Hottest hot hatches of all time
The hot hatches trend began in the Europe in the 50s. The Mini kind of kick started the small car, peppy engine, go anywhere trend.Be it a short ride to shop or one of those European road trips, the hot hatches were ready for anything. Most of today's middle-aged people grew watching these cars grow into mature and muscular sheet metals from their skinny past. These timeless machines are wonders living through decades and never lose their style.
Europe is the home to some of the most enthralling hot hatches and a walk down the memory lane will take each one of us right through the life of these wonderful little beasts. Here is a list of the greatest hatches of all time.
1) VW Golf GTI (Mk1)
Arguably one of the greatest hot hatches of all time due to its colossal impact, arriving early to the scene in 1976. Basically a family hatch with a little sporty DNA, the Golf put the hot hatches on the charts, and became the Pied Piper of its time. Many others imitated the Golf thereby starting the hot hatch trend. Although many say that the GTI is the first of its kind, the Mini Cooper and Alfa Romeo Alfasud were one of the earliest hot hatches to enter the market.
2) Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Widely considered to be the first true hot hatch available on the market, it's controls were considered unorthodox at the time (the lights, indicators, horn, wipers and heater fan are all operated by shifting two column stalks) but they're a whole lot of fun now. When it was first shown in 1971 the Alfasud was applauded for its looks, and more than 30 years later it hasn't lost its charm.
3) Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Since the early 80s the hot hatch market saw cars that were largely influenced by Group B rally cars but none had the swag impact compared to the Integrale. Integrating developments from the 1987 rally season, the Detla Integrale was equipped with cutting edge state of the art rally tech that you would have found in rally cars hurtling to victories amidst the wilderness.The Delta HF Integrale not only made strides as an everyday hot hatch but also dominated the rallying world between 1987 and 1992 winning the constructors championship six times in a row.
4) Ford Escort XR3i
Another rally inspired hot hatch was the 'Simple and Efficient' Escort. Attempting to live up to the benchmark of the Golf GTI, the Escort forged its own path and went on to become the UK's best selling car of all time, selling 4,000,000 units.
5) Mini Cooper S and JCW
Mini's kind of started the hot hatch trend and it would be wrong if I did not include them on this list. The JCW and the S variants of the Mini were marvelous machines and gained great respect among the cars of its era. The Mini has always been a British icon and its small, convenient design allowed designers and engineers to get what they wanted of these little monsters.
The Verdict
Well this is our list of greatest all timers, there are several cool hot hatches that have stolen our hearts and even souls, like the Renault Clio Alpine,and William, Peugeot 205 GTI, Honda Civic R Type etc...... What are some of your favorites? List them in the comment section......
Europe is the home to some of the most enthralling hot hatches and a walk down the memory lane will take each one of us right through the life of these wonderful little beasts. Here is a list of the greatest hatches of all time.
1) VW Golf GTI (Mk1)
Arguably one of the greatest hot hatches of all time due to its colossal impact, arriving early to the scene in 1976. Basically a family hatch with a little sporty DNA, the Golf put the hot hatches on the charts, and became the Pied Piper of its time. Many others imitated the Golf thereby starting the hot hatch trend. Although many say that the GTI is the first of its kind, the Mini Cooper and Alfa Romeo Alfasud were one of the earliest hot hatches to enter the market.2) Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Widely considered to be the first true hot hatch available on the market, it's controls were considered unorthodox at the time (the lights, indicators, horn, wipers and heater fan are all operated by shifting two column stalks) but they're a whole lot of fun now. When it was first shown in 1971 the Alfasud was applauded for its looks, and more than 30 years later it hasn't lost its charm.
3) Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Since the early 80s the hot hatch market saw cars that were largely influenced by Group B rally cars but none had the swag impact compared to the Integrale. Integrating developments from the 1987 rally season, the Detla Integrale was equipped with cutting edge state of the art rally tech that you would have found in rally cars hurtling to victories amidst the wilderness.The Delta HF Integrale not only made strides as an everyday hot hatch but also dominated the rallying world between 1987 and 1992 winning the constructors championship six times in a row.4) Ford Escort XR3i
Another rally inspired hot hatch was the 'Simple and Efficient' Escort. Attempting to live up to the benchmark of the Golf GTI, the Escort forged its own path and went on to become the UK's best selling car of all time, selling 4,000,000 units.
5) Mini Cooper S and JCW
Mini's kind of started the hot hatch trend and it would be wrong if I did not include them on this list. The JCW and the S variants of the Mini were marvelous machines and gained great respect among the cars of its era. The Mini has always been a British icon and its small, convenient design allowed designers and engineers to get what they wanted of these little monsters.
The Verdict
Well this is our list of greatest all timers, there are several cool hot hatches that have stolen our hearts and even souls, like the Renault Clio Alpine,and William, Peugeot 205 GTI, Honda Civic R Type etc...... What are some of your favorites? List them in the comment section......
