Even though it yes wasn’t the initial gorgeous hatchback, new Volkswagen Tennis GTI popularised new breed and got they away in the realms of homologation unique. Brand new GTI began as the a great skunkworks enterprise, leading with the a finite collection, then a full production model, and then in the end right-hand push into British sector.
six litre motor taken from the newest imminent Audi 80GTE investment. The initial prototype was founded to an excellent Scirocco, while the design was given approval during the 1975. Just 5000 was to end up being built very first, however, demand are so great it registered the regular manufacturing range – including the today well-known baseball gearknob, red-colored stripe within grille and you can plaid upholstery. For 1982 the brand new system turned 1.8 litres, due to the fact MKII Tennis from 1983 based up on the sooner auto which have a more impressive and more slight bodyshell.
Of 1986 a beneficial sixteen device variation are offered now providing 137bhp – available with both around three and four doors, this is certainly probably the very best of the early sensuous Golfs even in case the Mk1 is much more worthwhile now. Best value When you need to run one every day is a keen 8v MKII 5 door, but that’s also because simple fact is that least fashionable. Should your hatchback isn’t really crucial (Regardless if that really does overcome the item away from an attractive hatch) the new Jetta GTi offers the same positives which have around three package feeling.
Vauxhall Astra GTE
Vauxhall’s very first Astra GTE are a bump. According to research by the MK1, it absolutely was among most recent of the first cadre regarding hot hatches. Therefore the MK2 regarding 1984 built onto it – beginning with a-1.8 litre 115bhp motor, in the 2987 they expanded so you’re able to a 2.0 130bhp unit distributed to the fresh new Cavalier SRi130 -as well as 2 many years afterwards a 150bhp sixteen valve design is given. All was indeed offered only for the about three doorway setting, even if Belmont SRi and you can LXi house habits provided much more bootspace having a similar system due to the fact first version.
The latest 16v variety of new reddish-better ended up being created by Cosworth, offering an attractive hatchback about company certain 36 months in the future of rally-derived Companion Cosworth model. With sixty within 7 moments, nothing so it edge of an effective Maestro Turbo could keep pace from inside the a straight line. When finished in white which have light wheels and you will digital dash, pair cars talked of eighties far more firmly than the Astra GTE MK2, and beliefs – without of up to the brand new Ford comparable – keeps popped over the past ten years thus.
Best value of the GTEs today is the very early step 1.8, no matter if which have 115bhp from inside the a tiny shell it’s still powerful sufficient so you’re able to prompt particular entertaining smiles. And while simple fact is that cost effective also, it is many tractable – the brand new 16v models particularly got continuously electricity to the frame and given bad traction and you will traction throughout the dry help by yourself new moist.
Peugeot 205 GTi
Truly the only hot hatch that the motoring push considered you can expect to wrest the latest top on the Tennis on mid-eighties is actually new Peugeot 205 GTi. It had been effortlessly a gas inserted sort of the brand new XS – alone a beneficial about three-home version of the 5-door GT. The initial automobiles got a 104bhp 1.six litre particular brand new XU motor, updated to own 1987 in order to 115bhp. 1986 would see the discharge of the 130bhp step 1.9GTi, using the same motor as the large 309GTi in the new 205’s compact shell. It was the auto that truly lit the bluish touching paper for Peugeot; a little, little fruitful site car that have Peugeot’s category-leading handling properties, twinned having an excellent number of fuel. Unsurprisingly teenage boys flocked for the car, just as unsurprisingly multiple was basically authored of, and you may – this does not end up being a surprise – insurance fees experienced this new roof. The latest step 1.six are discontinued for 1992 amid emissions points, due to the fact step one.9 try installing with an excellent catalytic converter. Fuel fell down seriously to 120bhp, however it was enough to hold the vehicle during the creation having two so much more ages.
