Skip advert
Advertisement

Hot hatch special

Chris Harris's Renaultsport Megane 250 v Ford Focus RS video kicks off evo's hot hatch celebration

Everyone loves a good hot hatch, and 2009 has been a particularly good year for class heroes. From the Fiat Panda 100HP and Renaultsport Twingo 133 at the bottom of the scale through Renault’s corking Clio 200 and the mad Mini JCW to the ultimate iterations - Ford’s Focus RS being the most potent - we've driven tonnes of 'em. We’re celebrating the best we’ve come across recently with a gallery from 2009’s evo hot hatch tests a mere scroll down the page away. There’s also a list of links to our best hot hatch content below. Enjoy, and tell us about your favourites (or the ones you hate) on the evo Forum.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Video: Chris Harris pits the Megane against Focus part 1 and part 2 In detail: Ford Focus RS, VW Golf GTI, Leon Cupra R, Megane 250

On track video: Hot hatches at Bedford Autodrome Group test: Twingo Cup v Panda 100HP v Abarth v Swift + more Car of the Year: Renault Clio 200 Cup and Ford Focus RS in detail Video: Renault’s Megane R26.R tackles Corsica’s rallying roads Group test: New Mugen Civic takes on its Honda Type-R siblings Video: Gabrielle Tarquini goes for hot lap in the SEAT Cupra R

Group test: Ford Focus RS takes on its dad, the Escort Cosworth

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability
Peugeot Turbo 100
News

Peugeot’s new petrol engine swaps belts for chains to improve reliability

New engine isn’t performance-oriented but does address some reliability issues around so-called ‘wet belts’, swapping them out altogether for chains
16 Mar 2026
Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition
Used hyper hatches
News

Four hyper hatches for two-thirds less than the new £92k Audi RS3 Competition

Whatever happened to accessible hot hatchbacks? Nevermind the £92k Audi RS3 Competition, buy these instead
19 Mar 2026
Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price
Plug-in hybrid Lamborghini
Opinion

Car makers are U-turning on EVs but car buyers are going to pay the price

While the combustion engines we love have a stay of execution, the future won't be all sunshine and rainbows for car enthusiasts
17 Mar 2026