HOT HATCH ARMAGEDDON! EXTINCTION NEARS FOR CHEAP FUN CARS - BLAME EVS! CARSGUIDE PODCAST EP 248

EV Channels Review

This episode of the CarsGuide Podcast tackles the impending 'extinction' of affordable hot hatches, driven by the shift towards EVs and rising prices. The hosts lament the demise of iconic models like the Megane RS, Focus ST, and Fiesta ST, noting that even performance benchmarks like the Golf GTI are becoming prohibitively expensive. While acknowledging a passionate enthusiast base, the core issue identified is affordability, with prices for performance hatches soaring from the mid-$20,000s to well over $40,000, and even $90,000 for premium options. The consensus is that if a buyer has been considering an affordable hot hatch, now is the time to act, as future electric alternatives are unlikely to match current price points. The discussion also touches on the new seventh-generation Ford Mustang, highlighting its updated digital interior and the new 'Dark Horse' trim, while noting it's effectively an evolution of the previous model and the last affordable V8 sports car. Other segments cover the updated Toyota GR86 and the delayed VW ID.3 in Australia.