Group tests

Audi A1 Quattro vs Mini JCW GP, Ford Focus RS500 and Renault Megane R26.R - Audi A1 Quattro vs Mini JCW GP, Ford Focus RS500 and Renault Megane R26.R: On track

Will the track-biassed Megane R26.R or Mini GP clean up on home turf, or will the more powerful Focus RS500 or four-wheel-drive Audi A1 quattro take the fastest lap?

by: Richard Meaden

3 Jun 2013

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 3 Jun 2013

megane and mini gp on track

Audi A1 quattro

Ford Focus RS500

Search for your dream hot hatch on evo cars for sale

Lap times

1:08.7

Mini John Cooper Works GP

1:08.9

Renaultsport Megane R26.R

1:09.4

Ford Focus RS500

1:11.2

Audi A1 quattro

Go Back toExtreme hot hatches: On the road

Continue ReadingExtreme hot hatches: Verdict

In this review

Most Popular

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_eexbs16mnrun0ou { display: none !important; }

Long term tests

Jaguar F-Pace SVR long term test – more efficient than a diesel Discovery

A stint in a diesel-engined Discovery that resulted in only 30mpg has convinced me the F-Pace SVR is impressively frugal

8 Apr 2026

Jan Kalmar

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_eexbs16mnrun0ov { display: none !important; }

Features

The classic Porsche 911 is overhyped, according to the man dedicated to perfecting it

Kalmar Automotive's mission is to create the perfect Porsches for 'nerds' and push the limits, making 911s into everything from rally cars to hypercar…

6 Apr 2026

Best Japanese cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_eexbs16mnrun0ow { display: none !important; }

Best cars

Best Japanese cars – performance icons from GR Yaris to NSX-R

The Japanese have produced some of the most compelling performance cars we've ever tested, from hot hatches and rally cars to full-on supercars

7 Apr 2026