In the 80s and 90s it was hot hatch all day long as that was the pocket benchmark. Saloon hot versions were aimed at families and 30 somethings. The market for hot hatches were aimed at youngsters with alot of disposable income.
When it came to rallying they preferred hatches due to the space inside for accessing parts, moving trans and engines around and the fact they were shorter hence when going sideways through a tight forest there was less chance the arse kicking ripped off.
Saloons in racing are used as the arse can take a beating due to teh rubbing going on and still compete as by the end of the race it'll look like a hatch! Therefore the rear internal structure makes it stiffer, the boot is a crush zone. If a hatch took a rear end then the roof would probably creae as well if hit hard, then again a saloon would not fair much better if hit hard! Anyone remember Sopers BMW when he took out Cleland? That was more like a Compact when it finally stopped!
