The iconic Peugeot 205 GTi has been named the greatest hot hatch of all time following a public vote.
The top ten result of the global poll was announced recently at the Performance Car Show, which is part of Autosport International – a racing car show which is currently being hosted in Birmingham.
Triumphant Peugeot
By topping the poll, the Peugeot 205 GTi managed to fend off other classic hot hatch models including the Lancia Delta HF Integrale, which came second, and the Ford Escort RS Cosworth which placed third.
First revealed back in 1984, the Peugeot 205 GTi was initially launched with a 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine before a 130bhp 1.9-litre unit was added in 1986.
Over time, opinion has been split among 205 GTi fans as to which engine offers the best driving experience. Ultimately it is the 1.6-litre version of the Peugeot which has topped the Performance Car Show poll.
Weighing less than 900kg and boasting an attractive amount of power for the time, the 205 GTi 1.6 quickly built a reputation for being a very agile and entertaining car to drive. To this day, the Peugeot is still held up as not just one of the earliest examples of a true hot hatch, but also one of the best, as evidenced by this recent vote.
Peugeot’s current entry in the small hot hatch market is the 208 GTi, which starts from £19,145.
Poll results
The top ten greatest hot hatches of all time according to the Performance Car Show poll are as follows:
1. Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6
2. Lancia Delta HF Integrale
3. Ford Escort RS Cosworth
4. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
5. Renault Clio Williams
6. Renault Clio 182 Trophy
7. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2
8. Renault 5 GT Turbo
9. Ford Focus RS Mk1
10. Talbot Lotus Sunbeam
