Would it be fair to say that in South Africa, the Conquest RSi was a more revered and respected car than the iconic Supra? We seem to think so. Thirty-two years ago, Opel and Volkswagen were so feverishly battling for ‘hot-hatch’ supremacy, that they totally missed this little beaut coming in and eclipsing both of them!
In 1986, Toyota SA launched their rather special Conquest RSi. The angular Conquest RSi formed the third part of Toyota's high-performance 1600 Corolla trio in the form of the Conquest RSi, the Avante GLi, and the Sprinter GLi. Surprisingly, the Conquest RSi which carried a sticker price of R21 390, weighed the most out of all the ‘performance’ Corollas, apparently because of its large and strongly constructed rear hatch.
The generously-specced Conquest RSi was subtly different from the cooking Conquests, with brilliant sport seats up front, a leather-wrapped sport steering, a leather shifter, as well as minute tweaks to the front and rear bumpers to aid performance. Famously quicker on the street than both the larger engined Golf GTI 1.8 8V and the Kadett GSI 1.8 8V, the little RSi was powered by Toyota's 4A-GE 1.6-litre 16V motor which produced an admirable 86kw and 136nm, and redlined at a screaming 7600rpm!
The 970kg Conquest went on to run the benchmark 0-100kph sprint in 9.33 secs, and had a GSi beating top speed of 200kph. Those that were fortunate enough to experience it, proclaimed it a true 'point and squirt machine with prodigious capabilities'.
Blessed with a precise steering, a brilliantly firm chassis and independent suspension all round, it went on to become a racing and rally icon, with one such highlight being the gruelling Castrol 6-hour Endurance race at Killarney International Raceway, where the team of Mike White and Serge Damseaux beat Sarel van der Merwe’s GTI Golf, various GSI Kadett’s, BMW 528i's and Alfa GTV6’s to the checkered flag, ensuring that Toyota won the Dealers Championship for Group N racing that year.
And over the last three decades, it has become a modifiers dream, with the 4A-GE proving capable of massive amounts of power. Sure, some swap it out in favour of the high-revving 20-valve 4A-GE, but the regular 16V 4A-GE has even more potential. It’s hard to believe that the Conquest RSi is 32 years old, yet even today, in a world of turbocharged hatchbacks, it might not be able to keep up in a drag race, but it will sure turn heads. After all, who wouldn't respect one of the most legendary Toyota's ever made.
Also worth a look: the Toyota Everest and the Toyota Corolla Cross: Still King of the Crossover Castle?.
FAQ
Q: What does the Toyota Conquest RSi cost in South Africa today?
A decent Toyota Conquest RSi will set you back between R45,000 and R85,000 depending on condition, with mint examples commanding up to R120,000 from collectors who know what they're after.
Q: Is the Toyota Conquest RSi worth buying as an investment?
Absolutely, the Conquest RSi is one of South Africa's most undervalued performance classics, with clean examples appreciating faster than a Golf GTI climbing Magaliesberg, making it a brilliant buy at current prices.
Q: How fast is the Toyota Conquest RSi compared to modern cars?
The RSi's 9.33-second 0-100kph time and 200kph top speed might seem modest today, but its razor-sharp handling and 7600rpm screaming 4A-GE engine deliver thrills that most modern hot hatches simply can't match.
Q: What should I look for when buying a Toyota Conquest RSi?
Check for rust around the rear hatch and wheel arches, ensure the 4A-GE engine hasn't been thrashed beyond belief, and verify those brilliant sport seats and leather steering wheel are still intact, as replacements cost more than a Hilux bakkie service.
Q: Is the Toyota Conquest RSi reliable as a daily driver?
The RSi makes a surprisingly solid daily driver thanks to Toyota's legendary reliability, though finding parts for the 32-year-old performance bits can be trickier than explaining cricket rules to an American tourist.
Should You Buy It?
The best affordable South African performance icon under R100,000 is absolutely the Toyota Conquest RSi, and you'd be mad not to grab one while they're still reasonably priced. At R45,000 to R85,000 for a good example, you're getting a proper piece of SA motoring history that embarrassed Golf GTIs and Kadett GSIs back in the day, and still puts a massive grin on your face today. Yes, buy it now before the collectors wake up and double the prices, because this little screamer deserves a spot in every enthusiast's garage alongside the boerewors and Castle Lagers.
