Throughout history, cars have evolved in terms of performance, safety, and technology. Each new generation of vehicles strives to be better than the previous one through continuous, incremental improvement. These changes are particularly highlighted when we look back at the supercars from a few decades ago.
The hot hatch segment has also developed rapidly. For example, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R – the brand’s hottest hatch – can cover 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Not only is that number fast for the segment, but it beats a lot of really iconic supercars. The 1980s brought us a lot of great fast cars, but compared to a modern hatch they stand no chance. Let’s examine the performance of some of these sizes and compare them to the modern VW Golf R.
The Golf R is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter in-line 4 petrol engine developing 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is then transferred to the wheels via VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive. The top speed is 255 mph, buyers looking for that little extra can opt for an optional R-Performance package that raises the limit to 167 mph. This package also includes a specially developed Nürburgring profile that makes it possible to achieve great performances all around the track.
Check out this list for some of the fastest and most impressive Supercar 80s, all of which would suffer a devastating defeat if they competed against an affordable hot hatch like the Golf R.
19th
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa went into production in 1984 and was a flat 12-cylinder sports / GT car. The striking look was designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina and made a significant contribution to the success of the car, which relocated around 10,000 units. One of the most notable design features is the distinctive side air inlet with louvers.
18th
Despite the seemingly large 4.9L 12-cylinder engine, 0-60 was only achieved in a non-Golf R challenge time of 5.2 seconds. However, the engine made more horsepower with 390 hp.
17th
Porsche 944 Turbo
Introduced in 1985, the Turbo was the top version of the Porsche 944. The car was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo engine that developed 220 hp and allowed a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds. In 1988 a Turbo S version was released, which made 250 hp more due to a larger turbocharger.
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The increased power, while shortening the 0-60 time, not enough to overtake the Golf, and got an improved 5.5s. The distinctive design features include pop-up headlights and a black PU rear spoiler.
fifteen
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Aston Martin produced the V8 Vantage between 1977 and 1989. As the name suggests, it had a V8 engine, a 5.3 liter, 380 hp engine. The top speed was 170 mph and 0-60 was reached in 5.2 seconds.
14th
At the time, the V8 Vantage was the fastest 4-seater production car in the world and the UK’s first supercar. The V8 has appeared in two James Bond films, The Living Daylights in 1987 and No Time To Die in 2020.
13th
Porsche 928 S.
A relatively unsung Porsche, the model was produced between 1978 and 1995. In 1985, Porsche introduced the 928 S, which had a 5.0-liter V8 that could accelerate the car from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds. The engine developed 288 horsepower and allowed the car to reach a top speed of 254 mph, just 1 mph slower than the Golf.
12th
The front engine also contributed to its relative unpopularity; Porsche purists did not allow this and preferred the better weight distribution of the 911. As a result, these cars offer good value for money, but prices are rising, so prospective buyers should look.
11th
Delorean DMC-12
A very distinctive and unique car, the Delorean DMC-12 received much of its recognition from its role as the time machine in the films Back to the Future. While the DMC-12 can’t quite reach warp speed in real life, its 2.8-liter V6 develops 130 horsepower and gets the car to a top speed of 0-60 mph in a relatively slow 9.6 seconds 110 miles per hour.
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The unpainted stainless steel body panels and the wing doors give the car its iconic appearance.
BMW produced the M1 E26 between 1978 and 1981. The car was equipped with a 3.5-liter in-line 6-cylinder mid-engine with 274 hp. The M1 was one of the first mid-engine sports cars to be mass-produced. The top speed was 163 mph with a 0-60 time of 5.6 s.
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The original design brief of the M1 was to produce a car that could compete with Porsche in Group 5. A certain number of cars had to be produced for FIA homologation. Since BMW did not have the necessary production facilities, Head of Motorsport Jochen Neerpasch commissioned Lamborghini to do this. Lamborghini could not fulfill this and so the cars were sent to Baur in Germany in partial production.
7th
Lamborghini Countach LP500
The iconic and perhaps brand-defining Lamborghini Countach had an iconic wedge-shaped design. In 1982 the LP500 version was released which upgraded the engine to a 4.8L V12 with 370hp and got the car from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds. The top speed is a super-fast 182 mph.
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The Countach made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, and was enthusiastically received. Unfortunately, shortly after the show, the prototype was destroyed in a crash that delayed development.
5
Lamborghini Jalpa
The Jalpa was produced by Lamborghini between 1981 and 1988. Under the hood was a 3.5L V8 with 255 horsepower that accelerated the car to 60 mph in 6 seconds, with a top speed like the Golf, 155 mph.
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The Jalpa was not a bestseller, just over 400 copies were sold during its production time. It was designed to appeal to a market that can’t afford a Countach, so a V8 has been included in place of a more Lambo-esque V12.
3
Lotus Esprit Turbo
Lotus produced the Esprit Turbo between 1980-1992, which became very popular after appearing in the James Bond films “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only”.
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The car was equipped with a 2.2-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine with a relatively small displacement. Even so, the car was able to go from 0 to 100 mph and to a top speed of 152 mph in about 5.5 seconds.
1
Ferrari 288 GTO
The Ferrari 288 GTO was equipped with a 2.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with 394 hp, with 288 meaning a 2.8-liter V8. The car could reach 60 mph in 4.8 s, with a top speed of 189 mph.
Via: FavCars
The part of the name “GTO”, which stands for Grand Turismo Omologato, is significant. Ferrari produced the car in significant numbers (around 200) in order to homologate it for the Group B FIA racing series. They wanted to return to rallying and initially wanted to redesign the 308 GTB, which, however, was not allowed under FIA regulations.
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About the author
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Benjamin Phipps
(11 articles published)
Benjamin has always been interested in everything to do with automobiles. He is an avid Formula One fanatic and particularly enjoys watching George Russell and Lando Norris rise. He knows best about modern cars, but is learning more and more about classic cars. Currently based north of London.
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