Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
In the mid-’70s, Volkswagen was getting ready to introduce a whole line of new models, including the Polo, Golf, and Passat as it desperately tried to shed its dull image of the VW Beetle. Their new cars all featured modern design and engineering. They attempted to gain some attention from the motoring world by producing a performance model. So, in 1975, VW presented the GTI version. The Golf GTI featured a three-door hatchback body style, sporty details, and a 1.6-liter fuel-injected four-cylinder engine with 110 to 115 hp (via Top Gear).
With a 0 to 60 time of nine seconds, the GTI was an immediate hit with buyers, especially in the late ’70s when performance levels were very low due to tightening regulations. In America, the VW Golf GTI could outrun mid-spec Camaros or Mustangs, which made it one of the best performance cars you could buy. The popularity of the GTI influenced other manufacturers, who even coined the term “hot hatch.”