Hatchbacks

Compact and sub-compact cars have traditionally fared poorly in North America where motorists have for long benefited from some of the lowest fuel prices in the world. Combine this with the fact that cars are much cheaper in North America than in most other parts of the world and it becomes easy to...

The Subaru WRX has always been a favourite of performance enthusiasts. Its combination of giant-killing performance, numerous World Rally titles and a relatively cheap price tag quickly earned it cult status around the world, and it also made it a halo model for the rest of Subaru’s lineup...

Over the weekend reports emerged detailing the new models set to revitalize the Lancia brand, and now the first of these new cars has been revealed with the release of these latest official images. The new car is the legendary Lanica Delta hatch and it’s set to make its world debut next month...

Volvo has released an updated version of its R-Design performance accessories line for the C30 hatch range, which will only be offered to a maximum of 400 customers. Like all R-Design packs, the latest kit doesn’t offer any performance upgrades, which means top end models still get a 227hp...

Fiat first displayed its rejuvenated Abarth brand at last year’s Geneva Motor Show with the unveiling of Grande Punto Abarth S2000 racer concept. It quickly followed this up with another concept, the Punto Abarth SS (Super Sport) at the Frankfurt Motor Show that same year, and now Fiat has...

Update: We can confirm these concept sketches from last week are in fact the new Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype-S, which is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. Just as the original Concept-X from the 2005 Tokyo Show and then the Prototype-X from last year’s Detroit...

Due to rising demand for fuel efficient cars in the U.S., carmakers are keen to increase their respective small car lineups in the world’s biggest market. Few are as desperate for the tiny runabouts as the Detroit 3 but things are starting to change. GM is leading the charge with plans to...

The new Mazda2 three-door hatchback will make its world premiere at Geneva’s Motor Show in March, marking the first time in the model’s history that a three-door variant is being made available. The latest version will feature the same powertrain lineup as the older five-door –...

The continuing story of America's devaluing dollar difficulties is one of ups and downs. While it's certainly disturbing for Americans to see their money worth less and less on the global scene, increasingly affordable American labor is drawing the eyes of many car makers. Already Mercedes-Benz...

Mercedes-Benz has made no secret of its desire to develop a new platform for its future A and B-Class models, and has even gone so far as at arrange formal talks with both Fiat and BMW over a possible deal to share development. It’s now been revealed that Mercedes’ Smart brand also...

Last week Tata revealed for the first time its groundbreaking Nano minicar, shocking the world with the announcement that the pint-sized runabout's price tag will start as low as 100,000 rupees (roughly $2,500 at exchange rates). This makes it the cheapest car in the world, a fact that has rival...

Chevrolet’s ‘SS’ moniker stands for Super Sport, and once upon a time Chevrolet really meant it. Legendary SS cars include the first-ever SS car, the 1961 Impala SS, the bulging and muscular Camaro SS, the Chevelle SS and even the Monte Carlo SS. But it wasn’t long before...

After failed co-development talks with Fiat, it seems now that negotiations with BMW as well have come to an end for Mercedes-Benz. Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche has reportedly suggested that it would be hard to interlink the smaller Mercedes models with other lines, which has made it hard to find a...

Ford has confirmed plans to launch the high performance RS version of the recently revealed facelifted European Focus, which is set to arrive in 2009. This latest teaser hints at the styling direction the new model is taking, revealing an aggressive new bumper and flared wheel arches. The only...

Seat is planning to unveil the latest iteration of its Ibiza hatchback at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March. The Ibiza is a crucial model in the Spanish carmaker’s lineup with sales of the current model reaching 117,963 for the first nine months of the year, roughly 40% of...

Subaru’s are famous for two things: boxer engines and symmetrical AWD mechanicals. The new Justy minicar, which has just gone on sale in Europe, has neither of these attributes and instead makes do with an ultra-efficient 1.0L inline three cylinder petrol engine and a FWD configuration. The...

The Fiat 500 carries more history and heritage than most minicars, excepting possibly the Mini. Alternately named the 500, the Cinquecento (literally, Italian for “500?) and Nuova 500, Fiat’s iconic minicar won the hearts of millions of drivers between 1957 and 1975. Since its rebirth...

Chevrolet announced today, at the Los Angeles auto show, its decision to build a minicar based on the Beat concept first shown at the 2007 New York auto show. The vehicle is expected to get 50mpg or more and will be built in South Korea, but will not be sold in the U.S initially. An online poll...

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most sought after models in the Golf lineup and has even proven to be the favored choice over the more powerful R32 in most markets. Its combination of a punchy drivetrain, slick gearbox and understated styling have won it many fans over the years and...

As if the British motor company Prodrive wasn’t busy enough running Aston Martin’s racing program or trying to break into Formula One on its own, now they’re putting their Group N and WRC experience to use, introducing kits for the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI. The 4,500€...