Late-1980s European Hot Hatches (aka "Pit of Despair Eurostyle"!)

[cawimmer430]

Here we go! Select your European Hot Hatch from the late 1980s!

This is a massive poll and some of the models can be seen as "redundant" (Renault 9/11 for example are the same cars essentially or the Ford Escort XR3i and RS Turbo are also similar cars but different enough to warrant their place in this poll).


MY CHOICE: There are many great hot hatches on this list. The Peugeot 205. GTI is legendary for example. But my vote went to the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC. I remember when I was growing up and the Fiat Ritmo was a "common sight". I always liked their styling and I feel that the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC looks fantastic. A shame that they've all rusted away... 



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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti (105-hp)




Citroen AX GTi (101-hp)




Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC




Fiat Uno 1.3 Turbo (105-hp)




Ford Fiesta XR2




Ford Escort XR3i 1.6




Ford Escort RS Turbo 1.6




Lancia Delta HF Turbo




MG Metro Turbo




MG Maestro 2.0 EF




Opel Corsa GSi




Opel Kadett E GSi/GTE




Peugeot 205 GTI




Peugeot 309 GTI




Renault 5 GT Turbo




Renault 9 GT Turbo




Renault 11 Turbo




Seat Ibiza 1.7 SXI Sport Line




Volkswagen Golf GTI




Volkswagen Polo II GT G40

[Raza]

This is actually a really hard one.  So many great cars on this list.

[Colin]

The Peugeot 205 GTi still appeals a lot now, just like it did when new............ but I think my vote goes to the Lancia Delta, or perhaps the Ritmo/Strada 130 TC, or then again the Alfasud Ti.

There were plenty of desirable cars at that time - honourable mentions from that list also to the MG Maestro which despite its boxy styling was actually pretty good to drive, the 309 GTi and of course many reckoned that the Golf GTi was Top Dog of the day.   

[Vinsanity]

[cawimmer430]

This is actually a really hard one.  So many great cars on this list.

Take your time! 

[Northlands]

Golf.

I do really like the 309, but I have never seen or been in one IRL. Looks pretty good though.

[MexicoCityM3]

There are quite a few good cars on that list. I voted Renault 5GT for nostalgia but the Pug, Lancia, Escort & VW GTI are all desirable even today.

[cawimmer430]

Golf.

I do really like the 309, but I have never seen or been in one IRL. Looks pretty good though.

There's a red one around the corner from where I live. They are very rare these days because like most French/Italian cars from that era, they've rusted to bits.

[Rupert]

A lot of cars I don't know much about on there...

So, Lancia.

[Madman]

As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

                                     

[Laconian]

No despair here.

[2o6]

205, hands down.

[Rupert]

How does this Lancia compare with the Integrale? Integrale was a homoglation special, yes?

[Colin]

How does this Lancia compare with the Integrale? Integrale was a homoglation special, yes?

Yes......... but it sold in far larger numbers that anyone ever imagined. The first cars AWD cars were called HF 4WD and they replaced the HF Turbo, a fast hatch that looked little different from the regular 1300 and 1600 models. The HF 4WD were born from the need for something to replace the Group B rally cars that were outlawed in 1986 following too many deaths. It was an immediate hit. Over the next few years there was then a program of continued evolution with ever more powerful engines, wider tyres and styling changes. The Integrale really  captured the buyer's imagination such that rather selling the necessary 5000 they built over 44,000 cars and they are very well regarded (and priced accordingly now for one in good condition) now. The non-Integrale models are quite a rare sight though there are still some around.

[cawimmer430]

As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

I didn't expect any Maestro love here! That was surprising! 

[Colin]

The early 1.6 Maestro with the R Series engines were rather disappointing, improved somewhat with the short lived "S" Series engined cars, but when they dropped the "O" Series 2 litre into it, it became a very good car, but the reputational damage was kind of done.............. the Turbo version was extremely fast in its day, but a bit unruly. 

[S204STi]

Wimmer, you keep missing the fucking point of this subforum.  None of these are jalopies.

[MX793]

As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

                                     

We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker

[FoMoJo]

Where's the Sierra RS Cosworth?

[Colin]

We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker

As I understand it, the MG Maestro and the Renault R11 TXE Electronique, both launched in 1983 were the very first. There were indeed a few more (US) models that followed relatively soon afterwards.

[93JC]

The Chrysler system, called Electronic Voice Alert, was launched in 1983 model year Chrysler New Yorkers and LeBarons.

[Madman]

We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker

Yeah, but the Maestro's was multi-lingual.  And had a sexy sounding woman's voice that didn't sound like the robot from Lost In Space.

Well, at least in English, anyway.


MG1600 Left Hand Drive - Talking Digital Dash

[93JC]

Chrysler's system was also multi-lingual (cars sold in Canada had English or French, cars in Mexico had Spanish, etc.).

[Northlands]

We had an 85 Maxima with the chatty voice. English and Francais.

[280Z Turbo]

As I understand it, the MG Maestro and the Renault R11 TXE Electronique, both launched in 1983 were the very first. There were indeed a few more (US) models that followed relatively soon afterwards.

The 280ZX had it before that.

[cawimmer430]

Wimmer, you keep missing the fucking point of this subforum.  None of these are jalopies.

They make less than 150-hp, need an eternity to hit 100 km/h (like 7-10 seconds), they're FWD and they have no V8! That's Jalopies, baby!!! 

[cawimmer430]

Where's the Sierra RS Cosworth?

The Sierra was never a "hot hatch" in Europe. It's bigger than all these cars and was considered a large Ford in Europe.

[cawimmer430]

The early 1.6 Maestro with the R Series engines were rather disappointing, improved somewhat with the short lived "S" Series engined cars, but when they dropped the "O" Series 2 litre into it, it became a very good car, but the reputational damage was kind of done.............. the Turbo version was extremely fast in its day, but a bit unruly. 

I think Top Gear had an episode on it once and they actually praised it overall.

[Raza]

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a classic.  So is the Peugeot 205 GTi.  The Alfasud looks awesome.  The 309 GTi also makes a compelling argument.

I think I have to go 205 GTi here though.  After much internal deliberation.

[Cookie Monster]

Tough choice between the Golf, Renault 5, 205 and Lancia.