The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk VII — The One that completes 40 Years of GTI
The GTI-version of the Mark 7 Golf (which started production in March 2013) can be identified by different bumpers with a sharper design and a larger main intake, a horizontal red line in the grille that continues in the headlights, two chrome exhaust tips, LED rear lights, a silver GTI-badge in thef front grille and one on the rear, as well as 17-inch wheels.The car is powered by a turbocharged 1984ccm inline-4 16-valve engine based off the predecessor’s engine, coded “CHHB”.The engine produces 162kw at 4.500 to 6.200rpm and 350nm at 1.500 to 4.400rpm.That made it the most powerful GTI of all times.The engine is mounted to the same gearboxes the predecessor could be ordered with, though with a slightly changed gearing.That allows the 1.351kg-heavy GTI to reach 100kph in 6,5 seconds, with the top-speed being 246kph (244 with the DSG-gearbox).Just like the normal Mark 7 Golf the GTI came standard with a Start-Stopp-System and a brake-energy recovery-system.
Volkswagen Golf V с двигателем 2.0 TFSI (200 и 230 л.с.)
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk V — The Return of the classic GTI
The Golf GTI went back to a model customers could chose rather than an equipment-line with the Mark 5 Golf GTI that debuted in the fall of 2004.It can be recognized by a honeycomb-grille, a red frame around the grille, black sills, 17-inch BBS wheels (with an 18-inch version being optional) and silver GTI-badges in the grille and on the tailgate.The interior got fabric seats with a pattern that strongly resembled the tartan-pattern of the Mark 1 GTI, aluminium inserts in the dashboard and doors and a different speedometer.The GTI was powered by a turbocharged 1984ccm inline-4 16-valve DOHC-engine that delivered 147kw at 5.100-6.000rpm and 280nm at 1800-5.000rpm to the front wheels, either through a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional 6-speed double-clutch gearbox (DSG-gearbox).With a manual gearbox the car reached 100kph in 7,2 seconds and ran a top speed of 235kph, while the DSG-gearbox shortened the sprint to 6,9 seconds in exchange for loosing 2kph of top speed.The GTI was made from September 2005 to June 2008, before being replaced with its successor that started production after an eight months long break in March 2009.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk VII Clubsport S — The GTI goes Racecar
In the fall of 2016 Volkswagen presented the “Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI Clubsport S”, a car that many consider to be the Mark 7’s “final edition”.The Clubsport S comes on 19-inch “Pretoria”-wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2-tires.The car can be further identified by “Clubsport S”-decals on the sides and a black roof, as well as more prominent aero-parts.Inside the car the driver and front passenger sit in Recaro bucket seats, with the rear seats and even the center armrest for the front seats having been removed.A strut-brace in place of the rear seats provides some extra-stiffness, while reduced insulation and the removed air-condition save weight.The Clubsport S is powered by a 1.984ccm engine based off the one in the normal GTI (now coded CJXE).With a changed intake and exhaust and a reprogrammed ECU it now produces 288kw at 5.300-6.600rpm and 380nm at 1.700-5.300rpm, with the power flowing through a 6-speed manual gearbox with a shorter throw that the stock GTI’s gearbox, with no DSG-gearbox being available.Despite having shed 30kg the car still weights 1.360kg, mainly due to reinforcements and larger brakes.It also has a modified suspension that lowers the car and increases negative camber at all four wheels to fight understeer, helped by an electronic locking differential in the front.At last, the driver can select a “Nordschleife Setting” to adapt engine-response, power-steering and the dampers for driving on the legendary racetrack.The Clubsport S can reach 100kph in 5,8 seconds and runs an unrestricted 265kph.Shortly after the car was unveiled Volkswagen used a Clubsport S (according to them without any changes from the stock version) to drive a lap of the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 49,21 seconds, taking the title of the fastest hatchback from the Honda Civic Type R which was 1,42 seconds slower.The Clubsport S is limited to 400 units (100 of which for Germany), plus a 401st car (numbered 000) remaining with Volkswagen, selling for at least 40.000 Euros.Despite the high price all 400 were ordered within 24 hours of the presentation.
All data and information researched to the best of my knowledge, if I made a mistake please let me know.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2
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The Mk2 also feels like a relic in most respects, although the signs of evolutionary improvement become instantly apparent the moment you climb inside. It feels notably bigger and more spacious in here and, as our cars became larger and more luxurious inside when the Mk2 was on sale between 1984-1992, this extra space was deemed an absolute necessity by the market.
The Mk2 got power steering and, eventually, a pokier, more energetic 16v engine in 1986, while in 1989 it got distinctive new and bigger bumpers front and rear. In 1990 the GTI also passed one million sales globally. Throughout its life the Mk2’s chassis, in particular, remained a rare thing of delight in terms of its precision and tactility. And like the Mk1, it was built to a standard that made its rivals from Ford and France seem woefully inadequate at the time. For these reasons and many more, the Mk2 (especially the 16v) remains one of the very best of the eight versions.
Модели
Variant
Впервые был произведен универсал, запущенный в начале 1993 года и принесший он находится в одном ряду с такими ключевыми конкурентами, как Ford Escort и Vauxhall / Opel Astra, которые долгое время продавались как универсалы. Варианты GT включали 2,8-литровый двигатель VR6 и кабриолет, выпущенный как Cabrio (Typ 1E).
Кабриолет
- A59
Несмотря на то, что проект провалился, это должен был быть самый высокий уровень производительности, Модель 4WD с двигателем 1998 куб. См с турбонаддувом мощностью 275 л.с., оболочкой из углеродного волокна и кевлара, а также полным каркасом безопасности. Он должен был выиграть чемпионат мира по ралли в 1994 году. Прототип можно увидеть в музее Volkswagen.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk4
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It was a poor attempt at a GTI, frankly, and when the Mk4 went on sale in 1998 it didn’t exactly right many of the Mk3’s wrongs, even if its interior did represent a very clear step up in quality. But despite its upmarket cabin, where the Mk4 really failed to deliver was on the road, which is precisely where the original GTIs had been so strong. Driving the near-zero-mileage examples of the Mk3 and Mk4 you see here, it’s not difficult to see why.
Dynamically they both feel like ordinary hatchbacks that just so happen to wear GTI badges. They both feel like they were designed to be powered by a turbodiesel engine ultimately, not by a zesty four-cylinder petrol engine, and in truth that was probably the case at the time. In 2003, when cars like the Mk1 Focus RS and Mégane Renaultsport were in full swing, the Mk4 Golf GTI had become a very weak shadow of its former self.
Характеристики
В 1993 году была представлена 16-клапанная версия Golf GTI третьего поколения. Двигатель был увеличен до 2,0 л, а мощность теперь достигла 150 л.с. (110 кВт / 148 л.с.). Несмотря на меньшую мощность, чем VR6, он по-прежнему был относительно популярен среди энтузиастов вождения в Европе, поскольку предлагал аналогичную мощность без налоговой нагрузки, как у 6-цилиндрового двигателя. Как и в предыдущих версиях, Golf Driver был официальным аналогом GTI в Великобритании. Как и Golf GT на континентальном рынке, он выглядел спортивно, но был оснащен 1,8-литровым одноточечным впрыском двигателя.
Golf Mk3 также был предшественником «дизельного увлечения», которое охватило Европу в конце 1990-х — начале 2000-х годов, когда Volkswagen представил систему непосредственного впрыска топлива мощностью 90 л.с. (66 кВт; 89). л.с.) Golf TDI в 1993 году.
С момента выпуска все версии Golf поставлялись с системой впрыска топлива, чтобы соответствовать требованиям EEC, согласно которым все новые автомобили, продаваемые в странах-членах с января 1993 года, должны поставляться. с впрыском топлива или каталитическим нейтрализатором. Некатализируемые модели также были построены для тех рынков, где к ним не было интереса; выходная мощность была такой же, как у катализированных моделей. Совершенно новый бензиновый двигатель 1,4 был моделью начального уровня в линейке MK2 Golf.
Также предлагалась безнаддувная версия дизельного двигателя объемом 1,9 л, SDI, мощностью 47 кВт (64 л.с., 63 л.с.).
Подушки безопасности были впервые предложены на Golf в 1992 году, а с 1996 года антиблокировочная система тормозов стала стандартной для всей линейки автомобилей.
Golf Mk3 также был доступен в форме «Ecomatic». Он был оснащен дизельным двигателем и безмуфтовой механической коробкой передач. Автомобиль будет двигаться на выбеге при размыкании сцепления, как только будет отпущен акселератор, и двигатель будет выключен еще через 1,5 секунды бездействия, будь то остановка или движение накатом. Для перезапуска двигателя просто нужно было нажать педаль акселератора. Компания VW ранее использовала подобную технологию в модели VW Polo «Formel E» в 1980-х годах.
Также было выпущено ограниченное количество примерно 250 автомобилей «CitySTROMer», в основном проданных на немецкий рынок, которые были полностью электромобили, включающие шесть свинцово-кислотных аккумуляторов в моторном отсеке и еще 10 под багажным отделением. Он имел дальность около 50 км. Автомобиль мог быть заправлен небольшим количеством дизельного топлива для обогрева кабины.
Как и в случае с Mk1 и Mk2, Mk3 оставался доступным в США в течение года после того, как он был снят с производства в Европе (1998). Mk3 продолжал производиться в 1999 модельном году, где он продавался в Северной и Южной Америке. Эти автомобили Mk3 1999 года были последними, произведенными в мире и продававшимися вместе с Mk4 в автосалонах.
- Награды
- 1997 Какой? Журнал Best Buys: Лучший семейный автомобиль
- Европейский автомобиль года : 1992
- 1992 Какой автомобиль? : Автомобиль года
Выбор двигателя
| Имя | Объем | Двигатель | Топливо | Мощность (макс.) | Модель | 0-100 км / ч (0-62 миль / ч) | Максимальная скорость | Годы | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,4 | 1391 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 60 л.с. (44 кВт; 59 л.с.) при 5200 об / мин | 107 Нм (79 lbft) при 2800-3200 об / мин | ABD | 16,3 | 157 км / ч (98 миль / ч) | 1992−1995 |
| 1,4 | 1390 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 60 л.с. (44 кВт; 59 л.с.) при 4700 об / мин | 116 Нм (86 lb⋅ft) при 2800-3200 об / мин | AEX / APQ | 15,9 | 158 км / ч (98 миль / ч) | 1995−1997 |
| 1,6 | 1598 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 75 л.с. (55 кВт; 74 л.с.) при 5200 об / мин | 125 Н · м (92 фунт-фут) при 3400 об / мин | ABU | 168 км / ч (104 миль / ч) | 1992–1994 | |
| 1,6 | 1598 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 75 л.с. (55 кВт; 74 л.с.) при 5200 об / мин | 126 Нм (93 lbft) при 2600 об / мин | AEA | 168 км / ч (104 миль / ч) | 1994 −1995 | |
| 1,6 | 1598 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 75 л.с. (55 кВт; 74 л.с.) при 4800 об / мин | 135 Н · м (100 фунт-футов) при 2800−3600 об / мин | AEE | 13,4 | 168 км / ч (104 миль / ч) | 1995-1997 |
| 1,6 | 1595 куб. См | I4 | Бензин | 100 л.с. (74 кВт; 99 л.с.) при 5800 об / мин | 135 Нм (100 фунт-фут) при 4400 об / мин | AEK | 188 км / ч (117 миль / ч) | 1994-1995 | |
| 1,6 | 1595 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 100 л.с. (74 кВт; 99 л.с.) при 5800 об / мин | 140 Нм (103 lbf⋅ft) при 3500 об / мин | AFT / AKS | 11,2 | 188 км / ч (117 миль / ч) | 1995-1997 |
| 1,8 | 1781 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 75 л.с. (55 кВт; 74 л.с.) при 5000 об / мин | 140 Н · м (103 фунт-сила-фут) при 2500 об / мин | AAM / ANN | 14,2 | 168 км / ч (104 миль / ч) | 1992-1997 |
| 1,8 | 1781 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 90 л.с. (66 кВт; 89 л.с.) при 5500 об / мин | 145 Н · м (107 фунт-фут) при 2500 об / мин | ABS / ADZ / ANP / ACC | 12,1 | 178 км / ч (111 миль / ч) | 1992–1997 |
| 2.0 GTI | 1984 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 118 л.с. (87 кВт; 116 л.с.) при 5400 об / мин | 166 Нм (122 фунт-фут) при 3200 об / мин | 2E / ABA / ADY / AGG | 9,7 | 210 км / ч (130 миль / ч) | 1992−1997 |
| 2.0 GTI 16V | 1984 куб.см | I4 | Бензин | 152 л.с. (112 кВт; 150 л.с.) при 6000 об / мин | 180 Нм (133 lbf⋅ft) при 4600 об / мин | ABF | 8,1 | 225 км / ч (140 миль / ч) | 1993-1997 |
| 2,8 VR6 | 2792 куб.см | VR6 | Бензин | 176 л.с. (129 кВт; 174 л.с.) при 5800 об / мин | 235 Н · м (173 фунт-фут) при 4200 об / мин | AAA | 7,5 | 240 км / ч (149 миль / ч) | 1992-1998 |
| 2,9 VR6 | 2861 куб.см | VR6 | Бензин | 190 л.с. (140 кВт; 187 л.с.) при 5800 об / мин | 245 Н м (181 фунт-фут) при 4200 об / мин | ABV | 6,7 | 250 км / ч (155 миль / ч) | 1994-1997 |
| 1,9 D | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 64 л.с. (47 кВт; 63 л.с.) при 4400 об / мин | 124 Н · м (91 фунт-фут) при 2000-3000 об / мин | 1Y | 17,6 | 156 км / ч (97 миль / ч) | 1992-1997 |
| 1,9 SDI | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 64 л.с. ( 47 кВт; 63 л.с.) при 4200 об / мин | 125 Н · м м (92 фунт-фут) при 2200-2800 об / мин | AEY | 17,6 | 156 км / ч (97 миль / ч) | 1995-1997 |
| 1,9 TD | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 75 л.с. (55 кВт; 74 л.с.) при 4200 об / мин | 150 Нм (111 lbf⋅ft) при 2400-3400 об / мин | AAZ | 15,1 | 165 км / ч (103 миль / ч) | 1992−1997 |
| 1,9 TDI | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 90 л.с. (66 кВт; 89 л.с.) при 4000 об / мин | 202 Нм (149 lbft) при 1900 об / мин | 1Z | 12,8 | 178 км / ч (111 миль / ч) | 1993−1996 |
| 1,9 TDI | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 90 л.с. (66 кВт; 89 л.с.) при 4000 об / мин | 210 Н · м (155 фунт-сила-фут) при 1900 об / мин | AHU | 12,5 | 178 км / ч (111 миль / ч) | 1996–1997 |
| 1,9 TDI | 1896 куб.см | I4 | Дизель | 110 л.с. (81 кВт; 108 л.с.) при 4150 об / мин | 235 Нм (173 фунт-фут) при 1900 об / мин | AFN | 11,0 | 193 км / ч (120 миль / ч) | 1996–1997 |
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8
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That’s saying something when there’s 40 grand’s worth of new Mk8 Clubsport 45 sitting next to it. By coincidence, £40k is the same amount VW has insured the original Mk1 GTI for, yet there’s a world of difference, and 45 years, between them. And I know which one would get my 40 grand.
The Mk8 is deeply impressive, not just to drive, but also as a piece of tech to experience and interact with. It represents a strong mix of new and slightly old-school values in this respect, even if its on-board tech can be a touch overwhelming to begin with, especially its haptic controls and its entirely digital touchscreen design.
Timeline
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8: 2020-today
2.0 turbo launched with 242bhp on tap, Clubsport model also introduced with 296bhp; 2021 Clubsport 45, also with 296bhp, joins line-up to mark 45 years of the Golf GTI.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7: 2013-2020
2.0 turbo with 217bhp available from launch, Performance Pack version with 227bhp and standard LSD also available; 2016 Clubsport S model launched, sets new front-drive production car lap. record at Nürburgring (7min 49.24sec); 2019 GTI TCR launched.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6: 2009-2013
2.0 turbo with 207bhp available from launch; 2011 GTI 35 Edition arrives with 232bhp; 2012 GTI Cabrio introduced.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5: 2004-2008
2.0 turbo with 197bhp available from launch; DSG gearbox also becomes available as an option; 2007 227bhp engine available in GTI Edition 30.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk4: 1998-2004
1.8 turbo available from launch with 148bhp; 1999 2.0 (non-turbo) introduced with 113bhp; 2002 180bhp petrol and 148bhp TDi engines arrive.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk3: 1992-1998
Golf VR6 arrived with the Mk3, knocking the GTI off its range- topping plinth.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2: 1984-1992
1986 1.8 16v introduced with 137bhp; 1989 big bumpers introduced; 1990 one million GTI sales reached.
Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1: 1976-1984
1979 first UK right-hand-drive GTI launched; 1982 1.8 engine introduced with 110bhp to go with 108bhp 1.6.
What’s your favourite Volkswagen Golf GTI model? Let us know in the comments…
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk II — The Story continues
The GTI-version of the Golf 2 was offered starting in 1984, offering the “full” GTI as well as a slightly “tamed” version with a catalytic converter.The Mark 2 GTI kept the red frame at the front and the black flares, additionally being equipped with a larger front lip and a small rear spoiler.It was equipped with a fuel-injected (Bosch K-Jetronic) 1781ccm 8-valve inline-4 SOHC-engine (coded “EV”), which delivered 82kw at 5.500rpm and 155nm of torque at 3.100rpm to a 5-speed manual driving the front wheels.That power was enough to accelerate the car in 10 seconds from a standstill to 100kph, not any faster than the Mark 1 but not any slower either despite the new car weighting at least 1.020kg.The GTI’s top-speed had grown to 191kph, while the brakes were now discs all around (239mm at the front, 226mm in the rear).Furthermore, customers could now order the car with optional power steering.
The GTI was updated in 1986 (starting delivery in ’87) with the new engine (new code “KR”) being a 1.781ccm inline-four DOHC-engine with 4 valves per cylinder (officially renaming the car “Golf GTI 16V”), being supplied with fuel through an electrical fuel injection system (Bosch KE-Jetronic) with hydraulic tappets making sure that the valves no longer needed to be manually adjusted every now and then.The new engine delivered 95kw at 5.800rpm and 168nm at 4.250rpm to the same 5-speed gearbox, enough to raise the top speed to 208kph and to cut 1,1 seconds off the sprint from a standstill to 100kph.The brakes remained the same, but now came with an ABS-system as standard.The Mark 2 GTI was made until 1991, finishing production one year before the last Mark 2 Golf was made.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk IV — The Legend becomes an optional Package
With orders being taken in 1997 the Mark 4 Golf brought a big change, eliminating the status of the Golf GTI as a unique model.Instead, “GTI” became more of an equipment-line, just like “Trendline” or “Comfortline”.The Mark 4 GTI is also the least recognizable GTI, having ditched its predecessors red lines or the badge in the grille.The GTI can be identified by rolling on 16-inch alloy wheels from BBS, tinted rear lights (having a red-black scheme rather than the normal red-yellow).The GTI-package also came with birdseye-maple wood-decals in the dashboard and Recaro seats that offered a little more side-support than the stock seats.Over the 6 years of production the GTI-package was available for 11 engines, including 4 diesel-engines (which would be labelled “GTI TDI”).The closest thing to a “classic” GTI the Mark 4 offered was the “25th Anniversary Edition”-GTI that was sold in 2001.It can be identified by a unique styling package (different front- and rear bumpers, sills and a rear spoiler), headlights with part of the inside painted black (which are highly sought after by fans nowadays), a sports exhaust with a 90mm exhaust-tip and 18-inch polished BBS-wheels.Its interior was upgraded with new improved Recaro seats, a number of red details, drilled aluminium pedals and a golf ball gearstick reminiscent of the Mark 1 GTI.Also, other than the “regular” GTI of that Generation, the Special Edition only came with one engine, a 1.8 liter 20-valve engine delivering 132kw.
The Volkswagen Rally Golf — A spiced up GTI
A close relative of the Mark 2 GTI is the Volkswagen Rally Golf, a special edition that was made 5.000 times in between 1989 and 1991 for homologation-purposes.The car can be easily identified by clearly widened fenders, wider sills, a grille painted in the car’s colour and rectangular headlights, in addition to a redesigned front bumper with additional intakes to get cool air to the front brakes.The Rally Golf was powered by Volkswagen’s famous G60 engine, an inline-4 8-valve SOHC-engine which had been downsized by 18ccm to 1.763ccm, allowing the rally-car to compete in the 1.700ccm-class.The engine was still aspirated by the normal “G-Charger”, with a larger intercooler supposed to make up for the reduced displacement, while “Digifant” electrical injection supplied the fuel.The engine (coded “1H”) delivered 118kw at 5.800rpm and 225nm at 3.800rpm to a reinforced 5-speed manual gearbox, which drove all four wheels, with the wheelbase growing by 4mm.The brakes grew by 41mm in the front (to 280mm) while the rears remained at 226mm.The Rally Golf also came standard with power steering, as well as a refined suspension and sports seats.The 1.250kg-heavy car does the standard sprint in 9,5 seconds, while the top-speed grew to 210kph.About half of all Rally Golf survived until today, and they’re seen as the most sought-after classic Golf.Some also see the Rally Golf as the predecessor of the Golf R32/Golf R.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk I — A Legend is Born
The first completed GTI made its debut on the IAA in Frankfurt (Germany) in September 1975, just over three months after the bosses allowed for the project to become reality.That super-short time had a few side effects, such as that (according to Konrad in an interview in mid-2016), while the presented GTI had an engine, it most likely wasn’t connected to anything.Another year passed after the original presentation until the GTI was released.At that point it was a slightly reinforced Golf 1 equipped with the EA 827-engine (re-coded as the “EG” for the GTI) from the Audi 80 GTE.That was a naturally aspirated SOHC 8-valve inline-4 engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and 1.588ccm of displacement producing 81kw at 6.100 rpm and 137nm of torque at 5.000.The engine was mounted to a 4-speed manual (upgraded to a 5-speed in 1979), allowing the 840kg light GTI to reach 100kph in just 10 seconds and run a top speed of 183kph, easily enough to go on the Autobahn and mess with some Porsches (which kind of was the original reason for developing the car).Deceleration was taken care of by 239mm disc-brakes at the front and drums at the rear, with servo-support as standard.There’s only one thing the bosses at Volkswagen did wrong, and that was trying to estimate how many they would sell.Because in the 6 years it was on sale Volkswagen didn’t sell 5.000 Golf 1 GTI.They sold 461.690 Golf 1 GTI before production stopped in 1983.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk VI
The Mark 6 GTI is identified by different bumpers, a larger rear spoiler, two chrome exhaust tips, 17-inch wheels resembling the predecessor’s wheels, two horizontal red lines in the grille (alongside a silver GTI-badge) and a GTI-badge on the rear.The interior received a sports steering wheel with a “GTI”-label on the vertical spoke and alloy pedals as well as sport seats and red stitching on the cloth below the gearstick of the manual gearbox.The GTI was powered by a turbocharged 1984ccm engine delivering 155kw at 6.200rpm and 280nm at 1.700 to 5.200rpm mounted to a manual 6-speed gearbox or an optional 6-speed DSG-gearbox (somewhat strangely, since the normal Mark 6 Golf could be ordered with a seven-speed DSG).The GTI could do the standard sprint in 6,9 seconds and reached a top speed of 240kph.After three years and 7 months the GTI’ production was stopped, half a year before the Mark 6 Golf ceased production.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6
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Having righted the ship, the Mk5 was followed by the similarly good, but less ground-breaking, Mk6 between 2009-2013. This saw the first Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet model introduced and, driving it today, the bright red Mk6 you see here feels like a GTI from the modern era, even if it looks diddy and old-fashioned beside the Clubsport 45 Mk8.
The Mk6 is good at everything it does, a little softer than its immediate predecessor perhaps, but also a touch more practical and better equipped. On this experience, I’d still take the Mk5 over a Mk6 though. It seems like a more significant model in the overall scheme of things, plus its chassis and steering are that little bit sharper somehow.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk III — The End of the classic GTI
The GTI-label returned with the Golf 3 GTI in 1991.The GTI could be identified by a horizontal red line in the rear and front bumper, tinted rear lights, a red GTI-badge in the grille and a spoiler-lip.Upon release the now 1.089kg heavy car was powered by a 1.984ccm inline-4 8-valve SOHC-engine equipped with “Digifant” electrical injection, delivering 85kw at 5.400rpm and 166nm at 3.200rpm through a five-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels.The GTI would reach 100kph in 10,1 seconds and top out at 198kph, while deceleration was taken care of by disc-brakes all around, with ventilated 256mm discs at the front and 226mm discs at the rear, without ABS.In 1992 the GTI could also be ordered with an updated version of the same engine.It had the same displacement, but double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder raising the power-output to 110kw at 6.000rpm and 180nm at 4.800nm.That increase in power raised the top speed to 215kph and shortened the standard sprint to 8,7 seconds, while the brakes grew to 288mm in the front to keep up with the increased performance, now coming with ABS as standard.The Mark 3 GTI was made until December 1997, allowing for cars to be on the market that were first registered in 1998, the year after Golf 3 stopped production.