History of the Golf GTI

The first generation of the VW Golf GTI went on sale in Germany in June 1976 and not many may know that VW had actually planned to produce only 5,000 units as a limited edition. However, things turned out differently when the car started appearing on roads around Europe. The 81 kW/110 bhp Golf GTI that could reach 182 km/h drew a new clientele and created the ‘GTI class’ which also started the ‘hot hatch’ craze. 5,000 units became over 1.5 million.

1976: Debut of first generation Golf GTI delivering 81 kW
 
1979: Facelift introduced
 
1982: Golf GTI now delivers 82 kW
 
1983: Introduction of "Pirelli GTI” special model
 
1984: Debut of second generation Golf GTI
 
1984: Introduction of catalytic converter reduces output (79 kW instead of 82 kW)
 
1985: Facelift, double headlights and double end pipe
 
1986: Debut of Golf GTI 16V (102 kW without catalytic converter, 95 kW with catalytic converter)
 
1990: Introduction of Golf GTI with G60 engine (118 kW)
 
1991: Debut of third generation Golf GTI delivering 85 kW
 
1992: Introduction of Golf GTI 16V delivering 110kW (150hp)
 
1996: Presentation of anniversary model "20 Years GTI”
 
1996: Introduction of Golf GTI TDI delivering 81 kW
 
1998: Debut of fourth generation Golf GTI with 110 kW petrol engine (1.8 T); 110kW V5 petrol/ later 125 kW; 81kW TDI; 85 kW TDI (later 96 kW)
 
2000: Introduction of Golf GTI TDI delivering 110 kW
 
2001: Introduction of Golf GTI with 132 kW turbo 

2004: Debut of fifth generation Golf delivering 147 kW

2006: 30th anniversary of the Golf GTI