Peugeot 205 GTi: Old school hot hatch beats modern pretenders
The 205 GTi's engine pops and splutters, and the bodywork makes those containers they use for take-away curry feel like the sides of a battleship - and the whole thing is just bloody marvellous.
We're going through a golden period of fast hatches at the moment, but somehow the class of 2007 seems to sit at the front, getting all the questions right and sucking up to teacher. Whereas the 205 GTi slouched at the back, flicking Vs at the VW Golf and audibly breaking wind.
Peugeot hot hatches have never been the same since, but nowadays, people want aircon and satnav and a sense that in the event of an accident they won't be sending you home in a bucket. Which is a shame, because it means the GTi 1.9 will never be topped for sheer unruly excitement.