Image: Renault Groupe.
In the mid 1970s, Volkswagen took the motoring industry by a pinch and threw it back after a punch. The new Golf was already quite revolutionary to customers across the global marketplace, but what really stood out was the introduction of a version which they say, stood for Grand Touring Injection - the GTI.
The Golf GTI was genesis. It was this biblical creator that suddenly took two polar opposites - everyday practicality and sports car performance - and combined them as eloquently as meat and mash in a fresh lasagne.
The hot hatchback genre was born and was here to stay. Opening the minds of many motoring enthusiasts, these practical insects of fun gave you almost all the car you ever needed for as long as you needed.
There were times however, when manufacturers went a bit stir-crazy. A bit shaky after a few pints, perhaps. Coming up now are five results of that.
Renault 5 Turbo
Image: Groupe Renault
In response to Lancia's rallying success story with the legendary Stratos, Renault thought it would be a good idea to come up with something that would dominate the rally stages in the Group 3 and Group 4 championships.
Power came from a 1.4 litre 4-cylinder engine which was supported by a whopping great Garrett turbocharger. It made 158bhp and unlike the standard Renault 5, the engine not only sat in the middle where the back seats would usually be, but they also drove the rear wheels.
To cope with this madness, the car was assembled by the specialist engineers in the Alpine factory in Dieppe. The car had the the gearbox from the larger Renault 30 TX and the suspension, wheels and tyres and other bits from the Alpine A310.
It's such a bizarre machine, but so typically 80s, it's hard not to adore.
2. Renault Clio V6
Image: Groupe Renault
The successor to the R5 Turbo was by no means any softer. In fact, it was even more ridiculous to the point where people really questioned the point of the whole project.
But nevertheless, as the name suggests, this was a little Renault Clio that used a 2.9 litre V6 developing between 227-252bhp depending on whether it was a 'Phase 1' or 'Phase 2' car. Less than 3,000 Clio V6s were made in total between 2001-05 and were fast... really fast.
0-60 took just 6.2 seconds and the little pocket rocket went up to nearly 150mph. And like the R5 Turbo, that engine was also mid-mounted and only drove the rear wheels. Oh, and it was also built in Dieppe where the Alpine brand once stood - although at this point - the plant was managed by Renault Sport.
3. VW Golf R32
Image: Volkswagen Group Press.
This was when VW's engineers went a little bit mad. They suddenly decided it was a brilliant idea to stuff a 3.2 litre V6 into a Golf and throw a tonne of power at it.
The VR6 engine had already asserted its dominance in the Corrado and MK3 Golf, but the MK4 R32 stepped it up a bit. The car churned out 238bhp and with the new DSG gearbox installed, could hit 60 in just 6.4 seconds.
A fast Golf was usually the most sensible of the hot hatchback range, but with the R32 in place, that title was challenged... a lot. Mind you, this was undoubtedly the one to go for, as the MK4 GTI was a bit of a lazy slug.
4. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Image: Alfa Romeo Press.
Alfa's 147 hatchback was the spiritual successor to the little Alfasud of the 1970s and 80s. It was small, practical and economical... apart from this one.
The GTA was stuffed with the brand's iconic Busso V6 engine in its largest 3.2 litre guise. It went from 0-60 in 6.1 seconds and topped over 150mph. All power went to the front wheels which meant one massive issue for the GTA... catastrophic understeer.
But still, this list isn't looking out for driving capabilities. And the hot rodded Alfa deserved a spot on it.
5. Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Image: FCA Media.
Designed as a Group A homologation special, the instantly-recognisable Delta Integrale was the pinnacle of all things hatchback and performance in the late 1980s after the Group B championship was canned.
In Evoluzione II guise, the 2.0 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine made 212bhp and was mated to a heavily sophisticated 4WD system and a whole load of other upgrades.
It was wider, more taught and pretty much faster than almost any other car bearing 5 doors. The Integrale not only represented a peak for Lancia, but for the hatchback genre too.
It's just a shame that nothing from the stagnated Italian brand has replaced it since.
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