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Video: The best hot hatches of the 1970s

19th January 2021
Ethan Jupp
The hot hatch is perhaps one of the best-loved genres of car by any and all with even a passing interest in the automobile. A byword for canned performance in a practical and affordable package, we’ve decided to round up the best hot hatches from the breed’s early formative years: the 1970s.

Before the ubiquitous Volkswagen Golf GTI there came the 105mph Super Simca TI that near-on doubled the standard car’s performance. Then came the Lancia Beta HPE and after that, the Renault 5 Alpine. All of those before the Golf came along to truly democratise performance and open the floodgates to a deluge of fast cars aimed at young people and the family-focused. Alfa Romeo, Vauxhall and Talbot weren’t far behind the runaway success that was the GTI. Which is your favourite hot hatch of the 1970s?

Read the full story here: the seven best 1970s hot hatchbacks.

  • Video

  • list

  • Hot Hatch

  • Golf GTI

  • Alfa Romeo

  • Lancia

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