The VW Gof GTi is the iconic hot hatch. But let us not forget the others. of the same era approximately. I drove all of them in the UK and then bought first a Corolla GT twin cam 16 valve AE86 and then a 205 GTi 1.9.
The AE 86 on a standard exhaust had a note to die for. I remember going through tunnels and roads with hedgerows and walls on both sides with the windows down and the sunroof open. The 205 GTi on the other hand was FQ and steerable on the throttle something that one could never do with the Golf which always seemd too staid for me.
But great car nonetheless........ I always liked the Scirocco and the Corrado more
Later.............. let the debate begin.