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Hot hatch

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Modern hot hatches
A small front-engined car with three doors, wing mirrors, and alloy wheels
Toyota GR Yaris (2020–present)
A medium-sized front-engined car with five doors, wing mirrors, alloy wheels, and a rear aerofoil
Honda Civic Type R (FK8) (2017–2021)
A medium-sized front-engined car with five doors, wing mirrors, and alloy wheels
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport (Mk8) (2021–present)

A hot hatch (shortened from hot hatchback) is a high-performance variant of a hatchback car. The term originated in the mid-1980s; however, faster factory versions of hatchbacks have been produced since the 1970s. A front-mounted engine that uses petrol for fuel, together with front-wheel drive, is the most common powertrain layout, however all-wheel drive has become more commonly used since around 2010. Most hot hatches are of European or Asian origin.

Etymology

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Usage of the term "hot hatchback" began in the United Kingdom in 1983,[citation needed] which was shortened to "hot hatch" in 1984.[1] The term first appeared in The Times in 1985,[2] and is now commonly and widely accepted as a mainstream, albeit informal, term. It is retrospectively applied to cars from the late 1970s but was not a phrase used at the time.[3] While hot hatches generally come with two-box designs, three-box/sloped liftback designs are not unheard of, with some of them crossing into sports sedan territory.


Due to the historical scarcity of hatchback cars in the United States,[citation needed] the term hot hatch is not widely used in the US.

Since the 1990s and 2000s,[citation needed] the term warm hatch has been used to describe sporting hatchback models that are slower than a hot hatch (i.e. a "junior" version of a hot hatch).[4] Examples include the Mini Cooper (which sits below the Mini Cooper S),[5] Peugeot 207 GT (which sits below the Peugeot 207 GTi)[6] Suzuki Swift Sport,[5] and Toyota Yaris SR.[7]

History

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1960s and 1970s

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A small front-engined car with three doors
1979 Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1)

The 1961 Mini Cooper was one of the first performance cars to use a small body and an FF layout, both key characteristics of a hot hatchback. However, the Mini was not produced in a hatchback body style until 2001 and is therefore not considered a hot hatch.

The first car to meet the criteria of a hot hatch, the AMC Gremlin, was introduced in the United States on April 1, 1970. Promoted as "America's first subcompact",[8] it came standard with a 3.3 L straight-six engine with an optional 3.8 L upgrade. By the 1972 model year it was available with a 5 L V-8 engine. The manufacturer described the Gremlin as "a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies," emphasizing its performance and radical design in comparison to other cars in its class. Compared to the Volkswagen Beetle, it was two inches longer, achieved comparable fuel economy, and sold for $1 less in the eastern US, though its base engine delivered 128 horsepower, more than twice that of the German subcompact.[9]

The first European hot hatch was the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, introduced in September 1971. It was prepared by the motorsports division of the Fiat Group, at first with a 982 cc engine, obtained by increasing the stroke, coupled to a sporting exhaust, a twin-choke carburetor, and a different camshaft.

In 1973, the Simca 1100[10][11] Ti was launched. It had its power increased by 40% to 82 hp (61 kW), which resulted in a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of under 12 seconds and a top speed of 105 mph (169 km/h). Other upgrades included front disc brakes, front and rear spoilers and alloy wheels. The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti was launched in the same year. Along with a 5-speed gearbox, it featured a more powerful version of the standard 1.2 litre engine, brought to 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) by adopting a Weber twin-choke carburettor, allowing the small saloon to reach 160 km/h (99 mph).

The Renault 5 Alpine[11][12] (called Gordini in the United Kingdom), which went on sale in May 1976. It had a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h) and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 10 seconds.

The car credited with establishing the popularity of hot hatches is the Volkswagen Golf GTI,[11][13][14] which was announced at the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show.[15] and released in July 1976.[16] The Golf GTI was originally designated to be sold only in West Germany, but from 1977 Volkswagen began exports of the (left-hand drive only) GTI.[17] Production of right-hand drive GTI's began in 1979.

The Renault 5 Alpine and Volkswagen Golf GTI, with the addition of a more powerful engine, sharper handling, distinctive body styling with additional spoilers and alloy wheels, helped create the birth of a huge market for small, practical hatchback cars with performance to match contemporary coupes such as the Ford Capri 2.0, Lancia Beta Coupe 2000 and Renault 17 TS. With top speeds above 110 mph (177 km/h), the Alpine and GTI enjoyed a short run of unparalleled sales success until the early 1980s.[citation needed]

There were two hot hatches created specifically for competition. In 1978, Vauxhall created the Chevette HS and HSR by fitting the 2.3 litre slant-four engine, using a 16-valve cylinder head. Fitted with two Stromberg carburettors the engine developed 135 bhp (the HSR developed 150 bhp). In 1979, Chrysler developed the Lotus Sunbeam which used the Lotus 1973 cc 16V slant four engine. Power output of 150 bhp (112 kW) and a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. Despite being rear-wheel drive, the Sunbeam is considered a hot hatch.[18]

1980s

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A small rear-mid-engined car with three doors
1982 Renault 5 Turbo

Until the early 1980s, the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI and the Renault 5 Alpine/Gordini dominated the retrospectively named hot hatch market segment in many European markets.

From around 1984, the market for hatchbacks with sportier performance grew, and many manufacturers added a hot hatch variant to their range. Power increases were achieved through upgraded carburettors (e.g. the Ford Fiesta XR2),[19] fuel injection (e.g. the Peugeot 205 GTI),[20] turbocharging (e.g. the Renault 5 GT Turbo), supercharging (e.g. the Polo G40) or fitting larger engines (e.g. the 2.0 litre Fiat Ritmo/Strada Abarth 130 TC).[21] Other significant hot hatches of the 1980s include the Ford Escort RS Turbo, Opel Kadett GTE (also known as Vauxhall Astra GTE), Renault 11 Turbo, Lancia Delta HF Integrale (all-wheel drive), Citroën AX GT and Suzuki Swift GTi.

By the end of the 1980s, the hot hatch was hugely popular in Europe, and was pushing into other worldwide markets. The brief heyday of Group B rallying pushed the hot hatch genre to its limits, and small numbers of ultra-high performance variants were manufactured to comply with the rally rules (often termed "homologation specials"). These vehicles represented a brief, extreme branch of the hot hatch, and included such notable vehicles as the Lancia Delta S4, MG Metro 6R4 and Peugeot 205 T16.[22]

1990s

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A medium-sized front-engined car with three doors and a rear aerofoil
1992–1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

European manufacturers continued to produce hot hatches through the 1990s, including the Ford Fiesta RS Turbo,[23] Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Peugeot 106 Rallye / GTi, Peugeot 306 GTi-6 / Rallye, Renault Clio Williams, SEAT Ibiza GTi / GT 16v / Cupra, Volkswagen Golf GTI / VR6 and Ford Focus ST170.

Japanese manufacturers also began to produce hot hatches, including the Honda Civic Type R, Mazda 323 GT-R, Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, Suzuki Swift GTi and Toyota Corolla GTi.

2000s

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A medium-sized front-engined car with three doors
2000 Audi S3 (8L)

Hot hatches continued to get faster through the 2000s, with an increasing number of models using turbocharged engines. During the 2000s manufacturers started to emphasise the sub-brand of their hot hatch derivatives such as Renault's Renault Sport,[24] Opel's OPC, Vauxhall's VXR[25] and Fiat's Abarth.[26]

European-built hot hatches from the 2000s include the Abarth Grande Punto, Alfa Romeo 147 GTA,[27] Audi S3,[28] Ford Fiesta ST,[29] Ford Focus ST/RS,[30][31] MG ZR,[32] Mini Cooper S/JCW,[29] Opel/Vauxhall Astra SRi Turbo/OPC/VXR,[29] Peugeot 206 RC/207 GTi,[29] Renault Clio RS/Mégane RS,[29] SEAT León Cupra/FR+SEAT Ibiza Cupra/FR[33][31] and Volkswagen Golf GTI[34]/Golf R.[30] Asian-built hot hatches included the Honda Civic Type R,[30]Mazdaspeed 3,[35] and Proton Satria GTi.[28]

2010s

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A medium-sized front-engined car with five doors
2012–2014 Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (W176)

Although all-wheel drive system has been made available for hot hatches since the 1980s, further increases to power outputs saw more adoption of the drivetrain on several hot hatches in the 2010s, such as the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R,[36][37] 2011 Audi RS 3,[38][39] 2013 Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG,[40] and the 2015 Ford Focus RS.[41][42] With these models expanding the definition of hot hatches from front-wheel drive to also include all-wheel drive, the hatchback versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX/STI that have been produced at various times could be considered to be hot hatches. However, the WRX/STI is generally considered a compact saloon (to rival the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution),[43] rather than a hot hatch.

The majority of hot hatches continued with the traditional front-wheel drive layout, with many models producing in excess of 201 kW (270 bhp)[44] and the Ford Focus RS 500 producing 257 kW (345 bhp).[45] The BMW M135i/M140i is a rare example of a rear-wheel drive hot hatch from the 2010s.

Another technical development for hot hatches since 2010 is the increasing use of dual-clutch transmissions.

The W177 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, which was introduced in 2019, is the first mass-produced hot hatch that exceeded the 298 kW (400 bhp) border, with its M139 engine producing 310 kW (416 bhp).[46]

Asia

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Japanese-built hot hatches include the 1982 Honda City Turbo, 1984 Isuzu Piazza XS Turbo, 1986 Suzuki Cultus GTi, 1988 Nissan March Super Turbo, 1988 Toyota Corolla GTi (AE92), 1989 Daihatsu Charade GTti, 1990 Toyota Starlet GT Turbo, 1992 Mazda 323 GT-R, 1992 Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg R, 1994 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, 1995 Nissan Pulsar VZ-R N1, 1996 Toyota Starlet Glanza, 1997 Honda Civic Type R, 1999 Toyota Yaris TS, 2004 Toyota Corolla TS, 2005 Suzuki Swift Sport, 2006 Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R, 2007 Mazdaspeed3, 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback, 2020 Toyota GR Yaris,.

South Korean manufacturers began to produce hot hatches in 2013 with the Kia Pro_Cee'd GT.[47] Hyundai's first hot hatch, the i30 N, was released in 2017 and was awarded Best Hot Hatch at the 2018 UK Car of the Year Awards.[48] The Veloster N was released in 2019 and was awarded the 2020 Performance Car of the Year by Road and Track Magazine. [49]

North America

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See also: Sport compact

In the 1980s, hot hatches built by Ford in the United States include the 1983 Escort GT (and its twin the Mercury Lynx XR3),[50][51][52] Chrysler hot hatches include the 1984 Dodge Omni GLH ("Goes Like Hell")[53] and the 1986 Shelby GLHS ("Goes Like Hell S'more").[54] General Motors produced the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24,[55] 1986 Pontiac Sunbird GT[56] and 1987 Buick Skyhawk Sport Hatch[57] with rear hatches, however these are hatchback coupes, rather than traditional utilitarian hatchbacks.

More recent North American hot hatches include the 2002 Ford Focus SVT,[58] 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4,[59][60] and 2016 Ford Focus RS.[61]

Ford stopped production of the Fiesta and Focus models in 2018,[62] which also ended the production of the ST and RS models and left American automakers with no hot hatch offerings.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Motor". 166. Temple Press. 1984. Retrieved 24 December 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ The Times, Friday August 16, 1985; pg. 21; Issue 62218
  3. ^ Autocar 5000th Road Test edition March 2011
  4. ^ "Daily Mirror 4 January 2008". www.mirror.co.uk. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Ford Fiesta ST v MINI Cooper v Suzuki Swift Sport". www.autoexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  6. ^ "First Drives: Peugeot 207". www.autoexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Warm under the collar". www.telegraph.co.uk. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  8. ^ Wilson, Bob. "1971 ad Gremlin Grembin". arcticboy.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Autos: Shifting Down for the '70s". Time. 23 February 1970. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. ^ "History of the hot hatch: in pictures". www.msn.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  11. ^ a b c "History of Hot Hatches in ten cars". www.topgear.com. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  12. ^ "History of the hot hatch: in pictures". www.msn.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  13. ^ "The Best Hot Hatches". www.roadandtrack.com. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  14. ^ "History of the hot hatch: in pictures". www.msn.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  15. ^ "Evo November 2010". Evo.co.uk. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Here's the History of the First Hot Hatch: the Volkswagen Golf GTI". www.thedrive.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Rabbit Rocket: The Volkswagen GTI and the Birth of the Hot Hatch > Ate Up With Motor". www.ateupwithmotor.com. 27 June 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  18. ^ "Lotus Sunbeam driven". www.evo.co.uk. August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  19. ^ "1981-1989 FORD Fiesta XR2". Octane Classic. Archived from the original on 10 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  20. ^ "Peugeot 205 GTi Crowned "The Greatest Ever Hot Hatch"". Car Scoop. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  21. ^ "1984-1987 FIAT Strada Abarth 130TC". www.classicandperformancecar.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  22. ^ "The 20 greatest hot hatches of the 1980s". www.motoringresearch.com. 30 July 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  23. ^ "Ford Fiesta RS Turbo (1990 - 1992)". Friday Ad. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  24. ^ "New Renault range announced". Fifth Gear. Channel 5. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
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  26. ^ "Fiat 500C Abarth 1.4 16v Turbo". AA. December 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  27. ^ "Power Crazed". Evo. November 2002. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  28. ^ a b "Hot Source". Motor (August 2000). ACP Action: 123.
  29. ^ a b c d e "The Knowledge". Evo Magazine (148): 152. October 2010.
  30. ^ a b c "VW Golf GTI – we drive all seven generations of the legendary hot hatch". www.telegraph.co.uk. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Ford Focus ST-2 v SEAT Leon 2.0T FSI FR". Auto Express. September 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  32. ^ "MG ZR (2001 - 2005)". www.honestjohn.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  33. ^ "Ford Focus RS v Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup v SEAT Leon Cupra R v VW Golf GTI". Evo. January 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  34. ^ "Best Hot Hatch". Auto Express. October 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  35. ^ "2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 review notes". 27 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  36. ^ "Volkswagen Golf R: Hottest Golf yet!". www.motorward.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  37. ^ Okulski, Travis. "2012 Volkswagen Golf R: The Jalopnik Review". www.jalopnik.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Audi RS3 review - 376bhp, four-wheel drive BMW M2 rival". www.evo.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  39. ^ "2015 Audi RS3 Sportback review". www.autoevolution.com. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  40. ^ "14 New Cars That Make Crazy Horsepower Per Liter". Road & Track. 19 September 2017.
  41. ^ "Ford Focus RS Reviews". www.caranddriver.com. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  42. ^ "Ford Focus RS review 2018". www.whatcar.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Subaru WRX STI vs. Mitsubishi Evolution X - Comparison Test - Motor Trend". www.motortrend.ca. 26 December 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Top 10 most powerful hot hatchbacks". www.motor1.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  45. ^ "Top Gear hot hatch power league 9 December 2010". Topgear.com. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  46. ^ "The world's fastest hot hatch? Mercedes reveals 310kW A45 pocket rocket".
  47. ^ "First Drive: Kia Pro Ceed 1.6T GDi GT 3dr". www.topgear.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  48. ^ "Car of the Year 2018 - Best Hot hatch". www.whatcar.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  49. ^ "2020 Performance Car of the Year". Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  50. ^ "Retro Review: '83 Ford Escort GT". www.youtube.com. MotorWeek. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  51. ^ "History Lessons #19 – 1983 Ford Escort Turbo GT". www.project-st.com. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  52. ^ "Ford Escort History". www.edmunds.com. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  53. ^ "Edmunds.com". Edmunds.com. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  54. ^ Keeshin, Ben. "7 Unmissable Shelbys Going Up for Auction at Pebble Beach". www.thedrive.com. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  55. ^ "GM Made A V6 Hot Hatch Ten Years Before Volkswagen". www.kinja.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  56. ^ "Class of '86 – Pontiac Sunbird GT". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  57. ^ "Buick's Turbocharged Skyhawk: America's Forgotten Hot-Hatch". www.cheatsheet.com. 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  58. ^ Pund, Daniel (March 2002). "Ford SVT Focus vs. Honda Civic Si, VW GTI". Car and Driver. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  59. ^ "2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4". www.motortrend.ca. 2 September 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  60. ^ Markus, Frank (November 2007). "First Drive: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4". Motor Trend. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  61. ^ "Ford Focus RS review – is Ford's hyperactive hatchback a cut price Audi RS3?". www.evo.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  62. ^ Perkins, Chris (25 April 2018). "Ford Will Stop Selling Fiesta, Focus, Fusion In North America". Road & Track. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
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