The EV boy racer boom is here: Seven electric hot hatches that deliver petrolhead thrills
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For die hard petrolheads, the term electric hot hatch possibly sounds like an oxymoron.
For decades, boy racers have been enjoying the thrills of practical performance cars with high-powered petrol engines that don't break the bank in terms of asking price.
These hot hatches offer the best of all worlds: blistering performance, sharp looks, and a enough space in the back row and boot for a fortnight family holiday to the seaside.
But the tide is changing: this year has already spelled the end for two iconic hot hatches - the Ford Focus ST and the Honda Civic Type R - as brands launch a new generation of souped-up EVs to be their greener replacements.
Some have retro looks, others have special 'engine noises' to keep the sceptics happy, and all have some serious horsepower claims - we're talking over 600bhp.
Here's seven EV hot hatches that are already here and available to order.
Price: £36,745
Range: 248 miles
The MG4 XPower was one of the first high profile performance hatchbacks, going on sale to the British public in 2023
Its 64kWh battery produces 430bhp and the XPower can do the 0-62mph sprint in 3.8 seconds, and it doesn't cost the earth
The MG4 XPower was one of the first high profile performance hatchbacks to arrive on the market, going on sale in Britain from 2023.
The all-wheel drive XPower offers power for a low price, and in the EV sector that goes a long way.
Its 64kWh battery produces 430bhp and the XPower can complete a 0-to-62mph sprint in 3.8 seconds. It has launch control and Track Mode Display for enthusiasts wanting data analysis – from power distribution to steering angle and even G-Force.
It also offers space for a family of five, a 363-litre boot (roughly enough for two medium and one cabin bag suitcase) and 248 miles of range.
Price: £29,975
Range: 164 miles
You can still get a supped up Fiat 500 even if you want to go electric: The Abarth 500e is a striking little hot hatch EV and it's under £30k
Abarth is making a 152hp 500e that it says will 'satisfy your craving for adrenaline' and 'turn sustainability into performance'
The Abarth is the Fiat 500 on steroids.
Abarth was founded in 1949 by Austrian racer car Carlo Abarth and gained global fame for its racing versions of the original Fiat 500.
Today, Abarth is part of the EV future, making the 152hp 500e that it says will 'satisfy your craving for adrenaline' and 'turn sustainability into performance'.
'The first electric scorpion' has the typical Abarth sporty look, with new driving modes. And if you're worrying that you will lose the rorty Abarth soundtrack, then fear not because the 500e comes with an 'Abarth Sound Generator' – evoking the historic hot hatch petrol engine noise.
As for stats, it can do 0-to-62mph in seven seconds, has 152bhp and 235Nm of instant torque. The sports interior in the Abarth is a real winner too.
Price: £44,820
Range: 366 miles
Cupra is the Spanish brand that started history as the performance motorsport division of Seat but went alone in 2018. Its Born ZV is an electric hot hatch to note
The Born ZV doesn't just have 322bhp and a 0-62 time of 5.6 seconds, but it has one of the best hot hatch EV ranges on offer: 366 miles
Cupra is the Spanish brand that started history as the performance motorsport division of Seat but became its own stand-alone marque in 2018.
Now the Barcelona-based car maker is bringing its sportiness to electric cars (as well as combustion) and none more than the Born VZ.
The electric hot hatch delivers serious fun, and lots of power to play with on a small scale. There's 322bhp, 402Nm of torque, and a 0-to-62mph in 5.6 seconds.
But crucially, you get a significant amount more range than most hot hatch EVs, so you can do long journeys or even holidays with family and friends in the Born VZ without worrying.
Price: £65,010
Range: 278 miles
An electric hot hatch with some pace: The Ioniq 5 N does 0-62mph sprint in 3.4 seconds and 601bhp
It's not cheap though - starting at over £65k it's one of the most expensive electric hot hatches out there
The hatch part of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has gotten lost in its hugeness (the 5 is almost a crossover SUV), but the hot part certainly hasn't.
It covers a 0-to-62mph sprint in 3.4 seconds and delivers a staggering 601bhp. Add in the launch control and decent range and it's quite the combination.
The interior has performance seats, contrast stitching and embossing, and mood lighting that makes it feel sporty to sit in. And yet it retains a sophisticated air both inside and out, and is more classic than some options on the market.
It is, however, a very expensive car, so you need to either really like a hot hatch or be prepared to do a lot of family miles in it to get bang for buck.
Price: £37,500
Range: 223 miles
The Alpine A290 is the boy racer version of the new Renault 5 and it's one of the best looking EV hot hatches in our opinion
It recently qualified for the Government's new Electric Car Grant, cutting £1,500 off its OTR price too
The Renault 5 has been a knock-out success, and the Alpine A290 from its sister brand is the revved-up version for those wanting more spice.
With 220bhp, 0-to-62mph in 6.4 seconds and 300Nm of torque, the A290 is fun but not the pocket rocket of this roundup.
And yet it is one of the best-looking cars on the list, thanks to some of the retro-inspired aesthetics it has taken from the R5.
If you're looking for an electric hot hatch with a dose of French flare, this is your bag.
Price: £34,905
Range: 250 miles
Mini John Cooper Works Electric brings some good old Brit Pop nostalgia and heritage to the new hot hatch EV market
It's one of the more aggressive looking hot hatch EVs out there, due to the body kit, chunky rear spoiler and contrast roof and mirror caps
The Mini brings heritage to the electric hot hatch market, and a good dose of British spirit.
The front-wheel EV manages to do 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and has 258bhp.
It's one of the more aggressive looking hot hatch EVs out there, due to the body kit, chunky rear spoiler and contrast roof and mirror caps.
The Sport mode style interior has a circular infotainment screen – the first in the world - which keeps that Mini dial design everyone loves.
Range isn't stellar – between 226 and 250 miles - but it's not terrible (similar to the Alpine), and charging time is just over five hours for a full slow charge.
But it's punchy to drive and stylish to look at – and shows that there's still good old fashion British fun to be had when buying an electric hot hatch.
Price: Circa £35,000 - £40,000
Range: 217 miles
Peugeot's GTI is back! French brand has slapped its legendary badge on its new e-208 EV - can it be the spiritual successor to the 205 GTi?
This is the initial electric Peugeot to wear the legendary badge - and the first to use the performance stamp since the 308 GTi was discontinued back in 2020. It goes on sale shortly
Peugeot has recently confirmed that its famed three-letter performance moniker, which is synonymous with its iconic 205 GTi of the 1980s and 1990s, has been stamped onto a souped-up version of the Peugeot e-208 EV. Sacré bleu!
It's officially the first time the adored badge has appeared for five years - since the 308 GTi was discontinued in 2020 - with deliveries due to arrive around the end of the year once order books open.
Peugeot has guaranteed the 'best performance in the electric hot hatch market', claiming the e-208 GTi will accelerate from zero to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds.
While the standard e-208 has the option of a 50 or 51kWh battery, the energy source for the GTi is an increased 54kWh unit.
Peugeot bosses claim it should return 217 miles of range on a full charge - though this figures is based on official fuel economy laboratory measurements and not the club-footed driving of a hooligan.
The battery supplies a 278bhp electric motor, which produces an impressive 345Nm of torque. Thanks to the improved traction from the chassis tweaks, it will provide a sub-six-second sprint time to 62mph and an electronically limited top speed of 112mph.
The big question on everyone's lips is how much the e-208 GTi is going to cost. While Peugeot has yet to put a firm figure on the electric hot hatch for the UK market, we expect it to ring in between £35,000 and £40,000.
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