Amarok
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European hot hatches square off to determine who builds the best GTI.
The German translation for “People’s car” emerged as an organisation in the ’30s initially building prototypes of the rear-engined/air-cooled Kdf-Wagen that was envisioned by Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche. But it took a British army officer in post-war Germany to help put it into production as the Type 1 – and help it become a global automotive phenomenon known affectionately as the Beetle. Its 1950 spin-off van, the Type 2, would be equally endearing – and variably known as the Transporter/Kombi/Camper/Microbus – become the vehicle of choice for millions of hippies and backpackers. VW’s ’60s purchase of Auto Union (which included Audi) influenced a move into a new era of front-wheel-drive, water-cooled models – the most famous of which would be the Golf, introduced in 1974 to become an instant and continuous sales hit. A legendary derivative started in 1975 with the GTI hot-hatch. From the ’80s onwards, VW expanded aggressively by consuming multiple brands, including Seat, Skoda, Bentley and Lamborghini.
Read moreDrive's David McCowen and Lucas Kennedy argue the merits of their preferred pocket-rockets.
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$19,990 Drive Away