19. Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Lancia was always big in rallying. So, after the banning of their Group B model, the S4, they wanted something that could work well on the street and on the track. And that’s how the HF Integrale was born. The main features of this model were the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with, at first, 185 HP, and later up to 220 HP.
Also, it had a permanent and well-balanced all-wheel-drive system. The Delta HF Integrale is an important hot hatch because it was the first with AWD. That marked the beginning of the transition from the front-wheel drive, simple hot hatches, to the high-tech, all-wheel-drive performance monsters of today. The combination of a powerful engine, sharp handling, great traction, and low weight was intoxicating for magazine testers of the day. In fact, the Delta HF Integrale received nothing but praises. Over the years, the Delta HF Integrale proved to be a successful concept, and not only on the rally stages but all over the world.