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

What the new Porsche supercar could look like, edited with AI

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x15mv67i1t8 { display: none !important; }

News

New Porsche ‘Mission S’ supercar central in plan to tackle Ferrari head-on

Porsche’s plan to recover its profits involves pushing upmarket to widen margins, with more customisability and a new supercar

7 Oct 2026

Jaguar Type 01

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x15mv67i1t9 { display: none !important; }

Opinion

There’s a reason the Jaguar Type 01 looks that way, but the logic isn’t all sound

The bold new Jaguar Type 01 has a divisive look by design, but this isn’t where the criticism should lie

10 Oct 2026

Pirelli Cyber Tyre

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599x15mv67i1ta { display: none !important; }

Features

The Pirelli Cyber Tyre is like magic, and we tried it for ourselves

Pirelli’s sensor-equipped Cyber Tyre gives a car’s safety systems unprecedented insight into available grip. We try it

9 Oct 2026