Friday 27th October 2006

Golf GTI gets more power

Limited edition marks hot hatch's 30th birthday

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VW's launching the most powerful production Golf GTI to mark the 30th anniversary of the original hot hatch -- the Mk1 Golf GTI.

This limited edition houses an uprated version of the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder T-FSI engine fitted to the standard GTI. The result is 227bhp -- a useful rise of 30bhp over the standard car. This is mated to a choice of six-speed manual or sequential DSG gearboxes channelling drive through the front wheels.

The new Golf GTI Edition 30 will sprint to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds (6.6 secs when equipped with DSG) -- that's 0.1 seconds faster than the standard machine -- before reaching a maximum of 150 mph.

It also gets new body-coloured side skirts paired with a new chin spoiler for the front bumper and a body-coloured rear bumper and a set of 18-inch ‘Pescara’ alloy wheels. A GTI badge sits on the bootlid below tinted rear lights.

Inside, the GTI Edition 30 benefits from unique sports seats finished in ‘Interlagos’ cloth trim and completed with leather side bolsters and headrest. The distinctive golf ball gear knob -- like that in the Mk1 GTI -- also returns. Silver sill plates featuring a unique ‘Edition 30’ logo are joined by the sculpted leather GTI steering wheel complete with red stitching.

Equipment levels for the Edition 30, as on the standard GTI, are high, with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), six airbags, radio/CD player, 2Zone electronic climate control and twin chrome exhaust tailpipes.

Just 1,500 examples of the GTI Edition 30 will be available from early January with a range of six paint colours. Prices for the anniversary model start at just over £22,000 for the three-door model, with a £1,330 premium for the DSG-equipped car. The GTI Edition 30 is also available with five doors for an additional £500.

The original

The right hand drive Mk1 Golf GTI – developing a modest 112 bhp – went on sale in the UK in 1977. At the time Leo Sayer was at number one, Star Wars gripped a generation of kids, Concorde was about to take flight for the first time and Volkswagen’s new GTI cost £5,217.

The Golf GTI, with its mix of a low kerb weight and a fast-revving four-cylinder engine, sharpened suspension and subtly aggressive looks, became an instant hit. By the time the Mk1 GTI was phased out in 1984 over 19,500 examples had been sold in the UK.

[L100NYY]

The new Golf GTI Edition 30 will sprint to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds (6.6 secs when equipped with DSG) -- that's 0.1 seconds faster than the standard machine -- before reaching a maximum of 150 mph.


Certainly won't be buying it for the performance gains!

Edited by L100NYY on Friday 27th October 10:24

[The_Gza]

I like it - kit is quite subtle but improves the looks of the GTI. Wonder why they decided against a Diesel version this time around?

A £2k premium is positively generous from VW too

[bales]

Bet 30bhp will make it feel a lot quicker everywhere else though where it counts I suppose. Thing is for the sake of new wheels you can get a morego conversion on the standard gti that takes the power up to about 270bhp that costs a lot less.

[adycav]

The_Gza said:

A £2k premium is positively generous from VW too

Aah, but is it worth up to £4500 more than a Focus ST for an extra 2 bhp?

[sapd]

I wondered why there was non-body-coloured trim on the standard GTI... now I know.

[Hostyle]

Is it just me, or doe does wheels look photoshopped in? Somehow their reflection does not look real.

Grtz

Erik

[smele]

Hostyle said:

Is it just me, or doe does wheels look photoshopped in? Somehow their reflection does not look real.

Grtz

Erik

Looks like the light is from a different source for the wheels, than for the car. Does look photoshoped to me as well.

[E38]

^ Yeah looks shopped.

Like the interior

[scoobiewrx]

Those seats look awful, whats with the tartan?

[mafioso]

I believe the tartan is going back to the original GTi and I think it looks quite good against all the modern looks inside!

[davevag]

mafioso said:

I believe the tartan is going back to the original GTi and I think it looks quite good against all the modern looks inside!

Agree, I actually prefer the tartan trim to the leather

[bryan35]

chip the PD150 diesel, that's what I've done to mine. More torque than a ferrari 360 (new clutch already), not stands at a rated 182BHP but rolling road test on same car put it at almost 200BHP.

Quite funny really, like a double bluff.
It has a GTI badge, so people in GOLF TDI's think it's a petrol.
the PD150 however has a GTI badge and not a TDI badge.
Being chipped it makes it pretty brisk, and when booted covers the car behind in thick soot.

all fun!

[GTEYE]

It would have looked much better had they fitted the black wheels that were fitted to the Concept version.

I'll happily stick with mine - £17k brand new from Motorpoint - can't see £22k is worthwhile for this one! Like the part cloth/leather seats though!

[pbirkett]

bryan35 said:

chip the PD150 diesel, that's what I've done to mine. More torque than a ferrari 360 (new clutch already), not stands at a rated 182BHP but rolling road test on same car put it at almost 200BHP.

Quite funny really, like a double bluff.
It has a GTI badge, so people in GOLF TDI's think it's a petrol.
the PD150 however has a GTI badge and not a TDI badge.
Being chipped it makes it pretty brisk, and when booted covers the car behind in thick soot.

all fun!

Theres always one who has to add a comment about a DERV

[pistolp]

i agree about the concept wheels, they were lovely! might have bought one on the strength of those alone!

[AndyWoodall]

Big fan of the standard car, and this is pretty good too. Like the wheels, but I think on the whole I prefer the 18inch Monza 2's.

[jvaughan]

pbirkett said:

bryan35 said:

chip the PD150 diesel, that's what I've done to mine. More torque than a ferrari 360 (new clutch already), not stands at a rated 182BHP but rolling road test on same car put it at almost 200BHP.

Quite funny really, like a double bluff.
It has a GTI badge, so people in GOLF TDI's think it's a petrol.
the PD150 however has a GTI badge and not a TDI badge.
Being chipped it makes it pretty brisk, and when booted covers the car behind in thick soot.

all fun!

Theres always one who has to add a comment about a DERV

Mine is 176bhp ( chipped 130 ), with No Badges

Quite like the wheels on the new golf though. Very smart.

Edited by jvaughan on Friday 27th October 13:34

[wab172uk]

Wheels look awfull.

Would rather have the standard cars alloys. Still wouldn't buy one mind, as I'd rather have the Focus ST.

[mackie1]

Whaaat?
BBS CHs are really nice! Just not when photoshopped on upside down so you eyes go "aaaaah".

[waddler]

Just popped down a deposit for a 30th Edition GTI. I take the point on value versus the ST but to be honest i couldn't tell the difference in performance for the ST and a standard Golf GTI. Plus the ST I drove rattled and creaked like Barry Sheene's knees. The Golf build quality was on another level. I prefer the ST looks vs the standard Golf GTI so hopefully this one balances this up.

Come resale too you get a big chunk of the delta back anyway.

Any idea how VW will get the extra 30bhp? It it just a remap or will they make harware changes. If they do then may be a standard remap will get to 270???