Hot hatches

MINI finally reveals a spicy electric variant of the iconic John Cooper Works hatch

Kia UK’s latest one-off turns first ever British model into an EV to celebrate special anniversary

The first-ever electric MINI JCW features a suitably sporty bodykit and pumps out 255bhp

We rediscover the classic French hot hatch that still thrills today

VW has finally given its ID.3 electric hatchback some serious firepower, and it all goes to the back wheels

Pure cornering bliss! Here are the best handling cars that money can buy

The souped-up version of the new MINI Cooper will be offered with petrol or electric power

Audi’s highest performing hatchback is back to battle AMG’s A45 and the BMW M2

Skoda’s award-winning Octavia gains new variants in range, including top-spec vRS

The new VW Golf R is among the most powerful Volkswagens ever produced, and there’s still an estate version

Cupra’s heavily revised Leon comes with more kit, but at a higher price

The all-electric Cupra Born has picked up some serious added firepower and chassis upgrades, but it’s not cheap

MINI’s truly hot electric Cooper will be previewed at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Honda Civic Type R is the 2024 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Ford Focus ST Track Pack and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S commended

Suzuki plans to launch its first electric car in 2025, with more due to arrive by 2030

The updated Volkswagen Golf R is here, with more power and an all-new Black Edition trim

Audi’s updated hyper hatchback and saloon still features a 395bhp five-cylinder engine, and goes on sale at the end of August

The facelifted Golf GTI goes on sale on 20 June, while plug-in hybrid versions of VW’s family hatchback are available from 27 June

Volkswagen’s hottest front-wheel drive Golf gets an update, but no more power

The all-electric hot hatch lands in Europe in May 2025, but there’s no word yet on a UK launch

The all-electric family hatchback produces between 215 and 416bhp, and is likely to make it to the UK

Also part of the mid-life refresh are a revised infotainment system and new plug-in hybrid with 62-mile EV range

The wraps will come off the high-performance Cupra Leon alongside an updated Formentor next week

Ford is making big claims about its latest fast family car, which adds exclusive equipment but no more power

Is an electric hot hatch a match for a petrol one?

Need an affordable car which delivers on both power and practicality? These cheap hot hatches fit the bill

Alpine is broadening its range with a new Renault 5-based model

The 600e will be Abarth’s most powerful car ever, and benefit from traditional hot hatch technology

The GV60 Magma Concept will spawn a hot production car that will come to the UK

AMG’s distinctive Green Hell Magno paintwork has been applied to an A45 S with some yellow highlights alongside

A celebration of Abarth’s 75th anniversary and its 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, just 1,368 examples of limited-run hot hatch will be made

The hottest Golf has been spotted trying to cool off