10 Hatchbacks That Pack A Mean Punch


Most domestic gearheads tend to ignore some of the vehicles sold on the market.Some car enthusiasts will find these cars with or without 4-cylinder engines. I would rather take the bus. Hatchbacks had a bad reputation for decades that kept piston heads away.


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Built for city dwellers, hatchbacks were underpowered and unattractive at first. Things started to improve when hatchbacks started winning professional races. Today, auto companies design hot hatches with insane weight-to-power ratios. Some of these new hatchbacks have the coolest interiors, but the masterpiece remains under the hood.

Ten 1980 Renault 5 Turbo

Via mecum.com

When it comes to European cars, no French company is in the top three. That said, true enthusiasts are aware of the fact that the French know how to design fun machines. You have shown that you are a king. France and hot hatches go way back.

1980 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Cropped
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The Renault 5 Turbo is one of those classic French cars that has skyrocketed in price. In 1980, fewer than 600 of his cars left the Renault assembly line. Along with its big shoulders and overall racy look, the Renault 5 Turbo is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 159 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels thanks to a 5-speed manual transmission.

9 1984 Peugeot 205 T16

1984 Peugeot 205 T16 Cropped
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Peugeot is one of the most popular car brands in the country of stinky cheese and baguettes. Founded in 1810, the company has grown into an international brand. Now part of the Group Stellantis, Peugeot is regaining the energy that first put the company in the spotlight. Looking at the 205 T16, it’s safe to say Peugeot built an insane car.

RELATED: These are the most important cars in Peugeot history.

1984 Peugeot 205 T16 2 Cropped
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The Peugeot 205 T16 was the logical answer to the Renault 5 Turbo. Both cars competed in Group B of the World Rally Championship. Also produced in limited numbers, the 205 T16 is a true collector’s item. The hatchback comes with a turbocharged 1.8L inline 4 unit producing 197 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels thanks to a 5-speed manual transmission.

8 1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2

1994 Lancia Delta Evo Cropped
Via pcarmarket.com

Most car enthusiasts automatically think of Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati when it comes to Italian cars. It’s no exaggeration to say that the aforementioned brands dominate the Italian car scene. That being said, some other brands in spaghetti and pizza country have designed vehicles that are simply amazing.

1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2 Cropped
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The Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2 is one of the European hatchbacks. The car is currently importable, but not sold in the US. Domestic gearheads never got a chance to own this true legend. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 215 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque, the Delta Integrale Evolution II’s success in the WRC is no surprise.

7 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

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Via Subaru

The early 90’s saw some great Japanese cars. Whether it’s his twin-turbocharged Nissan 300ZX, Toyota’s Supra MK4, or Subaru’s Impreza WRX, the Japanese automaker has gone to great lengths to design small sports cars with big power. . The Impreza has evolved a lot over the decades and has become more and more attractive.

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Cropped
Via Subaru

When Subaru launched the 3rd generation Impreza, it replaced the station with a hatchback. Like other body styles, the hatchback received his STI treatment. Under the hood of the STi is a turbocharged 2.5L in-line 4 unit rated at 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. The Impreza STi hatchback inevitably became a favorite among his JDM fans.

6 2017 Ford Focus RS

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Ford was once one of the most innovative auto companies in the world. Legendary cars such as the Mustang rolled down its assembly line and to this day remain one of the most revered cars in the world. Ford didn’t always hit the nail in the head. When it was first released in 1998, the Focus wasn’t the kind of thing that speed-hungry folks would splurge on.

2017 Ford Focus RS Cropped (1)
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A year before Ford discontinued the Ford Focus in North America, the automaker made sure to offer trim levels that everyone wanted to test drive. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.3L inline 4 powerplant capable of producing 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, the Focus RS was a real contender for imported hatchbacks. Despite reliability issues, the Focus RS is he one of the best Focuses ever made.

Five 2022 Audi RS3

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via audi-mediacenter.com

Audi cars were called Volkswagen. The iconic sport he released before the Quattro wasn’t always exhilarating, but Audi has sped things up since his mid-’80s. His RS-badged car, the company’s first, the RS2, proved that Audi is gearing up for a bright future.

RELATED: 5 Best European Hatchbacks Ever Made (5 Japanese Models You’d Rather Buy)

2022 Audi RS3 Cropped
via audi-mediacenter.com

In 1999 Audi wowed us with the amazing S3. This car was perfect for city dwellers looking for more power. The 2022 Audi RS3 is the logical successor to all previously released S3s and RS3s. Like all RS-badged Audis, the RS3 is a force to be reckoned with. The RS3 comes with a turbocharged 2.5L in-line 5 unit producing 401 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Four 2022 Brabus B45

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via brabus.com

Mercedes-Benz is famous for luxury cars. The German automaker’s attention to detail and superb finishes caught the attention of Adolf Hitler and his associates. Mercedes has emerged from its Nazi-era past to become an international company with an outstanding reputation. German car enthusiasts recognize his AMG as a marvel. But one of them fell completely under the radar.

2022 Brabus B45 2 Cropped (1)
via brabus.com

The Brabus B45 may not be Brabus’ craziest build, but it’s certainly an average machine. Based on the Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 S, the Brabus B45 is the ultimate hatchback. The A45 S comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engine that produces 416 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Brabus has raised the bar with a package that brings the power output to 450 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

3 2022 Volkswagen Golf R

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via volkswagen-newsroom.com

Founded in 1937 by the Nazi regime, Volkswagen has a very dark history. Despite its questionable origins, the German car company thrived for decades. One of his most popular cars, the Golf, first appeared in 1974. Compact family cars have evolved dramatically over the years. Today the Golf is as powerful as the most revered Japanese sports car.

RELATED: 10 Used Hatchbacks You Should Consider Instead of the VW Golf R

2022 Volkswagen Golf R Cropped
via volkswagen-newsroom.com

The latest Golf R outperforms anything based on the Golf platform. The first R32 was great, but not as good as the latest Golf R. Equipped with a 2.0L in-line four-cylinder turbo engine, the Golf boasts 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Volkswagen has managed to squeeze a lot of power out of its small engine.

2 2023 Honda Civic Type R

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Honda is one of the Japanese brands that received harsh criticism when it first landed in the US. Until very recently, Honda cars were often the subject of jokes. The Civic was the ultimate rice rocket. Honda decided to go back to the drawing board and shake off this nasty reputation. Today, the Honda Civic is more attractive than some muscle his car.

2023 Honda Civic Type R 2 Cropped
via hondanews.com

The latest Honda Civic Type R is a true beast. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the latest Type R comes with a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder powerplant producing 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Besides plenty of power, the Type R doesn’t seem like a Japanese entry-level sports car.

1 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition Cropped
Via pressroom.toyota.com

Toyota has been successful for decades. Since its inception in the 1930s, the company has gone from copying American cars to setting the tone for an entire industry. Toyota’s Camry and Tacoma are America’s best-selling sedans and trucks, respectively. In recent years, Toyota has decided to give most of its popular vehicles a sporty twist.

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition 2 Cropped
Via Toyota

Domestic hatchback fans may have to wait 25 years to get their hands on a Toyota Yaris GR. Still, there is a chance to get a GR Corolla. It comes with a turbocharged 1.6L 3-cylinder engine capable of producing 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It may not be the fastest hatchback on the market, but it’s definitely an attractive car.


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