hot hatch

Superfast Mini John Cooper Works GP for 2020

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Peter Andersonhot hatch, MINI, mini jcw0 comment

Want something fast and small? The 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP might just be for you. Some things are just meant to be. The new BMW X2 M35i rolls on the same UKL2 platform as the Mini and has the B48 turbo four. No doubt Mini’s engineers and product planners took one look at that engine and said, “We’re having that.” The press release is scant on details, the JCW GP will likely also roll with the X2’s all-wheel drive system. With 225kW (306PS) and 450Nm, the front wheels…

Cars

Mini outs special edition Hatch: 60 Years Edition

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 Spencer Leechhatchback, hot hatch, MINI0 comment

Mini Australia has released yet another special edition model, this time celebrating its sixtieth anniversary with four limited-run 60 Years Edition variants based on the Cooper and Cooper S Hatch range. Although the 60 Years Edition variant commands a $4000 premium over the models upon which they are based, Mini says the special edition adds $8500 of value with its unique badging, upholstery, interior trim and 17-inch alloys. From standard, the 60 Years Edition is coated in a British Racing Green metallic paint with a Pepper White roof and exterior…

Cars

Suzuki Swift Sport 2019 Review: Bright As A Button

March 11, 2019March 13, 2019 Peter Andersonhot hatch, suzuki, suzuki swift, suzuki swift sport, swift sport0 comment

A quick check of The Redline’s publishing engine confirms what I already knew – no Swift Sport. It’s also the least powerful car I’ve tested so far by a comfortable margin. It’s no secret that 103kW (140PS) isn’t a great deal of power. But when you’re a plucky little Suzuki Swift weighing less than 1000kg, it’s not bad at all. The Swift Sport holds a special place in my heart because it was my first video for CarsGuide. Stop sniggering. I was new. Gee it was fun, though. I loved…

Cars

Paris 2018: Hyundai i30 N N Option

October 4, 2018October 5, 2018 Peter Andersonhot hatch, hyundai, i30 N0 comment

Need a bit more Civic Type R drama in your Hyundai i30 N? Want a bit more AMG-style bling? Hyundai has you covered. As you’re probably aware, I was quite a fan of the i30 N. It’s a cracker of a car, literally in the case of the exhaust system. While I’m a big fan of its restrained approach to styling, not everybody is. Cars like this tend to attract the modder crowd so Hyundai’s N is going to offer a whole bunch of customisation options. N Option Exterior This…

Cars

Hyundai i30 N – Hail to the New King

September 17, 2018September 17, 2018 Peter Andersonhot hatch, hyundai, hyundai N, i30 N1 Comment

Hyundai’s i30 N came out of nowhere but landed to critical acclaim. It’s a muscular, fast, keenly-priced hot hatch. But is it the best? For so long if you wanted a hot hatch, you had some tough choices to make. We’re in a continuing Golden Age of the hot hatch, from Ford’s excellent Fiesta ST through to BMW’s brilliant M140i. They’re all good. There isn’t a dud among them, even the older ones. The sweet spot seems to be in the C-segment hot hatches. You can choose French, German and…

Cars

2018 Honda Civic Type R

August 5, 2018December 16, 2018 Peter Andersonhonda, honda civic, hot hatch0 comment

The Honda Civic Type R is back. I mean properly back in its pre-millenial completely mad, in-your-face hot hatch form. Honda used to be cool. I’m talking 1990s Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna duking it out cool. NSX, S2000, Prelude, Civic VTi-R – Hondas were prominent in Gran Turismo and for good reason. VTEC was a towering technological achievement. You could get Hondas with four-wheel steering. The Legend might have been an old man’s car, but it was fairly bristling with gadgets. And then…it all went dark. Dull. Boring. The…

Cars Fast Cars

Second Opinion: BMW M140i vs M2

March 25, 2018September 16, 2018 Peter Andersonbmw, hot hatch, m140i, M2, second opinion0 comment

Steve Wakeford is a member of The Redline team and this is the first of his column, Second Opinion. Now that the 1 Series M is no longer with us (a moment’s silence, please…thank you), BMW has decided that the recipe was worth repeating. And that’s a good thing. Actually, it’s a very good thing. Not a lot more than an M140i gets you entry into the wonderful world of proper ‘M’ BMWs – and when you consider what else you can get for that sort of money, the M2…

Cars Fast Cars

Side-by-side: BMW M140i vs M2

March 24, 2018December 27, 2018 Peter Andersonbmw, bmw m140i, bmw m2, hot hatch0 comment

I’ve been wanting to a M140i vs M2 comparison even since Munich’s riotous two-door joined the range a couple of years ago. The M2 is an absolute rocket and its ever-so-slight change in chassis philosophy made it a barrel of laughs the M4 never quite was. Until the M4 CS, of course. We’re still rubbing our hands in anticipation of the M3 CS. M140i vs M2 The BMW M140i is a bit of an unsung hero in the range. Idiots sniff at it not being a “real M car” –…

Cars

Detroit 18: The 2018 Hyundai Veloster N Is Here

January 16, 2018September 10, 2018 Peter Andersonhatch, hot hatch, hyundai, n, performance cars, Veloster0 comment

Hyundai unveiled the 2018 Hyundai Veloster N at the North American International Motor Show. The 2018 Hyundai Veloster N has broken cover at the Detroit Motor Show and you know what? It looks alright. Building on the (critical) success of the i30 N, the Veloster will also have an N badge slapped on the rear. If it’s half as good as the N appears to be (we’ve not yet driven the i30, but watch this space), the Veloster N will be the complete package. The N features Hyundai’s 2.0-litre turbocharged…