The Potentially Special One

The Audi A1 jumps onto the scene in time – just when the Mini’s a decade old…

Here is one thing you cannot deny: The Audi A1 was designed and built to give the Mini Cooper a good run for its money...

When the current Mini Cooper came onto the scene - under parent company BMW no less - it struck a chord with its lovely exterior and cheerful interior. With sound build quality and an eager engine mated to a slick-shifting manual transmission or convenient self-cogger, the Mini had the ingredients to become a volume seller - which it did with success. Well after a decade in the market, the sheer number still running on the roads (and more being delivered to new owners), surely denotes its popularity.

The popularity of Mini has also sparked a trend in lifestyle hatches, which explains why other brands decided to go, “Oh wow, that might work!” and followed suit only years after the Mini. So along came an onslaught of premium hatchbacks like the Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo MiTo and even the Citroen DS3. In all honesty, neither could reach the level of success the Mini has achieved. The fact that you can personalize it as much as you can like Lego ensures your Mini won’t look exactly the same as the one that pops up next to you at the red light.

So now it’s Audi’s turn to capture a slice of this niche-but-popular (ironic, I know) segment. To begin with, the elements are all too similar – three doors, chic exterior, stylish and sensible interior (boot space not a priority though) and a whole entire list of customization options. Interesting...

To read more, click Audi A1.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Or Citroen DS3?

Even though Italy won the 2006 edition of the FIFA World Cup, we felt compelled to revisit this rivalry of two European romance countries that has produced two interesting "hot-hatches" in recent times...

In the world of hatchbacks, the line between “hot”, “warm” and “pseudo performance” types have long been polarized. Long ago, a hot-hatch is simply a no-frills three door hatchback with a powerful engine and a stick shift. A bare interior with only basic necessities and two rear seats - that was meant to be there only as a joke – was also part of the deal. But over time, the hot-hatch category morphed into something more user-friendly and practical, even turning mass market. You get cars like the current crop of Golf GTIs/Rs, Sciroccos, Focus ST, 135i, Cooper S… Well you get the drift.

On one end, spirited drivers loathe the thought of the ever-changing landscape. On the other, you see gleaming new fast hatchbacks roaming the streets and gaining interest yet once again. Which should explain the introduction of the Alfa Romeo MiTo with a new twin clutch transmission and a Citroen DS3 THP that shares similar mechanical bits with the Mini Cooper S.

Click on link to read more:

http://www.burnpavement.com/article.php?id=461 

Ciao di Nuovo

If you are a loyal fan of hot hatches, you would have noticed how this particular car segment is sometimes on a roll, but in most instances just plain quiet.

After all, there is always that pertinent question: do we need them? Well in a land where practicality and value-for-money rules, it comes as no surprise why most car dealers here chose not to bring in such cars. However as of late, there is an upheaval of – ok, not exactly hot hot-hatches – performance hatchbacks. Sure, the Volkswagen Golf GTI still reigns supreme, but the arrival of the updated Mini Cooper S, Citroen DS3 THP and Audi A1 certainly gives hope to this diminishing league. But let’s not forget - all the way from Italy - the Alfa Romeo MiTo TCT...

Click on link to read more:

http://www.burnpavement.com/article.php?id=452