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Five GTIs as fun as they were from the eighties

We will start by saying, first of all, that not all of them are here, but they are all who are. You may miss some of them, but our five "chosen ones" are a guarantee of fun.

Making lists is always somewhat controversial as long as someone is going to be left out. Even more so when we talk about a type of car that, at least for our taste, has such an overwhelming personality that it makes you want to have all those who came out responding to its initials: GTI.

Three letters that had their period of splendor in the same decade in which some of the most exciting supercars in history appeared: the 80s. Anyway, nothing is accidental, right? And, although neither for performance nor for price these GTIs can be assimilated to the great Ferrari or Lamborghini of the time ... The truth is that they put within everyone's reach a wild touch of rugged sportsmanship within an accessible range such as that of the compact.

This mix of compact utility and austere sports car made the 'XNUMXs GTIs an object of desire for any neighborhood kid. Suddenly, those simple popular-range cars became veritable beasts in their GTI setups; GT Gran Turismo and the I… Electronic injection. The mechanical advance that replaced carburetion, adding a greater point of mechanical complexity but also a substantial advance in performance and contamination.

A mechanical advance that, although today is the majority, at that time defined these compact sports cars that although in the 70s they had already had suggestive "Parents", And in the full 90"offspring”, They lived their decade of splendor in the 80s. Lightweight, with really good performance and above all ... Very fun. Shall we take a spin on 5 of these small but very tough sports cars?

GTI 80s all 5
This little boy is one of our favorites. Source: Peugeot.

LIONS SOUL. PEUGEOT 205 GTI

Launched on the market in 1983, this little GTI is one of the most successful models in Peugeot's history. And it is that it has a very defining character of what a good GTI has to be. Why? Well, first of all because of his behavior. Its only 904 kilos are mounted on a chassis celebrated for its stability, with which it is really nice to link one corner and another without having to be an expert rally driver.

Although if you are ... Better than better. After all, the 205 was not a little successful in this sporting specialty. In fact, his preparation "rally”With a 1,3-liter engine and carburettor, it was the starting point for many amateur drivers wanting to contest their first trophies. But let's get back to GTI preparation; equipped in its first version with a 1-liter engine that after a few years evolved to 1.9, capable of delivering 130 CV thanks to its Bosch injectors.

GTI 80s all 5
Rally soul. Source: Peugeot.

All a pearl of power that, combined with the good behavior of the car, its short gears, its 15-inch wheels and its somewhat nervous character… They make the Peugeot 205 GTI a perfect representative of this type of car "small but bullies".

ITALIAN NERVE. FIAT UNO TURBO ie

Nerve, a lot of nerve ... And the thing is that in this little Italian a turbo and electronic injection come together. Something unusual at the time, which made this utility launched in 1985 with a 1.300 cc 105 hp engine one of the most vibrant compact sports cars of the decade. And not only because of its engine ... A fast steering and good brakes provide good behavior seated in four gas shocks.

In addition, aesthetically it meets the characteristics of the GTI very well: they are not very different from the less sporty models, but eighties details such as the small spoilers on the tailgate, their wheels more "gross”And the stickers so much to the taste of the time… They make a difference. Difference that was also marked in consumption and price, marking a really competitive expense sheet.

GTI 80s all 5
Pure Italian nerve. Source: FIAT.

For all these reasons, the model was well accepted, FIAT repeating the move when in 1989 it launched a new version of this small sports car by presenting the first reinterpretation of the model. A complete success.

KADETT GSI. THE KING OF THE BLOCK

If we talk about horses ... There is a model in this type of vehicle that takes the cake. 156 hp! That's what the Kadett GSI 16 valve declared. It's not bad at all... Especially if you think that, even though it's a sports version, it's still the sports version of the Kadett. Yes, that correct, simple, cheap Opel... A bit bland to tell the truth, but in its sports version it radically changed its face to become this real bullet.

The truth is that the Kadett GSI engine was a true prodigy for a car like this. An atmospheric four-cylinder with a reputation for delivering its power with great elasticity. As powerful and harmonious as a classical music symphony. Such a good engine… Which was paradoxically the downfall of this car.

And, while the engine was high-flying, the chassis did not prove to be up to the task. Nor were too narrow rims, brakes that gave way to fatigue earlier than desirable, and excessively soft suspensions. In short, an engine with too much punch for such a discreet frame. However, despite these problems ... The Kadett GSI remains one of the most powerful GTIs of the time. And the thing is ... Anyway, a good engine is a good engine.

A JAPANESE AMONG EUROPEANS. SUZUKI SWIFT GTI

By now, you may have realized that this GTI thing is a very European thing. However, there is a very interesting Japanese in the middle of all this. Its about Suzuki Swift GTI. A little boy launched in 1986 and was only made in three colors: red, white or black. What else for? At the end of the day, this model perfectly fulfills that of "good mechanics and nothing more".

Although, wow, aside from his 1,3 liter engine with 4 cylinders, 16 valves and 101 HP… The truth is that this utility vehicle has a good aerodynamic coefficient set at 0 and only 32 kilos of weight. In short, a weight / power ratio capable of delighting any driver who wants to enjoy the benefits of sporty and winding driving at a reasonable price. Pure fun, isn't that the essence of a good GTI?

AND IF. WE HAD NOT FORGOTTEN. GOLF GTI II

Anyway ... How not to put it on any list if it is the GTI par excellence! And it is that, ok ... For tastes the colors, it is clear that each one will have their favorite model. However, objectively, it is clear that the Golf GTI laid the foundations of what the cars defined by these acronyms should be. Although, to be precise ... We had to wait for the second generation of the model for Volkswagen to completely hit the mark.

While the Suzuki surprises by the weight or the Kadett by the power of its engine, the Golf has nothing in which it really stands out. But precisely there it has its virtue: in its enormous balance. It is robust, safe, comfortable, economical in its consumption, reliable ... And also its 1,8-liter 112 hp engine guarantees plenty of fun power for a car that touches the ton.

Although everyone can have their opinion, it is practically indisputable that This was the model that clearly marked what a GTI was: a simple, popular, practical utility... But with an electronic injection and a good series of sports settings it became a car as agile and powerful as it was fun.

What do you think?

1 Sweaters, Jerseys and Cardigans
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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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