Renault 1916V: Not quite the original hot hatch, but every bit as desirable in 1990

摘要

These days, when you're talking fashionable hot hatch hardware, it's trick differentials, RevoKnuckles and Brembo brakes that are high on our want lists. Back in 1990, it was 16-valve cylinder heads, trip computers and turbochargers. A set of 16 inverted mushrooms regularly ricocheting under the bonnet, and twin cams to drive them, were what made Renault's hot 19 a thing to covet, especially as it had a chassis to match the power; 140bhp doesn't sound much these days, but then, this 19 weighed only 1050kg as a three-door. It could strike 60mph in under eight seconds and max out at 134mph - pretty good for a 1.8.