The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most iconic hot hatchbacks in existence as it has been around for as many as some of the world’s most popular brands. It is a car that combines the benefits of the regular Golf, which is one of the best all-arounder cars ever, with a high-horsepower engine, sporty styling, sporty suspension, and a more direct and exciting steering system.
In this article, we are going to mention some of the more surprising facts about VW Golf GTI which will serve you well if you are in the market for one. Many people aren’t even aware of these which is why this article is going to leave you with something you didn’t know before. So, if you want to find out more about the VW Golf GTI, be sure to read this article!
It’s all About a 4-Cylinder Engine
The first VW Golf Mk1 GTI came out in 1976 which makes the GTI one of the oldest-running performance cars ever. The 1st generation of the GTI, and every generation that came after it, is equipped with a 4-pot engine which means that the overall recipe for the GTI has stayed the same since the 1970s. This makes it really impressive as you can see how VWs 4-cylinder engines developed over time.
The first GTI has 110hp while the very latest Mk8 GTI has 245hp. Even though the 182kph maximum speed of the Mk1 GTI is impressive for the 1970s, the Mk8 GTI can do more than 254kph.
It was Supposed to be a Limited-Edition Car
Initially, VW wanted to sell 5,000 GTI models and they were even scared that they will never be able to sell more than 500 of these. Fast forward to mid-2020, VW came out and said that they managed to sell more than 2.3 million VW Golf GTI models since its inception.
This only makes it obvious how interested people actually are in the GTI, but VW thought that that is not going to be the case.
A Golf GTI Cabriolet Exists
The Mk6 Golf GTI was a straight success for VW as it introduced a more luxurious and more comfortable version of the Golf, but it also introduced a VW Golf GTI convertible. The Golf Mk6 cabriolet was the fastest VW convertible car in its era which is indeed impressive.
It’s fair to say that interest in a cabriolet hot hatchback has never been strong which is why VW discontinued the GTI Convertible, and as of now, it is likely never going to bring it back.
A mid-mounted W12 Golf GTI
Yup, you read that right, a W12 VW Golf GTI. Back in 2007, VW came out with arguably its craziest concept car to ever come out. The Austrian festival called Worthersee was the place where VW came out with a mid-mounted Mk6 W12-powered Golf GTI with 650 horsepower. This engine was sourced from the Bentley Continental GT.
The W12 GTI is a Frankenstein monster which means that it features front brakes from an Audi RS4, rear brakes from a Lamborghini Gallardo, and an engine from a Bentley. VW made the W12 Golf in just six weeks, and the car remains the most ludicrous version of the Golf to ever be created.
It’s a Perfect Blend of Performance and Comfort
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a car that can do everything which means that it can reach silly speeds in a short time period while also being immensely comfortable. There is really nothing else out there as the VW Golf GTI, especially when you consider how cheap it is to run this car and how capable it actually is.
The new Golf GTI can tackle a few supercars when it comes to 0-60mph times, but it can also keep you nice and comfortable for the longest.
The Design
We are also going to mention the special design touches that come with the VW Golf. Since the very first VW Golf, VW has kept stuff such as checkered seats which are only available for the GTI and have been available with every iteration of the GTI to ever come out.
The Golf-ball transmission lever is also a VW Golf specialty while the latest few generations of the Golf GTI also have red details in their headlights. Lastly, every time a new GTI comes out, VW follows it up with a special one-of-a-kind wheel design specifically reserved for the GTI.
FAQ Section
What is Good About the VW Golf GTI?
There are many things that are amazing about the VW Golf GTI, and no other is as special as its 4-pot engine with 245hp. The GTI is a FWD car and can be had with either a manual or an automatic transmission. This makes the GTI a true driver’s car which is why it is so beloved by so many generations and why it is likely to remain for as long as possible.
The GTI is also a really comfortable car with lots of space in every row and the trunk. It gets a perfect blend of the most modern technology and comfort features without being overly comfortable, or overly sporty. It is perfectly balanced between being a great daily driver and a fun weekend canyon carver.
What is Bad About the VW Golf GTI?
Some older generations of the VW Golf GTI are known to be a bit tricky to drive and fairly twitchy which is why many people deem these cars unsafe. That is, of course, a complete lie, but it is true that the GTI can become tricky if you aren’t aware of how to drive a high-horsepower front-wheel-drive car, especially if you aren’t too familiar with the manual gearbox.
The Golf GTI isn’t expensive for those who love performance cars, but the GTI is quite a bit more expensive than a normal Golf, something non-performance enthusiasts are likely to never accept. Lastly, we also need to talk about resale value as the GTI is known to lose value quicker than a normal Golf model.
