Editing Hot hatch (section)

== History ==

=== 1960s and 1970s ===
[[File:1979 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.6 Front.jpg|thumb|alt=A small front-engined car with three doors|1979 [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1#Golf GTI|Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1)]]]]

The 1961 [[Mini (Mark I)#Cooper and Cooper S|Mini Cooper]] was one of the first performance cars to use a small body and an [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|FF 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, the [[AMC Gremlin]], was introduced in the United States on April 1, 1970. Promoted as "America's first subcompact",<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arcticboy.com/Pages/arcticboysgremlin.html |last=Wilson |first=Bob |title=1971 ad Gremlin Grembin |website=arcticboy.com |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Autos: Shifting Down for the '70s |magazine=Time |date=February 23, 1970 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876653,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081210235305/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876653,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 10, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref>

The first European hot hatch was the [[Autobianchi A112 Abarth]], introduced in September 1971. It was prepared by the motorsports division of the [[Fiat]] Group, at first with a 982 cc engine, obtained by increasing the stroke, coupled to a sporting [[Exhaust system|exhaust]], a twin-choke [[carburetor]], and a different camshaft.

In 1973, the [[Simca 1100]]<ref name="msn.com">{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=3 |access-date=25 December 2018 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref name="topgear.com">{{cite web |date=4 February 2014 |title=History of Hot Hatches in ten cars |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/history-hot-hatches-ten-cars |access-date=25 December 2018 |website=www.topgear.com |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409090119/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/history-hot-hatches-ten-cars |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ti was launched. It had its power increased by 40% to 82&nbsp;hp (61&nbsp;kW), which resulted in a 0 to 60&nbsp;mph (97&nbsp;km/h) time of under 12 seconds and a top speed of 105&nbsp;mph (169&nbsp;km/h). Other upgrades included front [[disc brake]]s, front and rear [[Spoiler (car)|spoilers]] and [[alloy wheel]]s. The [[Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI|Alfa 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&nbsp;kW; 67&nbsp;hp) by adopting a [[Weber carburetor|Weber]] twin-choke carburettor, allowing the small saloon to reach 160&nbsp;km/h (99&nbsp;mph).

The [[Renault 5 Alpine]]<ref name="topgear.com" /><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=6 |website=www.msn.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> (called [[Gordini]] in the United Kingdom), which went on sale in May 1976. It had a top speed of {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0 to 60&nbsp;mph in under 10 seconds.

The car credited with establishing the popularity of hot hatches is the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1|Volkswagen Golf]] GTI,<ref name="topgear.com" /><ref name="roadandtrack.com">{{cite web |title=The Best Hot Hatches |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/g21998848/best-hot-hatches/ |website=www.roadandtrack.com |access-date=25 December 2018 |date=29 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=9 |website=www.msn.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> which was announced at the 1975 [[International Motor Show Germany|Frankfurt Motor Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/260050/birth_of_an_icon_volkswagen_golf_gti_mk1.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=1d9a228ddfbbf1a3300875dcac276eac |title=Evo November 2010 |publisher=Evo.co.uk |date=2010-11-22 |access-date=2011-03-18}}</ref> and released in July 1976.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's the History of the First Hot Hatch: the Volkswagen Golf GTI |url=http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/13251/heres-the-history-of-the-first-hot-hatch-the-volkswagen-golf-gti |website=www.thedrive.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> The Golf GTI was originally designated to be sold only in [[West Germany]], but from 1977 Volkswagen began exports of the (left-hand drive only) GTI.<ref name="ateupwithmotor.com">{{cite web |title=Rabbit Rocket: The Volkswagen GTI and the Birth of the Hot Hatch > Ate Up With Motor |url=https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/volkswagen-gti-hot-hatch/ |website=www.ateupwithmotor.com |access-date=25 December 2018 |date=27 June 2009}}</ref> 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, sharper [[Automobile handling|handling]], 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 the [[Ford Capri|Ford Capri 2.0]], [[Lancia Beta|Lancia Beta Coupe 2000]] and [[Renault 15 and 17|Renault 17 TS]]. With top speeds above {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, the Alpine and GTI enjoyed a short run of unparalleled sales success until the early 1980s.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

There were two hot hatches created specifically for competition. In 1978, Vauxhall created the [[Vauxhall Chevette#Chevette HS and HSR|Chevette HS and HSR]] by fitting the 2.3 litre [[Vauxhall Slant-4 engine|slant-four]] engine, using a 16-valve cylinder head. Fitted with two Stromberg carburettors the engine developed 135&nbsp;bhp (the HSR developed 150&nbsp;bhp).  In 1979, Chrysler developed the  [[Chrysler Sunbeam|Lotus Sunbeam]] which used the Lotus 1973 cc [[Multi-valve|16V]] [[Straight engine|slant four engine]]. Power output of {{Convert|150|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and a 0-60&nbsp;mph time of 6.6 seconds. Despite being [[rear-wheel drive]], the Sunbeam is considered a hot hatch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lotus Sunbeam driven |url=http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/290731/lotus_sunbeam.html |website=www.evo.co.uk |access-date=15 August 2014|date=August 2013}}</ref>

=== 1980s ===
[[File:Techno Classica 2018, Essen (IMG 9996).jpg|alt= A small rear-mid-engined car with three doors|thumb|1982 [[Renault 5 Turbo]]]]

Until the early 1980s, the [[Volkswagen Golf|Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI]] and the [[Renault 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. the [[Ford Fiesta (first generation)|Ford Fiesta XR2]]),<ref>{{cite web|title=1981-1989 FORD Fiesta XR2|url=http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3378|work=Octane Classic|access-date=18 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210042604/http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3378|archive-date=10 December 2011}}</ref> fuel injection (e.g. the [[Peugeot 205#High performance variants|Peugeot 205 GTI]]),<ref name="205 GTi all time Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.carscoops.com/2016/01/peugeot-205-gti-crowned-greatest-ever.html|title=Peugeot 205 GTi Crowned "The Greatest Ever Hot Hatch"|date=2016-01-16|publisher=Car Scoop|access-date=2016-01-18}}</ref> turbocharging (e.g. the [[Renault 5|Renault 5 GT Turbo]]), supercharging (e.g. the [[Volkswagen Polo G40|Polo G40]]) or fitting larger engines (e.g. the 2.0 litre [[Fiat Ritmo|Fiat Ritmo/Strada]] Abarth 130 TC).<ref>{{cite web|title=1984-1987 FIAT Strada Abarth 130TC |url=http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3524 |website=www.classicandperformancecar.com |access-date=18 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605034013/http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/carspecs.php/?see=3524|archive-date=5 June 2012}}</ref> Other significant hot hatches of the 1980s include the [[Ford Escort (Europe)#Third generation (1980–1986)|Ford Escort RS Turbo]], [[Opel Kadett]] GTE (also known as Vauxhall Astra GTE), [[Renault 9 and 11|Renault 11]] Turbo, [[Lancia Delta#First generation|Lancia Delta HF Integrale]] (all-wheel drive), [[Citroën AX]] GT and [[Suzuki Cultus#GTi|Suzuki 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 of [[Group B]] [[rallying]] 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 the [[Lancia Delta S4]], [[Austin Metro#MG Metro 6R4 rally car|MG Metro 6R4]] and [[Peugeot 205#205 Turbo 16 (T16)|Peugeot 205 T16]].<ref name="motoringresearch.com">{{cite web |title=The 20 greatest hot hatches of the 1980s |url=https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/20-greatest-hot-hatches-1980s/ |website=www.motoringresearch.com |access-date=26 December 2018 |date=30 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723003740/https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/20-greatest-hot-hatches-1980s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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=== 1990s ===
[[File:1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 2.0 Front.jpg|thumb|alt= A medium-sized front-engined car with three doors and a rear aerofoil|1992–1996 [[Ford Escort RS Cosworth]]]]

European manufacturers continued to produce hot hatches through the 1990s, including the [[Ford Fiesta RS Turbo]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Ford Fiesta RS Turbo (1990 - 1992)|url=http://motoring.friday-ad.co.uk/car-reviews/used/Ford-Fiesta/id/207535/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710215345/http://motoring.friday-ad.co.uk/car-reviews/used/Ford-Fiesta/id/207535/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 July 2012|work=Friday Ad|access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> [[Ford Escort RS Cosworth]], [[Peugeot 106]] Rallye / GTi, [[Peugeot 306#306 Phase 1|Peugeot 306]] GTi-6 / Rallye, [[Clio Williams|Renault Clio Williams]], [[SEAT Ibiza#6K|SEAT Ibiza]] GTi / GT 16v / Cupra, [[Volkswagen Golf Mk3|Volkswagen Golf]] GTI / VR6 and [[Ford Focus (first generation)#Performance versions|Ford Focus]] ST170.

Japanese manufacturers also began to produce hot hatches, including the [[Honda Civic Type R]], [[Mazda Familia#Familia GT-X, GT-R and GT-Ae|Mazda 323 GT-R]], [[Nissan Pulsar GTI-R]], [[Suzuki Swift GTi]] and [[Toyota Corolla (E100)|Toyota Corolla GTi]].
{{clear right}}

=== 2000s ===
[[File:2000 Audi S3 (8L) quattro 3-door hatchback (2015-05-29) 01.jpg|thumb|alt= A medium-sized front-engined car with three doors |2000 [[Audi A3#S3 (1999–2003)|Audi S3 (8L)]]]]

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 the [[Brand architecture|sub-brand]] of their hot hatch derivatives such as Renault's [[Renault Sport]],<ref>{{cite web|title=New Renault range announced|url=http://fwd.channel5.com/fifth-gear/car-news/new-renault-range-announced|work=Fifth Gear|publisher=Channel 5|access-date=20 February 2012|date=27 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708164758/http://fwd.channel5.com/fifth-gear/car-news/new-renault-range-announced|archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> Opel's [[Opel Performance Center|OPC]], Vauxhall's [[VXRacing|VXR]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Mallinson|first=James|title=FHM and Vauxhall take fast route to success|url=http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/530315/|work=Media Week|access-date=20 February 2012|date=29 November 2005}}</ref> and Fiat's [[Abarth]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fiat 500C Abarth 1.4 16v Turbo|url=http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/cartestreports/2010112.html|work=AA|access-date=20 February 2012|date=December 2010}}</ref>

European-built hot hatches from the 2000s include the [[Fiat Grande Punto|Abarth Grande Punto]], [[Alfa Romeo 147]] GTA,<ref>{{cite web|title=Power Crazed|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/31758/alfa_romeo_147_gta_v_ford_focus_rs.html|work=Evo|access-date=29 October 2012|date=November 2002}}</ref> [[Audi A3#S3 (1999–2003)|Audi S3]],<ref name="Motor Hot Source">{{cite journal |title=Hot Source |journal=[[Motor (Australian magazine)|Motor]] |issue=August 2000 |page= 123 |publisher=ACP Action}}</ref> 
[[Ford Fiesta]] ST,<ref name="Evo Oct 2010">{{cite journal |title=The Knowledge |journal=Evo Magazine |date=October 2010 |issue=148 |page= 152}}</ref>
[[Ford Focus]] ST/RS,<ref name="Telegraph Golf">{{cite web |title=VW Golf GTI – we drive all seven generations of the legendary hot hatch |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/vw-golf-gti-drive-seven-generations-legendary-hot-hatch/ |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2018 |date=25 April 2017}}</ref><ref name=AutoExpress2006>{{cite web|title=Ford Focus ST-2 v SEAT Leon 2.0T FSI FR|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/203524/ford_focus_st2_v_seat_leon_20t_fsi_fr.html|work=Auto Express|access-date=20 February 2012|date=September 2006}}</ref>
[[MG ZR]],<ref>{{cite web |title=MG ZR (2001 - 2005) |url=https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/mg/zr/ |website=www.honestjohn.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
Mini [[Mini Hatch#Models|Cooper S]]/[[John Cooper Works#Factory John Cooper Works R56|JCW]],<ref name="Evo Oct 2010" />
[[Opel Astra#Astra H (A04; 2004)|Opel/Vauxhall Astra]] SRi Turbo/OPC/VXR,<ref name="Evo Oct 2010" />
[[Peugeot 206 RC]]/[[Peugeot 207|207]] GTi,<ref name="Evo Oct 2010" />
Renault [[Clio Renault Sport|Clio RS]]/[[Mégane Renault Sport|Mégane RS]],<ref name="Evo Oct 2010" />
[[SEAT León]] Cupra/FR+SEAT Ibiza Cupra/FR<ref>{{cite web|title=Ford Focus RS v Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup v SEAT Leon Cupra R v VW Golf GTI|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/246988/ford_focus_rs_v_renaultsport_megane_250_cup_v_seat_leon_cupra_r_v_vw_golf_gti.html|work=Evo|access-date=29 October 2012|date=January 2010}}</ref><ref name="AutoExpress2006" /> and
Volkswagen [[Volkswagen Golf Mk5#Mk5 GTI|Golf GTI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Hot Hatch|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/usedcartests/272803/volkswagen_golf_gti_mkv.html|work=Auto Express|access-date=20 February 2012|date=October 2011}}</ref>/[[Volkswagen Golf Mk6#Golf R|Golf R]].<ref name="Telegraph Golf" /> Asian-built hot hatches included the [[Honda Civic]] Type R,<ref name="Telegraph Golf" />[[Mazdaspeed3|Mazdaspeed 3]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2013 |title=2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 review notes |url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/2013-mazda-mazdaspeed-3-review-notes |access-date=2016-08-07}}</ref> and [[Proton Satria]] GTi.<ref name="Motor Hot Source"/>

=== 2010s ===
[[File:2012-2014 Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (W 176) 4MATIC hatchback (2018-10-01) 01.jpg|thumb|alt= A medium-sized front-engined car with five doors|2012–2014 [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class#A 45 AMG (2013–2018)|Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (W176)]]]]

Although [[all-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 2010 [[Volkswagen Golf Mk6#Golf R|Volkswagen Golf R]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Volkswagen Golf R: Hottest Golf yet! |url=https://www.motorward.com/2009/09/volkswagen-golf-r-hottest-golf-yet/ |website=www.motorward.com |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Okulski |first1=Travis |title=2012 Volkswagen Golf R: The Jalopnik Review |url=https://jalopnik.com/5930559/2012-volkswagen-golf-r-the-jalopnik-review |website=www.jalopnik.com |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> 2011 [[Audi A3#RS 3 Sportback (2011–2012)|Audi RS 3]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Audi RS3 review - 376bhp, four-wheel drive BMW M2 rival |url=https://www.evo.co.uk/audi/rs3 |website=www.evo.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2015 Audi RS3 Sportback review |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/reviews/audi-rs3-sportback-review-2015.html |website=www.autoevolution.com |access-date=27 December 2018 |language=en |date=29 May 2015}}</ref> 2013 [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class#A 45 AMG (2013–2018)|Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/g6482/10-cars-with-the-highest-specific-outputs/?slide=14 |magazine=Road & Track |title=14 New Cars That Make Crazy Horsepower Per Liter |date=19 September 2017}}</ref> and the 2015 [[Ford Focus (third generation)#Focus RS|Ford Focus RS]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ford Focus RS Reviews |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/ford/focus-rs |website=www.caranddriver.com |date=13 December 2018 |access-date=27 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ford Focus RS review 2018 |url=https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus-rs/hatchback/review/n17148 |website=www.whatcar.com |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> With these models expanding the definition of hot hatches from front-wheel drive to also include all-wheel drive, the hatchback versions of the [[Subaru 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 the [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Subaru WRX STI vs. Mitsubishi Evolution X - Comparison Test - Motor Trend |url=https://www.motortrend.ca/en/news/subaru-wrx-sti-vs-mitsubishi-evolution-x/ |website=www.motortrend.ca |access-date=27 December 2018 |date=26 December 2007}}</ref> 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 {{convert|270|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 most powerful hot hatchbacks |url=https://uk.motor1.com/news/186300/top-10-hot-hatchbacks/2412916/ |website=www.motor1.com |access-date=27 December 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
and the [[Ford Focus RS 500]] producing {{convert|257|kW|bhp|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/hot-hatch-power-2010-12-09?imageNo=12 |title=Top Gear hot hatch power league 9 December 2010 |publisher=Topgear.com |date=2010-12-09 |access-date=2011-03-31 |archive-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323065525/http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/hot-hatch-power-2010-12-09?imageNo=12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[BMW 1 Series (F20)|BMW 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 of [[dual-clutch transmission]]s.

The [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177)#Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC+, A 45 4MATIC+, and A 45 S 4MATIC+|W177 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S]], which was introduced in 2019, is the first mass-produced hot hatch that exceeded the {{convert|400|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} border, with its ''[[Mercedes-Benz M139 engine#M139 (310 kW version)|M139]]'' engine producing {{convert|416|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.driven.co.nz/news/the-world-s-fastest-hot-hatch-mercedes-reveals-310kw-a45-pocket-rocket/|title = The world's fastest hot hatch? Mercedes reveals 310kW A45 pocket rocket}}</ref>