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Top German Manufactured Hot Hatches

For those looking for superior vehicle performance, look no further than a hot hatch.

Of all the brands available the German manufacturers offer the best performance and handling. What are the options if you are looking for certain performance indicators?

What Is A Hot Hatch?

It is basically a high performance mass market vehicle, in this case being a three or five door hatchback.

What Is The Advantage Of A Hot Hatch?

Hot hatches are enjoyable to drive, with massive power and very good handling. If you are looking for fun on the road at a reasonable cost, a hot hatch is the obvious choice.

German Hot Hatches

The top German brands are renowned for producing high quality performance hot hatches and sedans. There is no argument that German engineered cars are highly desired. They are about performance and build quality.

The top brands include Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Skoda and Seat.

Let’s have a look at some of their top models.

What Hot Hatches Are Available In The UK?

VW Golf GTI R

Volkswagen Golf R

The VW Golf GTI R is one of the best performing hot hatches from the VW stable. The four-wheel-drive packs 316 bhp from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with acceleration to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Transmission is either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Fuel economy is rated at 26 mpg combined city and highway driving.

The Golf R might not be as powerful as its other German siblings, but it has features in the drivability and handling departments that make it a very attractive option. These include adaptive dampers and drift mode, when you play around with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Other notable features of the hot hatch include a sport exhaust system and large front disc brakes.

Common problems with the VW Golf.

VW Golf GTI D

Volkswagen Golf GTI D

Diesel may be on its way out and a diesel hatch may not be as fast as the petrol versions. However, if you are looking for fuel economy, at 54mpg and power of 198bhp, the Golf GTI D is one to consider.

The GTI D gets its power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel, mated to a 7-speed Dual Clutch Automatic in front-wheel-drive layout.

The GTI D is not the fastest, just like most diesels, doing zero to 60mph in a modest 7.1 seconds, with a top speed of 152mph.

Expect to pay around £30000 for a relatively new GTI D.

Common problems with the VW Golf.

VW Golf GTI Clubsport

VW Golf GTI Clubsport

The Golf GTI is one of the most famous VW models. It is loved globally for its build quality, performance and handling.

In fact, it is considered by many as one of the best and most affordable mass market performance cars.

The GTI is powered by a 242bhp 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. This is for the standard and rather under-powered for a hot hatch.

The GTI Clubsport corrects the under-power by increasing it to 296bhp.

Handling is rather stiff and firm, which results in a firm ride, compromising cabin comfort.

Volkswagen Golf Common Problems and Solutions.

Audi RS3

Audi RS3

Audi, BMW and Mercedes could be considered as being in a three horse race for luxury and performance cars. It’s hard to separate the top German brands, but with the Audi RS3, we are talking about performance at the highest level!

The incredible 400 horsepower is supplied by 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a 7-speed Dual-Clutch automatic in the famous Audi Quatro AWD layout.

The RS3 is a powerful performance hot hatch, with acceleration from zero to 60mph in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed is a whopping 180mph, which is electronically governed.

The RS3 is relatively pricey, depending on the trim, with an average price of about £50000.

The RS3 comes packed with many desirable features, some of which are optional. These include climate control and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system. You can enjoy the powerful ride whilst listening to quality surround sound.

Common problems with the Audi RS3.

BMW M135i

BMW M135i

If you are young, or young at heart, the BMW 1 Series could be the hot hatchback for you. It is fast and furious! It is also quite popular despite its controversial looks. It is roomy compared to the other hot hatches.

The BMW M135i is now a front-wheel drive for the third generation. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that churns out 319 horsepower in a four-wheel drive layout. The power can propel the M135i to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds.

The M135i is fast and agile on the road as well, with its adaptive chassis, making it a truly performance hot hatch.

Common problems with BMW.

Mercedes-AMG A35 S

Mercedes-AMG A35 S

The Mercedes hatches are probably the most desirable offering comfort, power and premiuim brand association. The AMG A35 S four-wheel-drive comes with a 2-litre turbocharged engine with an output of 302 horsepower, mated to a standard 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic.

The drive-train is 4MATIC four-wheel-drive. The AMG A35 S achieves zero to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155mph.

The Mercedes-AMG A35 S hot hatch also comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, high-pressure direct injection and a sport-tuned steering wheel, among many other features.

To improve on ride comfort, the AMG A35 S can be fitted with optional adaptive dampers.

Common problems with Mercedes.

Mercedes-AMG A45 S

Mercedes-AMG A45 S

The Mercedes AMG A45 S is possibly one of the top performance cars on the road. The AMG A45 S is simply incredible. Besides the normal luxuries expected in a luxury Mercedes, the AMG A45 S packs more than 400 hp of torque from a rather small 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Of course, it is tuned by Posaidon to give the incredible power!

The AMG A45 S hot hatch can reach 60mph from zero in just 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 201mph. The figures are neck and neck with the Audi RS3, although the AMG A45 S comes with a much higher price. It basically is in its own class, although we cannot discount the Audi RS3.

Common problems with Mercedes.

Škoda Octavia vRS

Skoda Octavia vRS

The Škoda Octavia may not be as popular or famous as the German marquees, but is powerful enough to interest those looking for fun at a reasonable price and possibly lower maintenance costs than the other brands.

The Octavia vRS comes with a choice of three engines. The first is a 2.0-litre 242 bhp turbocharged petrol. The second is a less powerful 2.0-litre naturally aspirated diesel. There is also a 1.4-litre petrol plug-in hybrid.

The common engine is the turbocharged petrol, which offers acceleration from zero to 60mph of 6.7 seconds. Fuel economy for the same engine comes in at 49.6mpg average.

The Škoda Octavia vRS is a daily run-around performance hot hatch that can be considered to operate under the radar.

Common problems with the Škoda Octavia.

Hot Hatch Servcing And Repairs

After acquiring your hot hatch, you need to ensure that it is kept in good condition through regular scheduled servicing.

Servicing should be performed by experienced technicians. At Volksmaster, we’ve got the right tools and people to work on every Hot Hatch model produced. If you’ve got a question, don’t hesitate to give us a call or visit us in Oldham (0161 624 5060), Bury (0161 761 3030), Heywood (01706 622633) or at the Van Centre (0161 628 5270) or complete the booking form, we’ll be more than happy to help. Get a qoute for servicing your hot hatch today.

Arranging Your Service

Drop your car off
Simply drop your car off with us between 8am and 10am and in most cases your vehicle will be ready for collection the same day between 3.30 and 5.30. Outside these hours you are welcome to park.

Wait with your car
Most servicing and repair work can be done while you wait. If this is your preference we have a superb waiting area equipped with free hot and cold drinks and a interesting viewing area where you can watch our trained technicians working on your vehicle.

Courtesy car
If your vehicle needs to stay with us for 1 day or longer then you are able to pre-book one of our courtesy vehicles to keep you mobile.

Pick up / drop off
The ultimate hassle free solution; one of our drivers will arrange to collect your vehicle from your home or place of work at a pre-arranged time and then return your vehicle when the work is complete. Our service advisors will contact you when the vehicle arrives on site during the day to discuss the progress of the work and then advise you of the time you can expect your vehicle back. Contact our service advisors for more details.

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