Editing Hot hatch (section)

=== 1960s and 1970s ===
[[File:1979 Volkswagen Golf GTi 1.6 Front.jpg|thumb|alt=A small front-engined car with three doors|1979 [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1#Golf GTI|Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk1)]]]]

The 1961 [[Mini (Mark I)#Cooper and Cooper S|Mini Cooper]] was one of the first performance cars to use a small body and an [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|FF layout]], both key characteristics of a hot hatchback. However, the Mini was not produced in a hatchback body style until 2001 and is therefore not considered a hot hatch.

The first car to meet the criteria of a hot hatch, the [[AMC Gremlin]], was introduced in the United States on April 1, 1970. Promoted as "America's first subcompact",<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arcticboy.com/Pages/arcticboysgremlin.html |last=Wilson |first=Bob |title=1971 ad Gremlin Grembin |website=arcticboy.com |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> it came standard with a 3.3 L straight-six engine with an optional 3.8 L upgrade. By the 1972 model year it was available with a 5 L V-8 engine. The manufacturer described the Gremlin as "a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies," emphasizing its performance and radical design in comparison to other cars in its class. Compared to the Volkswagen Beetle, it was two inches longer, achieved comparable fuel economy, and sold for $1 less in the eastern US, though its base engine delivered 128 horsepower, more than twice that of the German subcompact.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Autos: Shifting Down for the '70s |magazine=Time |date=February 23, 1970 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876653,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081210235305/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876653,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 10, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref>

The first European hot hatch was the [[Autobianchi A112 Abarth]], introduced in September 1971. It was prepared by the motorsports division of the [[Fiat]] Group, at first with a 982 cc engine, obtained by increasing the stroke, coupled to a sporting [[Exhaust system|exhaust]], a twin-choke [[carburetor]], and a different camshaft.

In 1973, the [[Simca 1100]]<ref name="msn.com">{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=3 |access-date=25 December 2018 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref name="topgear.com">{{cite web |date=4 February 2014 |title=History of Hot Hatches in ten cars |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/history-hot-hatches-ten-cars |access-date=25 December 2018 |website=www.topgear.com |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409090119/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/history-hot-hatches-ten-cars |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ti was launched. It had its power increased by 40% to 82&nbsp;hp (61&nbsp;kW), which resulted in a 0 to 60&nbsp;mph (97&nbsp;km/h) time of under 12 seconds and a top speed of 105&nbsp;mph (169&nbsp;km/h). Other upgrades included front [[disc brake]]s, front and rear [[Spoiler (car)|spoilers]] and [[alloy wheel]]s. The [[Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI|Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti]] was launched in the same year. Along with a 5-speed gearbox, it featured a more powerful version of the standard 1.2 litre engine, brought to 68 PS (50&nbsp;kW; 67&nbsp;hp) by adopting a [[Weber carburetor|Weber]] twin-choke carburettor, allowing the small saloon to reach 160&nbsp;km/h (99&nbsp;mph).

The [[Renault 5 Alpine]]<ref name="topgear.com" /><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=6 |website=www.msn.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> (called [[Gordini]] in the United Kingdom), which went on sale in May 1976. It had a top speed of {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0 to 60&nbsp;mph in under 10 seconds.

The car credited with establishing the popularity of hot hatches is the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1|Volkswagen Golf]] GTI,<ref name="topgear.com" /><ref name="roadandtrack.com">{{cite web |title=The Best Hot Hatches |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/g21998848/best-hot-hatches/ |website=www.roadandtrack.com |access-date=25 December 2018 |date=29 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the hot hatch: in pictures |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/history-of-the-hot-hatch-in-pictures/ss-AAatud6?fullscreen=true#image=9 |website=www.msn.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> which was announced at the 1975 [[International Motor Show Germany|Frankfurt Motor Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/260050/birth_of_an_icon_volkswagen_golf_gti_mk1.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=1d9a228ddfbbf1a3300875dcac276eac |title=Evo November 2010 |publisher=Evo.co.uk |date=2010-11-22 |access-date=2011-03-18}}</ref> and released in July 1976.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's the History of the First Hot Hatch: the Volkswagen Golf GTI |url=http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/13251/heres-the-history-of-the-first-hot-hatch-the-volkswagen-golf-gti |website=www.thedrive.com |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> The Golf GTI was originally designated to be sold only in [[West Germany]], but from 1977 Volkswagen began exports of the (left-hand drive only) GTI.<ref name="ateupwithmotor.com">{{cite web |title=Rabbit Rocket: The Volkswagen GTI and the Birth of the Hot Hatch > Ate Up With Motor |url=https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/volkswagen-gti-hot-hatch/ |website=www.ateupwithmotor.com |access-date=25 December 2018 |date=27 June 2009}}</ref> Production of right-hand drive GTI's began in 1979.

The Renault 5 Alpine and Volkswagen Golf GTI, with the addition of a more powerful engine, sharper [[Automobile handling|handling]], distinctive body styling with additional spoilers and alloy wheels, helped create the birth of a huge market for small, practical hatchback cars with performance to match contemporary coupes such as the [[Ford Capri|Ford Capri 2.0]], [[Lancia Beta|Lancia Beta Coupe 2000]] and [[Renault 15 and 17|Renault 17 TS]]. With top speeds above {{convert|110|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, the Alpine and GTI enjoyed a short run of unparalleled sales success until the early 1980s.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

There were two hot hatches created specifically for competition. In 1978, Vauxhall created the [[Vauxhall Chevette#Chevette HS and HSR|Chevette HS and HSR]] by fitting the 2.3 litre [[Vauxhall Slant-4 engine|slant-four]] engine, using a 16-valve cylinder head. Fitted with two Stromberg carburettors the engine developed 135&nbsp;bhp (the HSR developed 150&nbsp;bhp).  In 1979, Chrysler developed the  [[Chrysler Sunbeam|Lotus Sunbeam]] which used the Lotus 1973 cc [[Multi-valve|16V]] [[Straight engine|slant four engine]]. Power output of {{Convert|150|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and a 0-60&nbsp;mph time of 6.6 seconds. Despite being [[rear-wheel drive]], the Sunbeam is considered a hot hatch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lotus Sunbeam driven |url=http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/290731/lotus_sunbeam.html |website=www.evo.co.uk |access-date=15 August 2014|date=August 2013}}</ref>