The Golf GTI
It is often red and does not just have a sporty look – most people could tell you that much about the Golf GTI. A host of interesting stories and facts has accumulated over the past 45 years.
Fact 1: GTI engine with four cylinders
A GTI characteristic: it still relies on a robust, four-cylinder petrol engine to provide maximum driving pleasure. This started out in 1976 as a 110 PS injection engine, but now the new Golf GTI unit has more than double the power – a mighty 245 PS! The Golf 1 already went from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 9.2 seconds, while the needle on the speedometer stopped moving at 182 km/h. Back then, mid-range saloon cars struggled to hit the 160 km/h mark. Not only that: the new Golf GTI keeps pushing on until it reaches 250 km/h (electrically limited).
Fact 2: Unique rim design for each GTI generation
The combination of tyres and rims on a car represents the key connecting factor that ensures optimal transfer of drive performance to the road. This is particularly important for the current top of the range 300 PS GTI, the Golf GTI Clubsport, which is available with the innovative Vehicle Dynamics Manager and the new “Nürburgring” driving profile. The...