Golf GTI Edition 35 – celebrating 35 years of Golf GTI

by autoindustrie | November 18, 2011 9:25 am

• VW (Europe) celebrates 35th anniversary of Golf GTI with Edition 35.
• Power up by 25 PS, now developing a total of 235 PS.
• Most powerful production Golf GTI to date.
• New front bumper.
• 18″ alloy wheels.
• “Golf ball” gear knob.
• ’35′ signature throughout interior trim and seats

The Golf GTI is often credited as the first hot hatch, but the truth is rather grey. If you would consider a Mini Cooper a hatchback (the boot isn’t exactly a “hatch” in a conventional sense, as the rear glass doesn’t lift, but it is still a two-box body type), then the Mini is the original hot hatch. Even if one doesn’t choose to classify the Mini as a hatchback (so then what is is?), the Renault 5 Gordini was launched a few months earlier than the Golf GTI, followed later by the rally winning and mental nut case of a car; the Gordini Turbo.

But in the same way Thomas Edison is often wrongly credited for the progress of electricity (rather than Nikola Tesla), history will remember the Golf GTI as the original hot hatch, probably because the Golf left a far more lasting impact than the Renault 5, also known as “Le Car” in some markets.

Success rarely happen by chance. But in the case of the Golf GTI it is. Back in 1975, the bosses at Wolfsburg never planned for the GTI to be a permanent fixture in its product lineup. VW was struggling to come out with a product to replace its one-time ultra successful but now lagging VW Beetle. The Golf is to be the car and the GTI was meant to be a limited run “halo-car,” with a planned production run of just 5,000 cars and only in left-hand drive form because VW bosses were not convinced of any demand for the GTI. In fact, it was rumoured that they reluctantly agreed to build the car. Of course, the rest is history as we know it today. 6 generations of Golf GTI to date, over 1.7 million units sold worldwide.

The GTI became a permanent variant of the Golf line-up in 1976, hence the 35th anniversary campaign. By 1979, right hand drive models were built for markets like the UK. So to mark the 35th anniversary of the Golf GTI, VW is launching a special edition Golf GTI Edition 35 for European markets (only)

Unlike many other “limited edition or special edition” models in the market, VW didn’t just slap on some accessories and bump up the sticker price. The Golf GTI Edition 35 is given a power hike of 25 PS more, making its 235 PS output now the most powerful ever in a production Golf GTI. A new front bumper, new 18 inch alloy wheel design and a ‘35’ badge at the side front wings complete the exterior make over. Inside, the iconic golf ball gearknob first seen in the Mk 1 model makes a return, while sill plates and seats gets ‘35’ signature.

6 generations of Golf GTI.
The Mk 1 GTI
Early models had 1.6-liter Bosch fuel injected engine but by 1982 this was replaced with a 1.8-liter unit.

Mk 2 GTI
Early models continued with the Mk 1′s 8-valve 1.8-liter engine, but later models had a 16-valve version.

A scan of Cars Today, April 1984 review on the Mk 2 GTI, courtesy of VW UK.

Mk 3 GTI
Now with 2.0-liter engine.

Mk 4 GTI
Critics will remember this as the least loved of all GTI generations. While it may have lost quite a bit of the GTI character, it is however still a very refined car, albeit a tad too grown up for the GTI crowd’s liking. Well built and comfortable? Yes. Handling dynamics? Meh. Turbocharging made its first dedubt in a GTI during this generation.

Mk 5 GTI
The renaissance of the GTI brand. Twin-charged TSI engine mated to a ultra quick and precise shifting DSG gearbox made it the boy racer’s favourite.

A 5-door option is also available.


Mk 6 GTI

The current model.

Mk 7 GTI.
Due by 2013. More info here[1].

Source URL: http://www.motorindustry.org/2011/11/18/golf-gti-edition-35-history/

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