Author: PA Media

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will no longer present studio car shows, instead focusing on special episodes filmed on the road.

The presenting trio first joined together on the BBC’s Top Gear before moving on to front Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour.

After finishing filming for the third season of The Grand Tour, Clarkson announced they would no longer be filming from a studio.

Instead, the trio will return for a fourth season with a focus on special episodes.

Clarkson told The Sun: “It’s a really sad day. I will miss the banter with each other and with the audience.

“But we’ve been doing that show for effectively 17 years — sitting around in studios, watching cars race around the track.

“There are only so many times you can watch a BMW go round the track — what more can you say? It’s got four wheels and a seat.

“We all agreed that we’ve been doing it a long time and everything eventually runs its course.”

Amazon also revealed it will develop new television shows with each of the presenters individually.

Clarkson, 58, was sacked from Top Gear following a “fracas” with a producer over hot food in 2015, while May, 55, and Hammond, 48, left soon afterwards.

The Grand Tour arrived in 2016. Season three of the show will start streaming on Amazon Prime on January 18 2019.

The humble family hatchback is taking a beating from SUVs and premium models – the former offering that high-up driving position and rugged looks, the latter proving far more affordable on finance agreements than they have a right to.

But Brits still buy thousands of family hatchbacks each year, proving the segment isn’t dead yet. In fact, the second and third best-selling cars in the UK are the Ford Focus and VW Golf.

But what if you can’t afford the very latest model, or don’t want to be suckered into a several-year finance package? We’ve rounded up seven of the best of breed, all available on the used market in great condition for under £5,000.

Ford Focus

In terms of practical, good-to-drive and cheap-to-run family hatchbacks, the Ford Focus reigns supreme. Particularly with our £5,000 budget in mind, it makes excellent sense. You’ll be able to pick up a decent condition car with relatively low miles, and it’ll deliver day in, day out.

The Focus does well in terms of driver enjoyment too. It’s arguably one of the better cars in its class to drive, with communicative steering and a reasonably composed ride. Whatsmore, there’s tons of interior space to play with, and a decent boot capable of swallowing up all manner of items.

Skoda Octavia

Skoda has always had a knack for hitting the nail on the head when it comes to good value family hatchbacks. The Octavia stands out as a particularly strong package. Though it may appear to be a saloon, this Skoda’s cavernous boot is accessed via a – yes, you guessed it – a hatchback.

It means that you get all the dynamic styling of a saloon but with the practicality levels of a hatch. Good examples of the Octavia aren’t tricky to find with our price point in mind, either, and you’ll likely find a car with relatively low miles and a good amount of standard equipment, too.

Volkswagen Golf

Much like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen’s Golf is somewhat of a household name. The reason? Well, it’s been one of the most popular cars in the UK sales-wise for many, many years, and this is down to its combination of rock-solid build quality, dynamic drive and overall practicality.

It makes the Golf a compelling used buy, too. Though the ‘dieselgate’ scandal which shook the German company to its core may be fresh in the minds of many, look past that and you’ll still find a well-rounded and good value used car purchase.

BMW 1 Series

BMW dipped its toe in the hatchback market a little while back with its 1 Series, and it’s only gone from strength to strength since then. It may have initially been a little too expensive to qualify as an entry-level choice, but now that many used examples are on the market, it’s a more appealing prospect than ever before.

The 1 Series’ crucial trait was its sporting drive; much like many BMW vehicles, even lower-powered versions felt good to drive. You’ll also be able to get your hands on a good example of the 1 Series for our budget.

Audi A3

Budget cars may not often be associated with a premium badge, but the popularity of the Audi A3 for business customers means the used market is flooded with affordable examples of the German hatchback.

Offering good looks, typical Audi luxury and decent levels of technology, the A3 does it all — and at a reasonable price, too.

Honda Civic

There are few second-hand cars as dependable as a Honda Civic. The firm is known for producing some of the most reliable cars on the market and has found a loyal customer base as a result. Pair that with fun driving dynamics, and some spritely engine choices, and you’re on to a winner.

Examples in this budget boast bags of tech and solid service history — and if you’re feeling racy, even a high-performance Type-R can be had.

Vauxhall Astra

A prominent figure on the road, it’d be mad not to include the Astra on a list of budget hatchbacks. Since its introduction in 1979, the British public has come to love the Astra as a result of its good value, solid driving dynamics and respectable practicality.

Its popularity means there’s plenty on the used market. With £5k to work with, examples from the early part of this decade come into play — often with mileage below 70,000 and a good amount of kit on-board.

The festive season is upon us, and present shopping for the big day is well and truly underway — but what do you get for the car-mad person in your life?

We’ve put together a list of the ideal presents for petrolheads, and with a variety of different prices there’s sure to be something for every budget.

Xbox One X with Forza Motorsport 7 and Horizon 4 — £399

amazon.co.uk

Racing games are something anyone can enjoy — be it the kid who’s got another decade to wait before being able to get behind the wheel of a real car, or the older enthusiast with a garage full of exotica. We’ve picked out this Xbox One X bundle, which comes with the track-oriented Forza Motorsport 7 and its sister title Forza Horizon 4, which takes place in an open-world recreation of Britain — covering all the bases.

Autoglym bodywork, wheels and interior gift set — £64

Halfords

Every car enthusiast will want to keep their motor looking as good as the day it came out of the showroom, so why not treat the enthusiast in your life to a full valeting kit from Autoglym? With gear suited for cleaning bodywork, wheels

and interior respectively, there’s products to cover all bases for a reasonable price.

Car show tickets — varies

Various

There are few better ways to spend a day out for a petrolhead than attending a car show, and there’s all sorts taking place up and down the country to appeal to all tastes. Your recipient a fan of classics? Bicester’s Sunday Scramble has that covered. Prefers heavily modified machinery? Japfest at Silverstone can appeal to that taste. There’s countless more at great prices too, so have a look around.

McLaren x Gandys MCL33 Halo Edition Flip Flop — £24

gandyslondon.com

Earlier this year, McLaren teamed with fashion firm Gandys to create a flip flop in celebration of the introduction of the ‘halo’ to F1 — which many believe look like the footwear. Decked out in McLaren orange with a blue strap, your loved one will be racing into summer with these.

Nextbase 412GW dash cam – £129.99

nextbase.co.uk

Dashcams get something of a bad rap thanks to terrible drivers and the magic of the internet, but they’re still a great way to combat the threat of crash-for-cash scammers. This mid-range Nextbase offers really good-quality footage and is super-easy to use too.

Porsche 911 speaker – £799

porsche-design.com

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a Porsche 911. But for those whom the rear-engined sports car noise is a dream too far, then there’s this Bluetooth speaker crafted from the exit pipes of a 911 GT3. With a full aluminium housing, this speaker has a battery life of close to 24 hours.

Piloti driving shoes – from £139

piloti.co.uk

Serious drivers need serious shoes — right? However, it’s undeniable that if turning up to a social event in race boots will make anyone look like a wally. Piloti shoes combine stylish Italian-designed uppers with proper heel support to make long drives easy and stylish.

Off-road driving experience at Eastnor Castle – from £129

eastnor.landroverexperience.co.uk

Off-road driving is a seriously fun way to waste a day and is a bit different to the usual supercar track experience. Land Rover runs experiences like this across the country in its range of unstoppable off-roaders, and a taster session starts from just £129.

Pashley Morgan-8 bicycle – £1595

pashley.co.uk

Morgan may be famed for its use of wooden and aluminium construction in its cars, but this bicycle – the Pashley Morgan-8 – takes this ethos and applies it to two wheels. You get a classy ‘Pearl Grey’ paint scheme along with black wood veneer mudguards which combine to get you as close as you could be to a Morgan with handlebars.

Estates sometimes can feel like a forgotten segment, especially with the ever-rising popularity of SUVs and crossovers — but they’re by no means dead. In most cases, for the same price, you can get a lot more estate than you can SUV.

The function-over-form bodystyle was however once the go-to for the salesman, bigwigs and families all-over — and the result is a used market full of bargains. We take a look at what £8,000 can get in the classifieds…

Volvo V70

Practicality is something usually associated with Volvo estates – the V70 is no exception. With a massive boot and lots of cabin space, this is one handy family wagon. And on this budget, there is plenty of choice on offer. Want sporty looks? Opt for an R-Design model. After something a bit posher? Go for a Lux model. Don’t think you have to stretch back too far either, with good examples from 2008 available within budget.

Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon

Style is something the 159 Sportwagon doesn’t lack in the slightest. It’s sleek, striking, suave exterior turns heads like no other estate. In TI and TBi form, Italian flare is turned up to 11, adding bigger wheels along with some other sporty styling upgrades. Not many estates manage to blend practicality and good looks as well as this Alfa does.

Audi A4 Avant

Those looking for a good all-rounder with a premium badge, take a look at the Audi A4 Avant from around 2010. While it may not be as handsome as the 159, it’s still certainly a smart package. This German estate can be had with an efficient, yet punchy, 2.0-litre engine, with many of those equipped with a generous amount of gizmos and gadgets.

BMW 330i Touring

Another good German estate is the BMW 330i or 330d Touring. With an almost 300bhp, 3.0-litre engine, what you have here is a fast and practical car – two words that aren’t often associated with each other. Those with kids in need of a fun-to-drive machine will find this a good bet – especially at a bargain £8,000.

Skoda Octavia vRS

Speaking of performance, here is the Octavia vRS – a fast variant of the practical Octavia. In estate form, this becomes a car than effortlessly blends performance and practicality. And it does this without shouting about it – to most, this looks no different to a normal Octavia. But you see, that is the beauty of this car; because the subtle visual upgrades don’t make you twig it’s something quite special, which makes how quick it is even more surprising.

Jaguar X-Type

Want something a little bit fancy and British? Well, the leather-filled X-Type upmarket X-Type may be a good choice. There’s a good choice of engines too, all the way from a 2.0-litre diesel to a 3.0-litre sporty petrol V6 – all under £8,000. If any car screamed picnic in the countryside, it would be this one. A luxurious, yet affordable estate for the family.

Vauxhall Insignia Sport Tourer

For the biggest breadth of options, look at the Insignia Sport Tourer. There are tons of used ones out there, from 2010 to 2015 – there’s a lot of choices under £8,000. Anything from a Tech Line to an Exclusiv model can be bought within this budget.

Saab 9-3 2.8 T

We don’t hear about Saab that much anymore. Since the company went bust in December 2011, nothing has really happened that could bring back the carmaker from the dead. However, although the company’s gone, not all their cars are. A lot of them are still going, like the 9-3 estate. The one we’ve selected is the sporty 2.8 litre T for some extra performance.

by Oliver Young

There’s this idea going around that everybody who wears a suit for a living must have their car on a finance deal. Not so! It’s possible to have something that carries just as much weight in the company car park, is just as comfortable and equally good to drive for just £10,000 if you buy used.

We’ve rounded up some of the best executive models – mainly saloons, though many of these have an equivalent estate model available. All of the cars here will give many years of faithful service, treading the motorways up and down the land – though plenty of them will also provide a fair few laughs on a country lane as well. Most importantly, they’ll happily do double duty as a comfortable cruiser during the week and a family bus at the weekends.

BMW 5 Series

There’s a reason the BMW 5 Series has proven to be the go-to repmobile choice for dozens of years now — with serious levels of equipment, good efficiency and quality to back all of that, it’s arguably the benchmark for the competition.

As a result of its popularity, there’s plenty of them on the second-hand market — and many within our budget here. So long-term reliability may be questionable for older examples, so its key to get something well-kept — but fair-mileage 520ds from the earlier part of this decade are a-plenty at this part of the market.

Lexus IS

Lexus may not quite hold the same level of prestige here in the UK as German rivals — but its products are known for quality and reliability. Oh, and because they’re not too popular, depreciation tends to hit hard — meaning there’s great deals to be had on the used market.

With a £10k net cast, it’s pretty easy to catch a very well-specced, not-too-old example. At the top end of that are 2012 IS 250 models, hovering around the 60,000-mile mark and completed with features such as a reversing camera, navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

Mercedes C-Class

Merc’s baby saloon has always been a solid favourite with execs, thanks to its all-important badge appeal and involving driving experience. Though build quality has wavered somewhat throughout the years, it’s still a great option for those who want to do lots of miles in a good degree of comfort.

At this price point you’re going to be inundated with options. You’ll be able to get a 2014-plate car for under £10,000, though as is the case with these types of cars, look out for a full service history and miles which aren’t sky-high.

Jaguar XF

The XF may be the product that saved Jaguar from irrelevance. Coming off the back of the old-fashioned and softly-styled S-Type and X-Type, the XF showed the world that Jaguar could be contemporary, European and forward-thinking.

The result is a car that’s available now for less than £10,000, but looks good, drives well and if cared for can even prove to be decently reliable. It debuted features which have become commonplace on new Jags – such as the rising gear selector and rotating air vents – and introduced a design language which remains to this day.

Audi A5

Audi proved that a coupe could be a perfectly viable alternative to an executive saloon when it released the A5. After all, how many people actually use their back seats regularly anyway?

The A5 was essentially an A4 saloon under the skin, so it’s an easy, comfortable thing to drive with the security of quattro four-wheel drive on many versions. Opt for an ‘Ultra’ model and you’ll get incredible fuel economy – opt for a sporty S5 and you’ll outrun most anybody at the traffic lights. At £10k, there should be an A5 for everyone.

Volvo S60

The Swedes are experts at building bulletproof, yet comfortable motors and the Volvo S60 is no different — no matter its age.

Subtle-yet-stylish, the S60 has always proven to be a solid alternative to traditional German competition and its a seriously good prospect for the executive buyer on a budget. With £10k to play with, base-spec examples as recent as 2015 can be had within budget — although opting for a slighter older model will net you an R-Design with more equipment.

Volkswagen CC

You could opt for a boring old Passat in this territory. But you could also decide to opt for style over practicality and go for its swoopier, classier sibling – the Passat CC, later named just the CC.

This kept most of the benefits of the Passat – its solid interior and strong engine lineup being two particular highlights – but added a swooping coupe body. £10k will allow you your pick of the classifieds – we turned up a mid-spec, diesel automatic model with low mileage for just £9,000.

BMW 3 Series

Much like the Mercedes C-Class, the BMW 3 Series is the go-to option in the exec car class. Why? Well it’s the combination of good looks, badge appeal and a fine range of engines which has made it so popular.

Again, you’re going to able to pick from a vast amount of cars for under our budget, as well as a variety of different engines too.

Mercedes E-Class

Mercedes’ E-Class has been around for decades, and it’s made a name for itself as the ultimate in mid-range luxury. There’s a certain aura of class that the three-pointed star provides – more so than almost any other badge – and that’s backed up by a really strong range of engines and a superbly comfortable ride.

You won’t bag the latest model with all of its high-tech features for our budget, but you’ll get the sharply-styled previous generation instead, and that’s no bad thing. Opt for one of the V6 diesels for the ultimate E-Class experience.

Ford Mondeo

Sure, the Mondeo occupies a class below the rest of the cars here – it’s definitely a mainstream brand rather than a premium or executive choice. But there’s no denying that it’s great to drive, and particularly well equipped in Titanium X form.

While ten thousand big ones will buy you a good example of a premium car, it’ll buy you a barely run-in Mondeo – or one of the most current models, benefitting from new tech and safety equipment. It’s also a less showy choice than many here, blending in to the crowd rather than standing out from it.

Modern day car design is all about standing out – being bold and eye-catching. Nowadays, if manufacturers aren’t daring with their designs, their cars simply don’t sell. So for better or worse, beautiful or ugly, car design is changing.

 

So, what about the old fashioned front number plate? Will they work on the faces of radical new designs? Well, that brings us to the five new cars we’ve picked out – all of which feature beautiful bold designs that simply don’t go well with a front number plate.

 

Aston Martin Vantage

The new Aston Martin Vantage is a striking car to say the least, with an aggressive yet elegant design. One of the stand out features is the gaping front grille, that looks as if the car wants to eat the road ahead. The only problem is, when you put a number plate on it (which you have to – it’s the law in the UK) it just looks as if the car is posturing to swallow the number plate first.

 

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

 

Another new Aston with a gaping mouth is the gorgeous DBS Superleggera. Unfortunately though, it suffers from the same ailment as the Vantage – the front grille is so big that the number plate looks small in comparison. This results in the car looking as if, yet again, it’s eating the number plate. Not ugly as such, just a bit odd.

 

Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa’s has always struggled with number plates, mainly due to the signature triangular front grille in the centre of the front bumper. This means number plates have always had to be awkwardly pushed to one side. And with the sleek curvy nature of the 4C, number plates stand out more than they should on such a good-looking car. Instead of the first thing you see being the beautiful Italian design, either in coupe or spider form, the first thing you actually see is some numbers and letters placed on the front of it.

 

Honda NSX

 

Like the Alfa Romeo, where the front number plate sits on the latest Honda NSX isn’t completely flat, causing the plate to stand out. This in turn draws your attention away from the futuristic, aggressive, good-looking exterior, and focuses it on the number plate instead. Without it, the NSX would look that bit more sleeker and streamlined, just as Honda intended. By no means does it ruin the look of the car, but by no means does it improve it either.

 

Lamborghini Huracan Performante

 

For the more dramatic version of the already over-the-top Huracan, Lamborghini made the front very straight forward – a wide aerodynamic piece with a couple of fang-esque details at each end of the carbon fibre splitter. Now, with most of the middle part of this handsome bull’s face coloured black, a number plate placed on it becomes all the more obvious. But that’s just what sometimes happens with exotic supercars like the Performante.

When searching for a car,  we all look for different things — be that engine type, gearbox, colour or even something as trivial as whether it has Bluetooth. But one thing most buyers have in common, no matter the type of car, is a desire for good boot space.

Wondering which car offers the most boot for your buck? We’ve done the research for you…

 

Large SUV

Land Rover Discovery – 1,137 litres

The Land Rover Discovery has always been a go-anywhere type of vehicle that’s capable of carrying a whole family, plus a set of luggage and a couple of dogs too. The latest model is no different – with a class leading 1,137 litres of boot space (with the third row of seats folded down). But don’t mistake this Discovery for just a one-trick pony. The quality of this SUV, especially this time around, is for undoubtedly on par with the luxurious offerings from Land Rover’s high-end Range Rover models.

MPV

Ssangyong Turismo – 875 litres

You may not have heard of the Ssangyong Turismo or maybe even Ssangyong as a manufacturer — but if practicality is your game, then it’s one you should look consider. The South Korean firm has built a name on good-value machinery that offers more car for the money than just about anyone else can. With a class-leading 875 litres of space, the Turismo is no exception.

Estate

Mercedes E-Class Estate – 670 litres

The latest Mercedes E-Class has been praised heavily ever since it hit showroom floors — the estate version even more so due to its extra practicality. The boot is a massive 670 litres, meaning it’ll take just about anything you could throw at it. It also offers a squared-off boot opening, making it easy to get things into and out of.

Hatchback

Skoda Octavia – 590 litres

The Skoda Octavia may stretch the definition of a hatchback, but its almost saloon-like shape means it boasts more space than any of its rivals — coming in at 590 litres. The Octavia is a good-all-round car, especially if you go for the sporty vRS version.

Supermini

Seat Ibiza– 355 litres

The Seat Ibiza is another good all-rounder, that excels in the practicality game. The Ibiza offers an unparalleled boot compared with any of its key rivals such as the Skoda Fabia or Ford Fiesta. To be specific, it has 355 litres of space even with the rear seats up. This combined with a stylish exterior and generous amount of features means you really can’t go wrong with the Ibiza.

City Car

Suzuki Ignis – 267 litres

City cars usually take a hit on boot space as a result of their compact nature.  Suzuki hasn’t had to make that much of a sacrifice with the Ignis though, totalling a respectable 267 litres out back. This makes this funky, great-to-drive city car small, yet practical. And because it’s a city car, it’s affordable too.

by Oliver Young

Halloween is creeeeeeeeping up on us as it does every year, and pretty soon you won’t be able to move for discount sweets, children dressed as zombies and a mounting sense of dread as you realise your doorbell’s going to be ringing all night.

Planning a spooky halloween getaway to avoid the crowds? We’ve shortlisted eight of the world’s scariest cars you could consider for a real October holiday in style.

Prices for cars on this list range from under £1,000 to over £300,000, so there’s something to suit every budget. Whether you’re after a sports car with a speedy sting in the tail, or a wraith-like apparition that can silently creep up on anybody, we’ve got you covered.

Rolls-Royce Ghost

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is eerily silent and scarily powerful, but it’s the ‘Ghost’ moniker that qualifies it for a place on this list. After all, what’s spookier than a spirit?

In fact, Rolls-Royce has several model names that would make it onto this list – including Shadow, Wraith, Spirit and Phantom – but Ghost is straight to the point.

Reva G-WIZ

Imagine the scene. You’ve just finished up on a date – it’s all gone very well, and you think you’d like to see them again.
“How are you getting home?” they ask you. You took the bus. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll give you a lift back,” they reply, taking a key from their pocket.
You head out to the car park.
You walk past the BMW 1 Series, the Volkswagen Passat and the Honda Jazz – normal, average cars.
You see your date heading towards a dark, shadowy figure.
“Please,” you whisper to yourself. “Anything but that.”
It’s the size of a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe.
It’s as safe as a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe.
It’s got a cutesy sticker on the back, and the panel gaps are wider than your finger.
It’s a Reva G-Wiz.
It’s an electrically-powered deathtrap that should never have existed.
It’s the biggest threat to your personal safety since your mother sent you that link to a story about killer clowns.
And unfortunately, the only choice you have now is to run away.
Far away.
Quickly.

Chevrolet Corvair

Few cars are influential enough to have entire books written in their honour, but the Corvair holds that rather dubious title. A quirk of its swing-axle suspension led to a title by activist Ralph Nader – scarily named ‘Unsafe at any Speed’.

The Corvair – along with many other cars of the time – was horrifically unsafe, and Nader’s book scared the authorities enough that soon things like rollover protection, soft-touch dashboards and even seatbelts became legal requirements. It was the damning of the Corvair in Chapter One that led to the model’s demise, noting its propensity for dangerous oversteer, its tendency to roll over and irresponsible manufacturing decisions.

Mercedes-AMG G 63 6×6

Monsters are often huge and seemingly deformed, and that’s exactly why the Mercedes-AMG G 63 6×6 is in this list.

Think of the regular G 63 as a zombie horde — powerful in nature, a little scary, but ultimately not the strongest thing out there. The 6×6 is like the tank of those — taking everything up a whole notch. Retaining the powerful drivetrain, this beast adds — you guessed it — an extra axle, allowing it to hunt down anything across all terrains even better than before. Be afraid.

Dodge Viper RT/10

There’s no horror story behind the Dodge Viper RT/10, but stepping in one will send shivers down your spine like no terrifying tale ever could.

Conceived back in 1991, the hardcore machine packed a monstrous 8.0-litre V10 sending 450bhp to the rear wheels. It’s a real Frankenstein creation too, with a truck-sourced motor stuck into a fibreglass body. And there’s no driving assists here either — it’ll take pure driving skill to stop this snake biting.

Mystery Machine

Like, zoinks! No list of scary vehicles would be complete without the iconic Mystery Machine – faithful transport for Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby Doo since 1969. Canonically, the Mystery Machine was formerly owned by a band – the Mystery Kids – before it passed into the hands of Scooby and the gang, ready to travel from spooky hotel to abandoned theme park to creepily cobwebbed power station.

In fact, the Mystery Machine’s probably harder-working than most emergency service vehicles – fearlessly travelling into and out of crime scenes for over four decades. That’s enough to put the jinkies up anyone.

Fiat 124 Spider

Spiders are scary, let’s all just agree on this. The creepy-crawly creatures are the stuff of many nightmares — and no matter how big or small, hairy or not, they could spook anybody.

Fortunately, the Fiat 124 Spider is an exception to this rule. While it may have something of an aggressive face, there’s a loveable side to this little Italian arachnid. Mazda MX-5 roots mean it’s a playful little thing, while Italian flair gives it a lustful personality. This is one spider you wouldn’t throw out the window.

Chrysler Voyager

The inoffensively-styled American minivan known as the Chrysler Voyager may not seem the scariest vehicle around, but wait until you see the havoc it can wreak on its occupants in a crash. When tested by Euro NCAP, the first-generation Voyager fared so badly in the frontal impact test that it scored no points.

Even clever Stow’N’Go seating and a comfy ride couldn’t woo buyers, and the Voyager skulked at the edge of the MPV class, threatening to crush children in its capacious interior, until the much-improved second-generation model arrived in 2007.

Britain loves a hot hatch. Ever since the original Volkswagen Golf GTI landed on these shores back in the 70s, a nation of petrolheads fell in love with the notion of a car that could offer bags of performance while also being able to ferry the kids to school.

Since then, every manufacturer under the sun seems to have had a crack at the much-loved formula — with some pulling it off better than others. The result is a market flooded with practical, but seriously punch machinery.

We’ve picked out some of the best hot hatches £10,000 can snag you on the used market…

Ford Fiesta ST

We’re starting this list with the Ford Fiesta ST because quite frankly, it’s already legendary. There are myriad ways to tinker with the basic hot hatchback recipe, but Ford just got it so ‘right’ with the Mk7 Fiesta ST.

The car’s best feature was its honesty. There was nothing fancy about its non-adjustable suspension or relatively basic 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It built on the handsome regular Fiesta with a subtle bodykit and some excellent alloy wheels, while all you got inside to mark it as an ST were a few badges and some truly brilliant Recaro seats.

It’s in the drive where this thing marked itself out, as the Fiesta ST is about as much fun as you can possibly have on four (or sometimes three) wheels. £10k should buy you a well-looked after example, possibly from a dealer’s own approved used stock.

Mini John Cooper Works

Marketing bumpf is usually just wishful thinking, but in Mini’s case ‘go-kart handling’ really is the name of the game. All Minis corner like hot hatchbacks, but opting for one with the famous John Cooper Works badge on the rear means you get the power under the bonnet to really exploit the car’s playful chassis.

For our £10k budget, you’ll be looking at late examples of the second-generation ‘new’ Mini, in good condition with full service history. Shop carefully – after all, 211bhp hot hatchbacks don’t attract the same careful owners as, say, a Honda Jazz, so make sure all maintenance has been done and budget some cash for consumables, such as tyres, shock absorbers or a new clutch.

If you choose wisely, you’ll end up with an adorable premium hatchback that also goes like the clappers.

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki’s Swift Sport was the last of a breed in its previous generation — offering a back-to-basics naturally aspirated engine paired up to a bolt-action-like six-speed manual gearbox.

A new, turbocharged machine now joins the firm’s line-up — but the outgoing machine presents itself as a compelling option for any hot hatch enthusiast. Although not the most powerful, with ‘only’ 128bhp from its 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit, it excels on tighter roads — thanks to a lightweight chassis with a playful character.

Well-kept examples can be had comfortably under 10k, and also offer bags of equipment such as cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and keyless go. Expect even more to flood the market as owners switch to the new generation.

Honda Integra Type R

‘Type R’ is about as iconic in Japanese enthusiast circles as Skyline, drifting and rotary engines — and its debut in the UK ensured it’d become a success here too.

Roll back to 1997 and this — the Honda Integra Type R opened the batting for the iconic nameplate in the UK. Its screamer of a VTEC engine was paired up to an ultra-strong, racing homologated chassis and this meant the Integra could chew up almost anything else on the road — gaining a reputation as a serious drivers’ machine.

As with anything Japanese and 90s, prices for the Integra are beginning to creep up and only just come in under budget here — but for that, you’re securing a hatch that’s not only going to be an absolute riot to drive, but one you’ll have no problem making a pretty penny on when time comes to sell.

Renaultsport Megane

The Renaultsport Megane is a genuine legend – it’s held many a lap record in its time, thanks to handling that can only be described as legendary.

Available in more pedestrian forms or hardcore ‘Cup’ and ‘Trophy’ variants, there’s a Megane RS to suit every kind of driver – as well as every budget. We’re talking serious future classic value on some of these, so opting to pay £10k now for a tidy and desirable model

VW Golf GTI

It’s impossible to create a list like this without mentioning the OG, the daddy, the one that started it all – the Volkswagen Golf GTI. An icon of more than four decades, the GTI wasn’t the first hot hatch, but it was the one that popularised the idea that a car could be fun, practical, cheap to run and no harder to own than a regular runabout.

Our budget sees a huge choice of Mk5 and Mk6 models – which were the perfect antidote to the catastrophic Mk4. Though the DSG automatic was available, they’re very fragile at this age so we’d opt for the weighty six-speed manual instead.

With up to 227bhp on offer and the same neutral and massively capable chassis that’s categorised the GTI since launch, these really are great cars and worth the investment.

Mazda3 MPS

Think ‘hot hatch’ and it’s unlikely this Mazda is going to spring to mind — but the 3 MPS is arguably a hidden gem in the world of performance motoring.

The 3 always boasted quality driving dynamics, as is to be expected from any Mazda really, but it got the power to match courtesy of an incredibly potent 2.3-litre engine. On top of that, it boasts some pretty aggressive looks to boot.

A positive of its relative obscurity comes in the value on offer now — with all but the most pristine models available within the £10k budget. Get in before the rest of the world sees how much potential lies in the Mazda…

Abarth 500 Essesse

So it may have to looks of a regular Fiat 500, but the Abarth 500 is a totally different beast altogether.

The playful little thing will happily carve up any tight road you throw at it and keep up with cars that may well look more the part in the process. Matching its performance is a real ‘look at me, I’m really a Ferrari’ exhaust note, too.

While £10k means you can cast your Abarth net far and wide, we’re highlighting the desirable and rare 500 Essesse models from early in the car’s production run here — which gets more power, and improved chassis components from factory.

Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Vauxhall’s hot hatchbacks have often played second fiddle to Ford in the popularity stakes, and the Corsa VXR is no exception – it didn’t sell anything like as many units as the Fiesta ST of the time. But that doesn’t mean it deserves to be discounted, as it’s still a remarkable little thing.

The Corsa VXR offers more power than the Fiesta of its time, but can be had for a far cheaper price. Both cars handle brilliantly and are usable every day, while the Corsa’s interior is actually a little more user-friendly and well-built than the Fiesta. Ultimate fun factor and street cred aren’t quite up there, but the little Vauxhall is still worth a look.

A new poll has revealed the most popular albums to listen to while driving.

Fleetwood Mac’s iconic Rumours topped the bill after drivers were asked which album they would listen to while driving alone.

Coming in at second was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles, followed by Ed Sheeran’s Divide.

Other notable albums which entered into the top ten came from artists such as Adele, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Elton John and U2.

The top three choices varied between age groups, however. Ed Sheeran took the number one spot for 18-34 year olds, while Fleetwood Mac was tied with the soundtrack from the movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ for second. However, for the remaining age groups, Fleetwood Mac was the most popular.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Playing an album can help reduce boredom on long journeys but is there an ideal type of music to drive to? Some academics warn that up-tempo loud music may not be as safe as slower, quieter tracks.

“We are told that if music is above 60 beats per minute, listeners experience a faster heart rate and increased blood pressure which could lead to them taking more risks. Classical music may not be as fast as dance music, but the number of notes, combined with the repetitive crescendo and diminuendo can have the same effect.”

The AA survey was undertaken to coincide with the first National Album Day on October 13 and questioned over 20,000 AA members.

Fleetwood Mac’s success in the poll could be because The Chain, from the Rumours album is synonymous with Formula 1. It’s been the sport’s soundtrack on and off since 1978, making it instantly recognisable for most motoring enthusiasts.

Despite over a fifth of all music listening taking place in a car, the poll also revealed that 29 per cent of 65 year olds and over don’t listen to an album while driving. On the opposite end, only 10 per cent of 18-24 years olds admitted to driving without music.