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Ahot hatch (shortened fromhot hatchback) is a high-performance variant of ahatchback car. The term originated in the mid-1980s; however, sportier factory versions of hatchbacks have been produced since the 1970s. Afront-engine, front-wheel-drive layout thatuses petrol for fuel is the most common choice ofpowertrain, howeverall-wheel drive has become more commonly used since around 2010. Most hot hatches are of European or Asian origin.
Usage of the term "hothatchback" began in theUnited Kingdom in 1983,[citation needed] which was shortened to "hot hatch" in 1984.[1] The term first appeared inThe 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/slopedliftback designs are not unheard of, with some of them crossing intosports sedan territory.
Due to the historical scarcity of hatchback cars in theUnited States,[citation needed] the term hot hatch is not widely used in the US.
Since the 1990s and 2000s,[citation needed] the termwarm 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 theMini Cooper (which sits below the Mini Cooper S),[5]Peugeot 207 GT (which sits below the Peugeot 207 GTi)[6]Suzuki Swift Sport,[5] andToyota Yaris SR.[7]
The 1961Mini Cooper was one of the first performance cars to use a small body and anFF 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, theAMC 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 theAutobianchi A112 Abarth, introduced in September 1971. It was prepared by the motorsports division of theFiat Group, at first with a 982 cc engine, obtained by increasing the stroke, coupled to a sportingexhaust, a twin-chokecarburetor, and a different camshaft.
In 1973, theSimca 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 frontdisc brakes, front and rearspoilers andalloy wheels. TheAlfa 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 aWeber twin-choke carburettor, allowing the small saloon to reach 160 km/h (99 mph).
TheRenault 5 Alpine[11][12] (calledGordini 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 theVolkswagen Golf GTI,[11][13][14] which was announced at the 1975Frankfurt Motor Show.[15] and released in July 1976.[16] The Golf GTI was originally designated to be sold only inWest 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, sharperhandling, 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 theFord Capri 2.0,Lancia Beta Coupe 2000 andRenault 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 theChevette HS and HSR by fitting the 2.3 litreslant-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 theLotus Sunbeam which used the Lotus 1973 cc16Vslant four engine. Power output of 150 bhp (112 kW) and a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. Despite beingrear-wheel drive, the Sunbeam is considered a hot hatch.[18]
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Until the early 1980s, theVolkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI and theRenault 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. theFord Fiesta XR2),[19] fuel injection (e.g. thePeugeot 205 GTI),[20] turbocharging (e.g. theRenault 5 GT Turbo), supercharging (e.g. thePolo G40) or fitting larger engines (e.g. the 2.0 litreFiat Ritmo/Strada Abarth 130 TC).[21] Other significant hot hatches of the 1980s include theFord 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 andSuzuki 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 ofGroup Brallying 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 theLancia Delta S4,MG Metro 6R4 andPeugeot 205 T16.[22]
European manufacturers continued to produce hot hatches through the 1990s, including theFord 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 andFord Focus ST170.
Japanese manufacturers also began to produce hot hatches, including theHonda Civic Type R,Mazda 323 GT-R,Nissan Pulsar GTI-R,Suzuki Swift GTi andToyota Corolla GTi.
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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 thesub-brand of their hot hatch derivatives such as Renault'sRenault Sport,[24] Opel'sOPC, Vauxhall'sVXR[25] and Fiat'sAbarth.[26]
European-built hot hatches from the 2000s include theAbarth Grande Punto,Alfa Romeo 147 GTA,[27]Audi S3,[28]Ford Fiesta ST,[29]Ford Focus ST/RS,[30][31]MG ZR,[32]MiniCooper S/JCW,[29]Opel/Vauxhall Astra SRi Turbo/OPC/VXR,[29]Peugeot 206 RC/207 GTi,[29]RenaultClio RS/Mégane RS,[29]SEAT León Cupra/FR+SEAT Ibiza Cupra/FR[33][31] andVolkswagenGolf GTI[34]/Golf R.[30] Asian-built hot hatches included theHonda Civic Type R,[30]Mazdaspeed 3,[35] andProton Satria GTi.[28]
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Althoughall-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 2010Volkswagen Golf R,[36][37] 2011Audi RS 3,[38][39] 2013Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG,[40] and the 2015Ford 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 theSubaru 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 theMitsubishi 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 theFord Focus RS 500 producing 257 kW (345 bhp).[45] TheBMW 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 ofdual-clutch transmissions.
TheW177 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 itsM139 engine producing 310 kW (416 bhp).[46]
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Japanese-built hot hatches include the 1982Honda City Turbo, 1984Isuzu Piazza XS Turbo, 1986Suzuki Cultus GTi, 1988Nissan March Super Turbo, 1988Toyota Corolla GTi (AE92), 1989Daihatsu Charade GTti, 1990Toyota Starlet GT Turbo, 1992Mazda 323 GT-R, 1992Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg R, 1994Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, 1995Nissan Pulsar VZ-R N1, 1996Toyota Starlet Glanza, 1997Honda Civic Type R, 1999Toyota Yaris TS, 2004Toyota Corolla TS, 2005Suzuki Swift Sport, 2006Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R, 2007Mazdaspeed3, 2008Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback, 2020Toyota GR Yaris.
South Korean manufacturers began to produce hot hatches in 2013 with theKia Pro_Cee'd GT.[47] Hyundai's first hot hatch, thei30 N, was released in 2017 and was awarded Best Hot Hatch at the 2018 UK Car of the Year Awards.[48] TheVeloster N was released in 2019 and was awarded the 2020 Performance Car of the Year by Road and Track Magazine.[49]
In the 1980s, hot hatches built by Ford in the United States include the 1983Escort GT (and its twin theMercury Lynx XR3),[50][51][52]Chrysler hot hatches include the 1984Dodge Omni GLH ("Goes Like Hell")[53] and the1986Shelby GLHS ("Goes Like Hell S'more").[54]General Motors produced the 1986Chevrolet Cavalier Z24,[55]1986Pontiac Sunbird GT[56]and 1987Buick Skyhawk Sport Hatch[57] with rear hatches, however these arehatchback coupes, rather than traditional utilitarian hatchbacks.
More recent North American hot hatches include the 2002Ford Focus SVT,[58]2008Dodge Caliber SRT-4,[59][60] and2016Ford 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.
The fastest accelerating petrol hot hatch is theAudi RS 3 at 3.8 seconds to 62 mph while the fastest electric hot hatch is theHyundai Ioniq 5 N at 3.4 seconds.[63]
The record top speed on a hot hatch is held by theHonda Civic Type R at 171 mph.[64]
The most aerodynamic hot hatchback is theMercedes A-Class AMG at 0.25 Cd.[65]
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