Hatchbacks

At a recent presentation Alfa Romeo CEO Antonio Baravalle revealed details about two new hatchback models that are in development, an entry-level three-door and a C-segment five-door. The first car will be the replacement for the 147 hatch, which will be dropping the numeric naming pattern and...

Peugeot’s new 308, now in its eighth-generation, will be appearing in showrooms across Europe in September and will be available with ten different powerplant options. The new styling offers a slippery drag coefficient of 0.29, which enables the ultra-efficient 1.6L HDi variant to emit only...

Ford is planning to release the next-generation model of its Ka minicar one year after the launch of the Fiat 500, with which it shares the same platform. As previewed in these renderings, the new Ka keeps the curvy shape of the current model but gets new rounded headlights that taper back along...

Mitsubishi has given the green light for a production version of the five-door Lancer Sportback, which was first displayed as a concept car back at the 2005 Frankfurt Show. If designers stick with the styling of the concept version, we think the wagon-based Sportback would actually look better than...

The final variation of the Peugeot 207 lineup has finally been revealed, 15 months after the launch of the new small hatch range. The 207 SW officially goes on sale on the 5th of next month and will be available in both three and five-door bodystyles. Peugeot has set ambitious sales targets for the...

We previously reported that it would take BMW 6 months to add fuel saving technologies to the Mini MK2, but today the company announced that all Mini models would get the changes by August, only three months away. With the changes, the MINI Cooper D will be capable of returning an astonishing...

Ford of Europe has apparently axed plans for the development of the sporty Focus RS hot-hatch because of concerns over carbon-dioxide emissions. The RS version of the facelifted Focus due next year was one of the most eagerly anticipated models in Ford’s Euro lineup, with some customers...

Could the new Corolla really get a V6 powerplant? According to one of its developers, the engine bay can fit anything from a 1.4L four-banger to a 3.5L V6. Toyota technician Soichiro Okudaira, who spoke with AutoTelegraaf.nl, revealed that execs are seriously considering launching a V6 powered...

The Seat Leon Cupra is already a top contender for the car with the most bang for your buck, but to tuning house JE Design, the standard car’s 240hp (177kw) just didn’t cut it. Following from its previous Leon FR hatch, the developers turned to the Cupra to get that extra power fix...

The Wörthersee 2007 tuner show was the site for the return of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli. First released in 1983 as a limited edition model, the original Pirelli featured specially designed alloy wheels with the “Pirelli P” on their outer edges and sold over 10,000 units in the...

Suzuki is set to expand its lineup in the US with the reintroduction of its Swift small hatch that’s scheduled to hit showrooms sometime in 2010. The current model pictured above has reignited interest in the brand with its extensive standard features, distinctive styling and resurgence in...

General Motors in the US will once again call on its European cohort for its latest addition to the Saturn lineup. Starting from 2009, US customers will be able to sample the Vectra Caravan, which will be sold alongside its Saturn Aura sedan sibling. The first cars are scheduled to roll out of...

Renault has launched its latest hot-hatch, the limited edition Clio Renaultsport 197 Team F1 R27. Using the base Clio Renaultsport 197 as a starting point, Renault’s performance arm has added its Cup Chassis, which is set to become an option on all Clio models later this year. Among the...

Chery Automobile will unveil a new concept car at this month’s Shanghai Auto Show, the third such concept from the Chinese carmaker to be designed and built by Torino Design in Turin, Italy. Pegged as a premium small hatch, the concept car will carry the title Shooting Sport and is reported...

These are the first official images of Fiat's cute 500, the Italian rival to popular minicars such as the MINI Cooper and Nissan Micra. The 500 was originally planned to hit the market in September but it’s now scheduled to be released on the 4th of July, and unlike the original "cinquecento"...

Volkswagen is rumored to be developing a new entry-level model positioned below its small Fox hatch that's due for release by 2009. The vehicle will be aimed at emerging markets and is likely to be built in Russia, India or China. Buyers in these regions value low costs over style and accessories...

Click here for all the official information and pictures for the 2009 Volkswagen Golf Mark VI Volkswagen is rushing the next-generation of its Golf hatch to spearhead declining sales of the current Mark V model in the US, making the new model cheaper to build with better quality and more...

Mazda will use next month’s Geneva Motor Show to officially debut its new compact car. The 'Zoom-Zoom' company is moving from strength to strength with the reinvention of its image that started with the introduction of the Mazda6 back in 2002 and continues with its latest addition, the...

These are the first official images of Ford’s new Mondeo, a car that will be making its global debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Like the S-MAX, which won Europe’s 2007 Car of the Year award, the new Mondeo is sure to prove popular thanks to its comprehensive list of...

Volkswagen today announced the return of its motorsport-inspired R32 at the Chicago Auto Show, a potent hatch with much of the same running gear as the much more expensive Audi TT coupe.The R32's power comes from a 3.2L naturally aspirated 15-degree narrow angle V6 engine developing 250hp and...