Hot hatches

Formula One world champion Jenson Button has returned to Bathurst’s Mount Panorama circuit to set what Honda Australia is claiming as a “benchmark” lap time for a road-going front-wheel drive production car.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed an all-wheel drive version of the i30N hot hatch is a live product evaluation program, with engineering prototypes currently in development and testing.

Renault Australia has released an upgraded Megane RS range for the 2019 model year, priced from $45,990 plus on-road costs.The 2019 Megane RS range has been split into two models - Sport and Cup - for a more streamlined range. The Cup is also now available as a six-speed dual-clutch auto. Standard kit on the Megane RS Sport includes an 8.7-inch portrait multimedia system with satellite navigation, 19-inch alloy wheels, '4Control' four-wheel steering, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic parking, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, distance warning and AEB, heated/auto-folding mirrors and automatic LED headlights and wipers.Replacing the previously optional Cup pack is the full-time Megane RS Cup, which adds a 10 per cent stiffer chassis than the Sport, as well as a mechanical limited-slip front differential, dark 19-inch alloy wheels and bi-material brakes. Sport DCT and all Cup models are now equipped with a Bose sound system and alcantara/leather upholstery as standard. Metallic paint is available for $800 ($1000 for ‘Liquid Yellow’ or ‘Tonic Orange’) and a panoramic sunroof is $1990 (unavailable on Sport manual). 

Toyota's promise to build "ever better cars" is one the brand is clearly taking seriously, with work now complete on a mini Nurburgring in the Japanese mountains for the brand to test its next-gen performance cars.

Goodyear has taken its high-performance tyre technology to the next level with the introduction of the Eagle F1 Supersport tyre range, which will take on the likes of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Pirelli P Zero Cup 2 in the Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP) tyre market.

Mazda is reportedly mulling adding a go-fast version of its new Mazda3 to its line-up, with approval for a new hot hatch packing a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine that feeds power to all four wheels now just "a formality".

Since as far back as the Golf MkIII, Volkswagen's famous hatch has had higher performance versions than just the GTI.

March is traditionally a breather month after a usual weak sales start to the year. Given the market downturn so far, it could be a bit tougher than before. That means the new car deals will start coming hot and strong so we’ll publish some of the best that could save you some big bucks.

The Honda Civic Type R is all kinds of awesome, but can the watered-down Civic RS deliver the same kind of motoring magic? We put one to the test to find out.

NSW Police has debuted a new member; a fully liveried Honda Civic Type R that will join the fleet for the next 12 months.