Hatchbacks

Volvo is currently developing a plug-in hybrid prototype based on its funky C30 hatch, which it hopes will be ready in time for November’s Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai. Unlike conventional hybrids, which use an internal combustion engine to drive the wheels during high-load, the...

Fiat’s remarkable turnaround has stunned industry insiders, who had all but written off the ailing Italian automaker. The Punto has been a big hit, but the real sign of Fiat’s return is the new Bravo, which was unveiled by CEO Sergio Marchionne today. Fiat has spent €350m on...

This latest rendering of the upcoming Alfa Romeo Junior is a close representation of what the final production model will look like, showing that the Italian designers have remained true to a concept sketch previously released by Alfa. The 2008 Junior has been confirmed for production and is pegged...

Fiat will launch a station wagon version of its recently introduced Bravo hatch due halfway through the new car’s life-cycle. It will appear alongside a face-lifted Bravo sometime in 2010, reports Autovisie, while a performance oriented Abarth model to join the Punto and Panda Abarth is also...

Formula One world champions Renault has celebrated the launch of its latest R27 race car by presenting the new Clio Renault F1 Team R27 sports hatch alongside it in Amsterdam. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the hotted-up Clio gets several sporty features including upgraded brakes with red...

BMW’s 1-series hatch will be sold in the US, and it could be in showrooms as early as 2008. Winding Road reports that a BMW official made the confirmation during a statement at a recent corporate event. It was initially thought the car was at least 2 years away, but now it looks like the...

BMW has officially announced its updated 1-series hatch that’s set to go on sale in the coming months. The introduction of a three-door model and a revised five-door come as a raft of new fuel-saving innovations are rolled out across the range, which includes the most fuel efficient...

General Motors will sell the Opel Astra hatch as a Saturn in the US towards the end of this year as a 2008 model, but its chief, Rick Wagoner, has ruled out importing any other Opel models for now according to the Financial Times in Germany. Opel exec Klaus Franz has admitted that a larger export...

A Japanese newspaper report has confirmed that Toyota will begin producing small cars for Fuji Heavy Industries, the owners of the Subaru brand name. Production of the Subaru version of the Passo hatchback will begin as early as this year, with Toyota subsidiary Diahatsu building the car in its...

Toyota is known for its bland and economical offerings, but the Blade is at least one indication it’s trying to improve its image. Compared with other hatchbacks, it gets a stylish exterior, improved interior, and a 2.4L engine with 7-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic CVT transmission. Also...

Diesel “warm-hatches” are slowly gaining acceptance in Europe, where cars such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra already have high-output oil-burners. Mazda plans to join them with their own version, likely to be badged “D Sport.” The current diesel range is limited to...

Skoda has taken the wraps off its next-generation Fabia hatchback, to be officially introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2007. A total of seven engines will be available for the new Fabia – four petrol and three diesel engines ranging in power from 44kW to 77kW. With this new model...

Toyota’s new baby car, the Auris, has been launched in Europe at the Bologna Motor Show. The Auris is one of the most important cars in Toyota’s lineup because it replaces the Corolla nameplate in some regions. The reason behind the change is to alter perceptions about Toyota cars. The...

Skoda has launched its new Roomster Scout MPV, which joins its Octavia Scout sibling in the Czech brand’s crossover lineup. Based on the standard Roomster hatch, the Scout grows in all dimensions and rides on unique 16in alloy wheels as standard. Other visual enhancements include the plastic...

Seat will release its Leon FR and Altea FR with the option of parent company Volkswagen’s Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which will be exclusive to these two models. The cost of the transmission will add about $1,700 to the price tag of each car and for the extra cash you get a shaving of just...

Alfa Romeo’s 147 hatch equipped with the new Q2 front self-locking differential and the 1.9L 150hp JTDm diesel engine has arrived on the market. The innovative Q2 diff provides some of the advantages of a four-wheel drive vehicle, but at a significantly lower cost thanks to the front-drive...

Here’s Fifth Gear’s review of the C30 hatch from Volvo, and initial thoughts of the new car seem promising. Get the low-down on the key safety features and gadgets, as well as the car’s on road dynamics.

Volkswagen has an odd situation on its hands thanks to its subsidiary Seat, who has priced its new Leon Cupra hot hatch below that of the Golf GTI on which it shares the same platform. Seat has tweaked its Leon hatch using knowledge it gained from participating in World Touring Car Championships...

DaimlerChrysler has finally released details and official images of the second generation Smart Fortwo. Only available in a two-door coupe or cabriolet, the new Fortwo has grown in size and power. In order to meet strict new EuroNCAP pedestrian safety regulations, designers decided to add an extra...

China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp is about to launch its first car under the Roewe label in the form of the 750 sedan. However, back in 2005, the company purchased the specifications for the Rover 25 hatch as well as the 75 sedan, and a new version of the small hatch is likely to be...