From the Archives: Toyota Corolla Conquest RSi

While the Golf GTi and Kadett GSi were heading up the hot hatch title fight in South Africa during the late ’80s, Toyota sneaked in a shot of its own with the high-revving Conquest RSi – tested for the February 1987 issue.

Toyota’s Corolla and Avante stablemates may have featured conservative styling but the Conquest RSi made its intentions known with color-coded wheels, chin spoiler, rear wing, red striping and “TWINCAM 16” lettering across the rear doors. Under the bonnet lay a 1,6-litre 16-valve four-cylinder with all of 86 kW and 136 N.m of torque to match the exterior bravado. It didn’t disappoint either, dispatching the 100 km/h from zero sprint in 9,33 seconds and running all the way to 200 km/h.

Don’t miss the January 2013 issue to see how modern hot hatches differ from old-school heroes such as the Opel Superboss and BMW 325iS, on sale December 17.