Overdrive Also tested
Hot hatch sitrep
VW Golfs and BMW 135 Stephen Dobie
THE DYING LIGHT
of the traditional hot hatchback is one recurring trend of a car industry in flux. When none of the French marques sell a dinky petrol performance car, you know trouble has long since brewed. EVs are starting to fill the gap, but another 500 or so kilos are much trickier to hide here than in a sports saloon or SUV. So let’s breathe a sigh of relief that the Germans remain loyal to one of the spunkiest market sectors of all, with a pioneer of the breed – the Volkswagen Golf GTI – recently receiving a welcome update to reinforce its positioning.