EVERY 80s Hot Hatch Icon: DRAG RACE

carwow December 27, 2025
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carwow

@carwow

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I'm Mat Watson, and you're watching Carwow. Whether you're after in-depth advice on your next new car or simply want to watch the most exciting drag races on YouTube you'll find it all right here on the world's best car channel. And for everything else - from comprehensive reviews, real car prices or advice you can trust - head over to Carwow. This IS how car-changing should feel.

Video Description

Get 20% off Car Vertical using code Carwow: https://bit.ly/Carwow-Car-Vertical We’ve got our hands on a bunch of 1980’s hot hatches! Let’s start with the Mk2 Ford Fiesta XR2. It has a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder that produces 97hp and 132nm of torque. Power is sent the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and it weighs in at just 839kg. Today it’s worth around £12,000. Then we have the Mk1 Golf GTI. It's powered by a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder that produces 112hp and 150Nm of torque. This power is sent to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual, and the car weighs in at just 840kg. In today’s market it’s worth around £16,000. Next we have the Mk1 Vauxhall Astra GTE. It has a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder that produces 117hp and 150nm of torque. That power goes to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and it weighs in at 925kg. Being a rare car it’s worth around £25,000 in today's market. Moving on we have the Mk2 VW Golf GTI 16v. It has a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder with 139hp and 168nm of torque. That power goes to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and it weighs 960kg. In today's market it’s worth around £20,000. Up next is the Peugeot 205 GTI. In stock form, it has a 1.9-litre 4-cylinder engine with 130hp and 161nm of torque. But this one is different as it has the MI16 2.0-litre engine and the 6-speed manual gearbox out a 306. It now produces around 200hp so it should destroy the Astra GTE that it’s up against. Now we have our first turbocharged car of the line-up. The Renault 5 GT Turbo. It comes with a 1.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 125hp and 165nm of torque in stock form. However, like the Peugeot, this has been tuned to make 160hp. That power goes to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox and it weighs in at 850kg. Today this car costs around £20,000. Finally, we have another Mk2 VW Golf GTI, but this one is different because as it has the 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine out of a Mk4 Golf GTI and not only that, it’s been fitted with the turbocharger from an Audi RS4 and has methanol injection as well as various other supporting modifications. All those changes means it now has 314hp and 427nm of torque. That power goes to the front wheels alone via a limited-slip differential. The real question though, is can it put that power down? Stay with Mat to find out! LET’S RACE! Change your car with Carwow: https://bit.ly/Change-Your-Car-2012 Thanks to everyone who helped set up this race: - https://www.instagram.com/velocityclubuk/ - http://instagram.com/inthefastlayn - https://www.instagram.com/iwanrunner - https://www.instagram.com/jeepgeekery

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