Hatchbacks

Over the past decade Infiniti has been carefully forging a performance image for itself, developing cars with class leading powertrains and dynamics. With the company recently announcing plans for an electric vehicle--something commonly seen as environmentally friendly and completely lacking in the...

Audi's answer to the MINI Cooper S, the A1 1.4 TFSI won't be coming to the U.S., nor will any other A1 of the current generation. Look, but don't touch, as we walk through the specs of this premium small hot-hatch. Rated at 185 horsepower, the little A1 might be worthy of an S1 badge but for the...

Chevy will be hitting Paris hard this year, bringing four new world premieres to the floor. Of the four, only the 2012 Aveo is expected for the U.S., though we can lust after the mostly-attractive Cruze five-door hatch from afar. The 2012 Chevrolet Aveo, which we last spied in sedan form in July...

We have some good news for all the Mini Diesel fans that crave a more powerful model. A car that combines the elements of the sporty MINI Cooper S and the fuel-efficiency of the MINI Diesel has been spotted in testing, suggesting that a new MINI Cooper S Diesel is in the works. The photos show a...

Ford is going global with the Focus, and by global, it means really global. That's right hot-hatch lovers, we're finally getting the Ford Focus ST right here on U.S. soil. The "early preview model" of the 2012 Focus ST hatchback will be on display September 30 at the Paris auto show. It will be...

The hatchback envy color today is orange. GM's Australian arm Holden has just unveiled its very sleek new Cruze hatch. No, it won't be coming to the U.S. Yes, it's wearing the bowtie badges, but that's because it was released by Chevrolet Europe, where it will no doubt see significant sales. Aside...

At next month’s 2010 Paris Auto Show French automaker Citroen will unveil a new hatchback designed to continue the brand’s assault on the premium vehicle market. However, while most automakers associate luxury with sedan bodystyles, Citroen is attempting to carve out its own niche as...

Everybody knows about the rip-snorting 305 horsepower Ford Focus RS, but what about the lesser ST model? We’re not talking about the lame duck North American version here, but rather the 225 horsepower five-cylinder turbo Focus ST sold overseas. The hot-hatch is essentially...

Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the Insight, as...

The 2012 BMW 1-Series will get a three-door hatchback also commonly referred to as a

The current Mercedes-Benz B-Class has enjoyed reasonable success in most of the markets it has been launched in, selling over 120,000 units in its first year alone, but the next-generation model due in 2011 is expected to sell in even higher volumes and will be sold in the U.S. for the first time...

On the back of falling sales and a model run that has lasted a decade, Chrysler finally ended production of its retro-styled PT Cruiser on Friday at its Toluca plant in Mexico. Released for the 2000 model year with retro looks and an affordable price, the PT Cruiser immediately became an icon for...

Loyal Fiat fans in the U.S. were given the opportunity to reserve a special-edition of the upcoming 500 minicar at the annual convention of the Club Fiat-Lancia that took place last week in Asheville, North Carolina. The special model, dubbed the Fiat Cinquecento ‘Prima Edizione’ (First...

The Mazdaspeed3 is the most fun you can get in a hot hatch in the U.S.

MINI fans around the world can look forward to some changes to the iconic brand’s 2011 model range, with the Cooper, Clubman, Convertible and high-performance John Cooper Works model receiving fresh styling, engine upgrades and new features. Setting apart the new lineup visually is a new...

Now that the 2010 Saab 9-5 has finally made production and being delivered to showrooms all across the country, attention turns to Saab’s other models, all of which are crucial to the long-term viability of the brand. Coming up on the horizon is the new 9-4X crossover, which is already in...

Subaru has announced pricing for the 2011 Subaru Impreza models, with the new range consisting of the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Impreza Outback Sport, as well as the new widebody Impreza WRX and WRX STI models. The well-equipped Impreza 2.5i maintains an aggressive starting price of $17,495, with the...

Suzuki is expected to expand its lineup in the U.S. with the reintroduction of its all-new Swift small hatch that’s likely to hit showrooms sometime late in the year or early next. The previous, second generation model reignited interest in the brand with its extensive standard...

In the past Audi has driven cars up slippery ski ramps to demonstrate the prowess of its engineering skills, and for its latest A1 “premium compact” the stunt driving keeps coming. This time around Audi decided to take the new A1 on a skateboard halfpipe in Brussels to show off the car’s...

Depending who you're talking to, Americans are either SUV-loving small-car haters or clamoring for more Euro-hatches to be brought to U.S. streets. Audi thinks most Americans fall into the former camp, claiming that the country's car-buying populace just isn't ready for the A1 premium subcompact...