Miscellaneous Features Beta
30th Anniversary GTI - German and UK Market Versions
By by: Jamie Vondruska
Nov 15, 2006, 11:31

The Short Version: Volkswagen AG and UK (so far) have both announced a 30th Anniversary GTI for their markets with an uprated 2.0T with 230hp mated to DSG.

Our take: We've known for quite some time that VW has been planning a 30th Anniversary GTI for the European market and a similar 25th Anniversary GTI for the U.S. market (yes, the U.S. market got the GTI five years later). VW AG has released a number of photos of the German-market car while VW UK has released two photos and a press release on the UK version. In the photos of the UK version, it is painfully obvious they "Photoshopped" BBS CH-style wheels on it. We know there was some internal "struggles" over which wheel would be chosen and it appears the UK version will go with the more traditional BBS-style wheel.

Rumor is we'll be getting the BBS-style wheel on the U.S. 25th Anniversary GTI when it arrives next year but we need to firm that up. Otherwise you can expect the U.S. version to be nearly identical to the German market version with all the goodies seen in the photos. According to the press releases so far, it does *not* appear the anniversary model will get the new electronic locking differential that was rumored. That doesn't mean the locking diff project has been killed but is more likely a sign that it isn't quite ready for prime time.

Power with the 2.0T has been upped from 200hp to 230hp in the Anniversary Edition. In addition the car gets body painted lower pieces, unique anniversary trim including red stitching, Golf-ball shift knob and Interlagos plaid cloth inserts with leather bolstered sport seats. So far it looks like DSG is the standard transmission, but we need to find that out for sure as well.

We've put a call into our VW sources to find out details on the U.S. version (if they are available yet) and will report back as soon as we know more.




Volkswagen UK Press Release:

The fastest and most powerful production Golf GTI yet is set to kick off celebrations as 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the original hot hatch – the Mk1 Golf GTI. Despite three decades having passed since the defining GTI was conceived, the spirit of the original is still very much alive in the new Golf GTI Edition 30.

At its heart is an uprated version of the 2.0-litre, ultra-responsive four-cylinder T-FSI engine fitted to the standard GTI. The result is 230 PS – a rise of 30 PS over the standard car. This is mated to a choice of six-speed manual or sequential DSG gearboxes channelling drive through the front wheels.

The new Golf GTI Edition 30 will sprint to 62 mph in only 6.8 seconds (6.6 secs when equipped with DSG) before reaching a maximum of 150 mph.



Joining the dynamic tweaks is a fresh new look for the GTI Edition 30. New body-coloured side skirts are paired with a new chin spoiler for the front bumper and a body-coloured rear bumper. A subtle ‘GTI’ badge sits on the bootlid below tinted rear lights. Completing the look are a set of unique 18-inch ‘Pescara’ alloy wheels.

Inside, the GTI Edition 30 benefits from unique sports seats finished in ‘Interlagos’ cloth trim and completed with leather side bolsters and headrest. The distinctive golf ball gear knob synonymous with the Mk1 GTI also makes a welcome comeback. Elsewhere silver sill plates featuring a unique ‘Edition 30’ logo are joined by the sculpted leather GTI steering wheel complete with red stitching.

Equipment levels for the Edition 30, as on the standard GTI, are high, with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), six airbags, radio/CD player, 2Zone electronic climate control and twin chrome exhaust tailpipes all featured.



Just 1,500 examples of the GTI Edition 30 will be available from early January with a range of six paint colours ranging from Candy White to the searing Tornado Red. Prices for the anniversary model start at just over £22,000 for the three-door model, with a £1,330 premium for the DSG-equipped car. The GTI Edition 30 is also available with five doors for an additional £500.

The right hand drive Mk1 Golf GTI – developing a modest 112 bhp – went on sale in the UK in 1977. At the time Leo Sayer was at number one, Star Wars gripped a generation of kids, Concorde was about to take flight for the first time and Volkswagen’s new GTI cost £5,217. The Golf GTI, with its mix of a low kerb weight and a fast-revving four-cylinder engine, sharpened suspension and subtly aggressive looks, became an instant hit. By the time the Mk1 GTI was phased out in 1984 over 19,500 examples had been sold in the UK.

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