catch you should be probably be made aware of.Reports surfaced this week claiming Mazda will be the latest manufacturer to enter the

Call it what you will; a rite of passage, a bucket list tick off, a mad fang... driving on Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Mini’s hard-charging John Cooper Works GP has been seen lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit this week, albeit with a camouflage livery, giving racing fans a first glimpse at the new-generation hot hatch.