Golf R 2015
Golf R 2015
Hatchbacks are a popular choice, and are actually the body type that we stock the most of on arnoldclark.com (we currently have over 15,000 hatchbacks in stock!). There are several exciting new models coming out in 2015, and our favourites come from Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Vauxhall, and Renault.
The Hyundai i20 is getting a facelift this January so it can keep up with the latest city cars. There will be some styling changes and greater refinement to the popular small hatchback. Hyundai have stepped up their game with the i20, which is now more than capable of competing with the likes of Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.
There is more room in the new i20, both for passengers and boot space. The legroom in the new i20 is best in class, and the boot capacity is an impressive 326-litres, which is more than both the Fiesta and the latest Polo.
Styling on the new i20 gives the car an edge as well, with the blacked-out C-pillar giving the body a cool look, and making the roof appear as if it is floating.
Engine options are as follows:
Petrol
Diesel
There are five trim levels to choose from including the entry-level S-trim starting at £10,695, and the SE model – which Hyundai expects to be the most popular – starting at £12,725. Premium trims are also available and include considerably more kit, but cost £1000 more.
The all-new Golf R has already been voted Motor Trend’s 2015 Car of the Year due to its strong performance in all six areas of their performance criteria.
The new Golf R has a sportier appearance than the standard Golf; the chassis has been lowered by almost an inch, making it lower than the GTI, and the car features three modes – Comfort, Sport and Race.
18-inch ‘Cadiz’ alloys come as standard, as do sports cloth seats, daytime running lights, matt chrome-capped door mirrors and bespoke body-colour sills.
Euro-spec engine:
Petrol
The Golf R Euro-spec engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged EA888 TSI petrol; the same engine as Volkswagen used in the GTI – but just with a little more ‘oomph’. The Golf R engine produces 300 PS from 5,500 to 6,200 rpm and 380 Nm (280 lbs ft) from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm.
0–62mph takes just 5.3 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than the previous R model. If you need even more speed than that, the optional DSG gearbox can get to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Fuel consumption is reduced through use of the intuitive fifth-generation Haldex 4MOTION four-wheel drive system, which decouples the rear axle when coasting or with low loads, saving power.
The new Polo GTI is fast, fun and comfortable to drive. Volkswagen has brought back the six-speed manual, which adds to the appeal of the Polo GTI due to its excellent performance and efficiency.
While the Polo has always walked in the shadow of the more popular Golf GTI, Volkswagen has really upped its game this time and brought the Polo GTI in line with its small hatchback sibling.
As with the Golf R, Volkswagen has made the Polo GTI lower than its predecessor, by lowering the suspension by 10mm at the front and 15mm at the back, the revised steering combines with this lower suspension to offer a much sportier drive.
17-inch two tone alloys, LED lights and tartan seat trim come as standard, but you can opt for an optional Sport pack, which has an adjustable stability control system, enhanced throttle response and dynamic chassis control system.
The 1.80-litre 4-cylinder turbo TSI engine packs a good deal of torque (189bhp), and allows the GTI to reach 0-62mph in an impressive 6.7 seconds. And despite this increase in speed, the Polo GTI can get 47.1mpg, which places it comfortably alongside the 208 GTI.
Engine:
Petrol
The new Kia Rio is already on sale, after being previewed at Paris Motor Show last year.
The new Rio is available in three- or five-door options and is one of the most spacious offerings in the small hatchback car class. With boot space of 288-litres, and folding rear seats – the Rio is spacious and practical as well as being attractive.
Benefits to the face lifted Rio include new front and rear bumpers, high-gloss black trim, electronic stability kit, hill hold assist and DAB radio. Top-spec models also boast a 7-inch touchscreen sat nav.
Whilst the Rio faces some tough competition in the small hatchback category, we think it is more than capable of competing, with its fresh styling, range of engine options, features and decent fuel economy.
Engine options:
Petrol
Diesel
The Mazda2 will be released in March, and we can’t wait to see the crisp new design in our showrooms.
Mazda has given the Mazda2 a good shake after the model first arrived seven years ago, and failed to really cause a stir in the UK market. The shortfalls of the previous model have been addressed, and Mazda have made some adjustments that we’re sure will turn the 2’s fortunes around.
The new 2 is longer than its predecessor, so there’s more space inside, and lighter materials have been used to ensure that this doesn’t impact driving satisfaction. In fact, Mazda have shaved 36kg of excess car off.
This radically reduced weight means that the new 2 is able to perform better while using less juice. The 113bhp petrol can get from 0–62mph in 8.7 seconds and has a combined fuel economy of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km. The ride is smooth and the comfy seats are perfect for long journeys.
For the tech-savvy among you, you’ll be pleased to hear that the new 2 offers a 7-inch touchscreen and central console, a communications app that allows you to sync your Facebook and Twitter with your car, and you also have the ability to listen to internet radio if you’ve got 3G running.
Other notable features that come as standard are the LED headlamps, lane departure warning, city braking and blind spot monitoring.
Engine options:
Petrol
Diesel
The new Vauxhall Viva will be released in spring 2015, and bears little to no resemblance with its seventies predecessor.
The Viva will be the cheapest model in Vauxhall’s range, with prices starting from around £7000, and it promises to be a budget option from the showroom to the road.
Available with four- and five-doors, the Viva makes a welcome return to the market. Whilst the Viva isn’t the most exciting car on this list, it is a brilliant little affordable car that we’re sure is going to do well this year.
There will be just one engine option available at launch – the 1.0-litre three-cylinder ECOTEC. There’s a five-speed automatic gearbox to go alongside it, and we’re positive that the lightness of the Viva and its nippy frame will ensure a great performance. Whilst CO2 and economy figures are yet to be released, we are expecting them to come in low enough so that you can enjoy tax-free driving.
The Viva was one of Vauxhall’s most popular models between 1963 and 1979, and who knows, they might just do it again with this one.
Engine:
Image: Renault Twingo III at Geneva Motor Show 2014. By Lukasdesign CC 3.0
Renault haven’t yet released official pictures of the new Twingo GT, which is set to be released this summer, but we did spy some images of the new Twingo GT being tested at the end of last year. The car looks like it will follow the same design cues as the Twingo III pictured above, but with a sportier edge seen on the mesh grille and striking exterior detail.
We can only speculate as to the engine choice and performance of the new GT model, but we expect Renault to use the rear-mounted 0.9-litre TCE turbo petrol engine as seen in the standard Twingo, perhaps with a slight increase on power output. The engine delivers 90bhp in the standard Twingo.
It is expected that the new Twingo GT will join the Renaultsport range, so we’re excited to see the sporty additions that will undoubtedly come in the new Twingo GT… watch this space!
