Here’s two versions of the original 205 GTi commercial that we think has been trashed by the 208 GTi update. Take a look and let us know if you like Peugeot’s old stuff better than their new stuff.
Tag: hot hatch
By all accounts the Peuegot 208 GTi is a very fine car. It brings Peugeot back into the hot hatch market with genuine credibility. The limited edition 30th anniversary model takes this to a new level, while reminding us of the masterful 205 GTi.
Then this video comes along and f@#ks it all up.
[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]
The Volkswagen Golf R is the best wet weather performance car money can buy. At least that’s the deal according to British mag Autocar who has just published its results from a seven-car comparison.
Included in the test were (ranked in finishing order):
- Volkswagen Golf R
- Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
- Audi RS4 Avant
- Nissan GT-R
- Range Rover Sport
- MINI Cooper
- Toyota GT86
In the five tests conducted the Golf R finished no lower than fourth and came first in the Lateral G and Lap Time test. It also came second in the 30–0mph test. The cars were awarded points for each test (lowest score wins) and when they were all tallied up the Haldex V-equipped Golf R won the test by a single point from the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, which came first in three of the five tests (a full table of results is available below). So why didn’t the Porsche win overall?
The 911 finished first in so many tests that it could have won, such is its traction and the water displacement properties of its tyres. In lateral grip tests, however, that was less of an issue and its inherent rear-biased weight distribution unsettled it to the extent that the Golf R nips ahead of it. Strong everywhere – under acceleration, braking and laterally – the Golf R is the ideal way to make a car for wet conditions. It goes, stops and grips like no other.
But, the thing we enjoyed the most from this piece was the intro:
How entirely fitting it was that the day of this test was that day that always comes each autumn. You know the one. It’s Monday morning. You leave the house in darkness. It is pelting with rain. You know that you’ll not return before darkness. There is no question about it: you will need a decent coat, from this very day forward, until the return of spring.
Thank god for Australia!
[Source: Autocar]
Categories
Hot hatch heaven
This video showcasing eight seven of the best hot hatches money can buy is not perfect, but it is pretty cool. The clip was published by the Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube channel and features French racer Nic Minassian behind the wheel of four old and four new hot hatches, listed below:
- Honda: EP3 Civic Type R v FN2 Civic Type R
- Peugeot: 205 GTi v 208 GTi
- Renault: Clio Williams v Megane RS 265
- Volkswagen: Mk1 Golf GTI v Mk7 Golf GTD
Save for the GTD that makes for a very impressive line up of cars, all of which we would love to drive. And driving them all on the same day, on the same road, well, that would be a great day out.
Just don’t expect this clip to wow you with performance stats or hard data.
Categories
Honda Civic Type R Concept revealed (again)
Honda has previewed the Civic Type R Concept it will have on display at the Paris Motor Show later this week. And if you think you’ve seen it before, that’s because you have. That “strikinig luminous blue” paint scheme isn’t fooling anyone.
The hype about this new Civic Type R has shifted up a gear, too, with Honda claiming the 2.0 litre turbocharged engine will be the most responsive the company ever made. Yes, even better than the original NSX.
“Honda has had four Type R model derivatives—the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX,” recalls Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D. “The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivalled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response.”
More important than any of that, though, is the fact the 2015 Civic Type R will boast a +R button on the steering wheel. None of those other cars ever had that, did they!
“In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration,” Hasshi-san explained. “The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, sure to set pulses racing.
“The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for the track and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast.”
Other details revealed by Honda include the very pleasing news that the hero hot hatch will be built exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Handling will be aided by a four-point Adaptive Damper System with a number of settings available depending on the driver’s mood.
The Civic Type R is a pretty cool looking car in concept form and let’s hope Honda stays true to its form when the production model is released next year. We think they will, unlike those numbskulls at Subaru.
Renault’s latest limited edition example of the Megane hot hatch, the RS275, is now on sale in Australia and it will set you back $52,990. For those playing at home, that’s just $3,090 more than an Audi S1.
In exchange for your money Renault will oblige you with a finely tuned Megane riding on a Cup chassis and now with 202kW on tap from its 2.0 litre turbocharged four pot. You’ll be able to impress your mates by bragging about your Akrapovic exhaust, that’s if they don’t hear you coming first. It’s a Renault, so you get lots of in your face decals too. It must be fast, right, just look at all the pretty stickers!
Only 100 of these RS275 Trophy models will be offered for sale in Australia. It’s okay, though, if you miss out just wait until next year when the next limited edition hot Megane is up for grabs.
Got a spare $49,900? If so then you can rush down to your closest Audi dealer and buy yourself an S1 Sportback.
When you get there we’re sure you’ll be disappointed to learn that Audi Australia has once again robbed you of the chance to buy your hot hatch in the more appealing three door layout, but at least you can laugh at all those double-clutch schmucks with your very own 6-speed manual gearbox.
Of course, you’ll also have a smile on your face thanks to the 170kW/370Nm 2.0 TFSI engine and a better than the pub critic will ever admit Haldex-based quattro all-wheel drive system stuffed under that pretty funky bodywork.
As is Audi’s wont these days, they’ve gathered up a whole bunch of goodies into special equipment packages. This is cleverly done to prise more money from your wallet while making it look like you’re getting a screaming bargain.
Then, when you’ve taken Audi up on those bargains, paid the nice government folk all their taxes, your $50K hot hatch, which once seemed reasonably priced, is now all of a sudden pushing $65K and you’re left thinking why didn’t I just buy an S3!
Cheekiness aside, we do think the S1 is a proper feisty little bit of kit and we wouldn’t at all object if you put good reason to one side and said, “Yes please Audi, I’ll have me one of those!”
Full details await after the break.
Categories
Volkswagen updates 6R Polo GTI
Volkswagen has given us a pictorial update for its facelifted Polo GTI. We already think it’s the little hot hatch that could, but it’s now even better; for two reasons: 1. it has more power, and 2. you can buy it with a proper 6-speed manual gearbox!
Power is only up by 9kW to a new peak of 141kW but it has been achieved by ditching the technical and sometimes troublesome 1.4 litre twincharged engine for a 1.8 litre turbo unit usually seen in the Audi range.
Details for the new Polo GTI are thin on the ground at the moment but we know torque has also been given a boost and it’s now up to 320Nm, a pretty healthy nudge from the previous model’s 250Nm.
It’s okay, Playstation nerds can still get their fix through the option of a 7-speed DSG transmission, but the fact the Pogo is now available with a proper manual box is a great score for trad hot hatch fans.
We’re expecting full details once the Paris Motor Show is underway and we’ll update you when we can. Meanwhile there’s a few more pics for you after the break. It’s always been a nice looking car the 6R Polo, and this facelifted GTI is perhaps the best looking iteration yet.
The Audi S1 is a hot hatch that we would very much like to try for ourselves. It was released back in February and at the time Audi Australia told us it would go on sale locally in the third quarter of 2014. Guess what quarter we’re in now? That’s right, it’s the third, so the S1 should be here very soon.
XCAR has chimed in with a timely video to give us an idea of what to expect when the S1 is ready and waiting for the AUSmotive treatment. As noted we’re keen to learn more, but will it really be a hyperhatch?
This flaming Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG has put the hot into hot hatch. The smoking Benz erupted into flames shortly after another motorist noticed smoke coming from the bonnet area and suggested the driver pull over.
Details are thin on the ground at this stage but thankfully the driver was able to escape without injury. Fire crews were soon at the scene to extinguish the blaze.
According to NSW Police the cause of the fire was a “mechanical fault”. We’ll endeavour to find out more and if we do we’ll let you know.
[Source: Daily Mail Australia | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]
UPDATE Monday 4 August: AUSmotive contacted Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific for comment this morning. Spokesman David McCarthy replied promptly saying: “Until we have investigated the incident we are not able to comment.” He also said, they are “very keen to know the cause”.
The latest track battle from Evo is totally pointless, but that’s precisely what makes it compulsory viewing! Dicke Meaden, no stranger to a racetrack, pairs up the awesome Audi R8 V10 plus with the fesity little Renault Clio Cup racecar.
Taking a quick view at the basic specs of each the ingredients of the script are pretty self-explanatory. We’ve got a 540hp+ mid-engined supercar weighing in at around 1500kg, plus driver, against a 220hp race-prepped hot hatch tipping the scales at 1200kg, including driver, with the added benefit of competition-spec slick tyres.
Whatever happens, even if it goes to the script you’ve formulated already, this is just a cool video. What a great day at work it would have been for Meaden. Jealous much!
Take two Volkswagen Group products to the track, in this case the Golf R and the Leon Cupra 280, thrash them about and see if you can come to a conclusion as to which is best.
The circuit in question is the tight and twisty Cadwell Park and Autocar scribe Steve Sutcliffe is telling the story. The Golf has a bit more power but thanks to its 4motion all-wheel drive system has a bit more weight than the Leon. Both cars share a 6-speed DSG. Remember, the Leon Cupra 280, for a brief moment, held the FWD lap record at the Nürburgring.
What do you think will happen next?
[Thanks to Mark for the tip]