The toughness, elevation changes, curves, and lengthy stretches of tarmac that make up Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife popular with auto enthusiasts and manufacturers have earned it the moniker “Green Hell.” On this track, comparing lap times is entertaining, but objectively speaking, it is flawed because factors like driver skill and weather are not taken into account.
Hatchbacks and sports cars are a contentious topic that doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. The fact that hatchbacks are more practical than coupes, less expensive, and even more stealthy is part of the appeal. The hot hatches on this list have managed to outperform some thoroughbred sports cars and super sedans in terms of lap times. As a result, manufacturers now prize low hatchback Nürburgring lap times. In the world of hatchbacks, the Nürburgring profile is still going strong.
The top 10 hot hatchbacks on the Nürburgring are listed below.
| Fastest Hot-Hatches Nürburgring Edition | Lap Time |
|---|---|
| 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R | 7:40.10 |
| 2017 Honda Civic Type R Mk5 | 7:43.8 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI ClubSport S | 7:47.19 |
| 2015 Honda Civic Type R | 7:51.42 |
| 2014 Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy R | 7:54.36 |
Nürburgring Hot-Hatches
1. 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R – 7:40.10
The 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy-R is the high-end variant of the Mégane. With only 500 units created, it is a model with limited production. It broke two front-wheel-drive category records: the Nürburgring record (7:40.10) and the Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium (2m 48.338s).
With the same 300 horsepower engine as its Trophy sister, the Megane RS Trophy-R is faster than the latter because of improved aerodynamics and weight reduction. The hot hatch accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 162 mph thanks to its 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission.
2. 2017 Honda Civic Type R Mk5 – 7:43.8
The 2017 Honda Civic Type R Mk5 holds the record for the second-fastest front-drive production car around the ring with a time of 7:43. With the exception of the spaceship style aspects, the MK5 is nearly faultless; it has a large trunk, a smooth ride, and roomy back seats that can accommodate an average adult.
Even though the power difference between this version and the previous one is minimal, we were still able to beat it by more than 30 seconds. It had a hot-rod 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 295 lb-ft of torque and 306 horsepower, which was competitive in its class. The hot hatch reached a high speed of 169 mph and was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds thanks to its six-speed manual transmission.
3. 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI ClubSport S – 7:47.19
This 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI ClubSport S is arguably the most powerful car that features the GTI badge. By eliminating the rear seats to reduce weight, the car is prepared for maximum track dominance. Only 400 were made, and all 2016 ClubSport units were gone before delivery had started.
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine that powers all high-performance Golfs was installed in it. In this instance, the engine was modified to produce 306 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The front wheels receive this power via a six-speed manual transmission. Its top speed is 165 mph, and its record time from 0 to 62 mph is 5.8 seconds.
4. 2015 Honda Civic Type R – 7:51.42
The Honda Civic Type R has consistently outperformed its competitors, punching above its weight. It broke the previous Nürburgring record held by the extreme, stripped-down Megane RS 275 Trophy R (which had back seats, polycarbonate windows, and track-day-spec rubber).
None of those sacrifices were there in the 2015 Civic; it was merely a brilliantly engineered front-wheel-drive sports car with a large trunk, excellent rear seats, and an incredible ride. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood produced 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Civic reached a top speed of 169 mph after accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds thanks to the engine’s six-speed manual transmission.
5. 2014 Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy R – 7:54.36
This hot-hatch was specifically designed by the French-based company to unseat the Seat Leon SC Cupra 280 at the Nürburgring. They certainly didn’t let us down. At first appearance, there isn’t much to distinguish the RS 275 Trophy from the RS 265; but, closer inspection shows numerous unique features.
Its 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine produced 275 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of peak torque, and it had a top speed of 158 mph. It took 6.0 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph.