It's a classic: Renault GTA
Now here's a proper lairy hatchback, one of the lairiest of all time, in fact. The Renault GTA was France's answer to the Porsche 911, with a rear-mounted, 2.5-litre V6 engine and rear-wheel drive giving it famously tail-happy handling but, in the right hands, supercar-rivalling performance.
The GTA, later updated as the A610, was built by Matra in Dieppe and this radical, plastic-bodied four-seater was something of a bargain compared to the Porsche and other rivals like the Lotus Esprit. Though less powerful than the Mégane Renaultsport, its 165mph top speed and 5.7-second time to 60mph were matched by few cars.
But the GTA was always an odd choice and, though popular in France, its badge, buyers' prejudice against plastic-bodied cars and widow-maker reputation, meant few were sold in the UK during its seven-year production. Today, they are a bargain second-hand - just check carefully for accident damage.
Thanks to Phildini for the heads up