Vijay Pattni straps in and takes a ride in one of the most iconic hot-hatches of yesteryear: the Vauxhall Astra GTE.

Remember that really clever kid in your class at school?

You know the one. They always came to school with an inoffensive schoolbag containing all the right kit – and not a single piece more.

Their clothes were perfectly ironed, and presentable, and in class they answered every question perfectly. They scored top marks and teachers loved ‘em.

Now, here at Auto Trader, we like giving cars personalities. And let’s be honest – we all give our cars ‘human’ personalities, from an ‘aggressive face’, ‘muscular proportions’, ‘feminine lines’ all the way down to Alfa Romeo’s ‘temperamental’ mood swings.

Though, we draw the line at kissing the steering wheel…

Gallery: click below to view images of the Vauxhall Astra GTE - and its siblings...

As you’ve probably guessed, this rather intelligent kid we’re referring to is the Mk II Golf GTI. This is the classic ‘Dub hot hatch which was lauded by critics, loved by punters and impressed practically everybody.

But let’s take a walk back into the classroom. Past the Golf GTI sitting at the front of the room, polishing its apple and putting the finishing touches on next month’s homework.

Keep walking right to the back of the class and you’ll find the punk; the rebel. The kid wearing the tie over the head; the kid who leaves drawing pins on seat cushions and is rocking unpredictably back and forth on their chair…

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Vauxhall Astra GTE.

When the Mk II Golf GTI came out, it boasted 110bhp from its 1.8-litre engine. And that was fine.

Until Vauxhall took its humble Astra hatchback, slotted in its most powerful 2-litre 16v engine pushing out 150bhp, and let the fireworks off.

The GTE didn’t just beat the GTI on outright power – it positively spanked it. Even the upgraded 16v Golf couldn’t match the GTE’s power.

This meant the featherweight Astra with the heavyweight punch could sprint from 0-62mph in just 7.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 137mph.

Down at Vauxhall’s HQ in Luton, I drove a mint condition unmolested example of the GTE – and was left astonished.

One thing to bear in mind however is the GTE carried the Mk I Astra’s platform, which meant the chassis really couldn’t cope with that monstrous power.

The steering was a tad unpredictable, for a start. Rocket off the line and the steering wheel jinks left and right as the front wheels contend with 150 horses. You get understeer (when you run wide in a corner) in a bend, and oversteer (when the rear steps out) if you take your foot off mid corner.

But the engine felt absolutely astonishing. The electronic dash was a stark reminder of just how 80s the GTE is, and the outright grunt of the 2-litre lump is intoxicating.

Floor the throttle in any gear and the engine responds with real zest. It feels very elastic and there’s plenty of torque. You almost get the feeling it’s a bit like those Pepperami adverts – it probably enjoys being thrashed to within an inch of its life. Could well explain why the GTE was Britain’s most second stolen motor for a time in the 90s…

Sure, the chassis was a bit suspect, but you’d never tire of the GTE’s power.

And because it’s a bit unruly, because it’s not as refined as the GTI and because it’s a bit – well – rough, we think the GTE is one of the coolest hot hatches of all time.