Most anticipated new cars… which new hot hatches can we see in the 2nd half of 2015?

Which new hatchback and hot-hatch cars are most anticipated to arrive in SA in the 2nd half of 2015?

MINI John Cooper Works Hatch

The hot version of the new MINI Hatch is the MINI John Cooper Works, employing the new 2.0-litre engine to make it the most powerful MINI ever, rated at 170kW and 320Nm, for nought to hundred time of 6.3 sec for the 6-speed manual and 6.1 for the 6-speed sports-Steptronic.  Both reach 246km/h!  More power, more tech, more not normal. 

The new MINI John Cooper Works is available to order now from your MINI dealer at R 421 694 for the manual and R 441 436 for the auto.

Audi RS3 Sportback

Power in compact form will arrive in the RS3 Sportback, keeping the 5-cylinder turbo engine, now boasting 270kW!  This made it the world’s most powerful hatch for a while… until the uprated Mercedes-AMG A45 arrived (see below).

Honda Civic Type R

Honda fans were left without a sporty Honda for a long time – the new Type R (this time turbocharged) is on the cards for local introduction.  The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo is said to make around 230kW and 400Nm, for a sprint to 100 of 5.7 seconds.

Very aggressive styling.  Looks to be a wild one!  Sadly no 3-door.  Pricing is rumoured to be around R 550 000

Mercedes-AMG A45

Building on the success of the A-Class hatch, the first A45 AMG became AMG’s first hatch, and immediately leapfrogged all others (including BMW and Audi) to become the hottest hot hatch around.  A pumped-up 2-litre turbo quoted at 265kW also made it the most power per litre.  450Nm is the torque, and traction is via 4Matic 4-wheel.  But Audi introduced the new RS3, with 270kW.

Now the A-Class is being facelifted, and AMG is taking back its crown with the new Mercedes-AMG A45 (note the new name) with flexed-out numbers of 280kW and 475Nm!  0-100 in 4.2.  Sizzle.