VW Golf GTI in SA - from now to 1982

No other performance acronym in the compact class is as familiar or successful as Volkswagen’s “GTI” signature. When the first Golf GTI made its international debut 37 years ago, those three little letters became the definition of a new vehicle segment. Since then, only the GTI has been considered the true and original hot hatch.

It all began in the summer 1976 when the very first production GTI was started. Initially, only 5000 units of the "GTI" were planned. The first Golf GTI surprised everyone - from customers to the competition. Four decades later, more than two million (of which over 62 000 were sold in South Africa) have been sold worldwide. Certain GTI cars have become valuable collectors’ items. No other car in this segment even comes close to the GTI's large fan base. Over its seven generations, the Golf GTI concept has kept reinventing itself, and will continue to do so.

Starting from the most recent, let us take a look at how the GTI has progressed over the years, specifically the ones that were available locally.

July 2017 - The most recent GTI? It’s actually a GTD ...

A GTI by any other name... would smell like diesel?

The diesel-derivative of this popular performance model was very recently launched to us: Click HERE to read Lawrence’s driving impression.

With the latest GTD, VW says it “combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a subcompact car in a most enticing way.” it is driven by an entirely new four-cylinder TDI of the EA288 series which can also be found on the Volkswagen Passat – a transverse mounted, charged two-litre engine with common rail direct injection. The 2.0litre TDI engine develops 130kW at 3,600 to 4,000 rpm, with 350 Nm of torque. But for the rest of the history, let’s concentrate on local, GTI petrol-derivatives.

January 2017: Golf GTI Clubsport S (Limited Edition)

The Golf GTI Clubsport S arrives in South Africa. The limited edition Golf GTI Clubsport S with 228 kW of power is only available as a two-door body variant and with two-seats, available only as a manual, to further help save weight. It comes with a setting for the Nürburgring Nordschleife race track which can be set using the standard Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) driving profile selector. Only 400 units were built and 47 of them were allocated to South Africa. All of the 47 units were pre sold by the Volkswagen dealer organization turning the Golf GTI Clubsport S into an instant icon and collectors’ item.

July 2016 Golf GTI Clubsport

Early in 2016, the Golf GTI celebrated its 40th anniversary. To mark the event, Volkswagen launched a special edition that is a class all of its own; Golf GTI Clubsport – the most powerful GTI built at the time. It boasts 195kW / 350 that can be increased to 213kW and 380 Nm by means of an overboost function. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds; its top speed is 249 km/h. It features launch control on the DSG-version.

April 2015 - Golf GTI Performance Pack

Volkswagen expands their best-selling Golf GTI offering with a new derivative, the Golf GTI Performance Pack. It delivers 169 kW, and is powered by 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (TSI) used in the Golf GTI with 162 kW of power. Both derivatives have similar torque of 350 Nm. The top speed is 248 km/h and the 0-100km/h sprint is reached in 6.4 seconds. The Golf GTI Performance Pack is only offered with DSG transmission. Furthermore, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is available as a standard feature. It offers three driving modes "Comfort", "Normal" and "Sport". A newly engineered electronic front differential lock is being used exclusively in the Golf GTI Performance Pack.

July 2013 - Golf 7 GTI  

The seventh-generation Golf GTI delivers 162 kW to the front wheels which is double the power of the very first Golf GTI launched overseas in 1976. The GTI 7 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. The turbocharged engine of the GTI is from the third generation of the EA888 engine series, and has a completely newly developed cylinder head. It is 42 kg lighter than the previous.

It is equipped with a stop/start system and a 6-speed gearbox as standard.  BlueMotion Technology keeps the combined fuel consumption to a low 6.0 l/100 km (manufacturer’s figures). A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG) is optional. The 162 kW Golf GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 246 km/h (DSG: 244 km/h).

April 2013 Golf GTI Cabriolet

After selling over 1.8 million Golf GTI models worldwide, Volkswagen launches the first topless version of the iconic GTI: The Golf GTI Cabriolet, with 155 kW. The convertible, with an electric soft-top, Climatronic dual zone air conditioning, XDS transverse electronic differential lock and a roll-over protection system, can be enjoyed by well-heeled South Africans.

The Golf GTI Cabriolet is only available with 6-speed DSG transmission and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 280 Nm. It accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds and has a top speed is 235 km/h. It has a combined fuel consumption of just 7.7 l/100 km (VW’s figures).

The soft top opens in just 9.0 seconds and can be operated while driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

February 2012 - Golf GTI Edition 35

For the GTI’s 35th anniversary, VW introduces the special edition Golf GTI Edition 35.  

With 173kW of power, Edition 35 outputs 18kW more than the the standard 2009 2.0 TSI Golf GTI at 155kW. It’s front-wheel driven, which is well-supported by XDS electronic differential lock. Its torque of 300 Nm between allows it to reach a top speed of 247 km/h. The 0-100 km/h dash is achieved in only 6.6 seconds. The Golf GTI Edition 35 is available with standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed DSG.

January 2009 -  Golf GTI Mk6

The sixth-generation Golf GTI is launched in SA. Featuring a whole myriad of safety and assistance systems as well as XDS differential lock, the GTI is equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, with 155 kW and 280 Nm. It has a top speed of 240 km/h and reaches 100 km/h in only 6.9 seconds. It is fitted with front, side and curtain airbags, and a knee-bag for the driver. It has ABS, ASR and ESP. It comes standard with a 6-speed manual or optional DSG transmission.

2005 - Fifth-generation Golf GTI  

The 5th gen GTI (Mk5) is launched in South Africa, and is also the last Golf to be produced locally. It has a 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 147 kW and an optional 6-speed DSG-box, as well as 15mm lowering springs. The 5th-gen Golf GTI was available with 8 airbags, Bi-xenon headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, and tartan chairs. When the Golf 5 launched in 2003, it left the competition far behind with regards to its fantastic suspension and large amount of comfort features.

2003 - Limited Edition VW Golf 4 GTI R

To celebrate 25 years of GTI in South Africa, the Limited Edition GTI R is launched locally. The 1.8-litre engine now puts out 132 kW, and for the first time, has a 6-speed transmission. It reaches 100 km/h in only 7.8 seconds and its top speed is 228 km/h. A sport package was offered on 150 units only. VW Racing fit a sports-type muffler with a silver sports-tailpipe to the car, to enhance its GTI exhaust note.

2000 - Golf GTI Mk4

The fourth-generation GTI is introduced in South Africa, with a 1.8-litre 110 kW turbocharged engine. GTI enthusiasts say that at that time, it was the best used Golf to buy - the 1.8-litre engine was a gem, the car itself was roomy and sensible, and it offered a cheaper, fun alternative to the Audi A3.

1993: VW Golf VR6

A six-cylinder Golf namely the VR6 arrives on the scene. No, it doesn’t carry the GTI name tag, but it has all of 128kW, which we think is notable! Since Mk3 GTI was a slightly disappointing to many GTI-aficionados, VR6 owners had all the bragging rights.

1992 - Golf GTI 16V

The third-generation Golf GTI 16V debuts in South Africa. It has a 2.0-litre 16V engine with 110kW, and took 9.32 seconds to reach 100 km/h, topping out at 208 km/h. It cost R63 230 at the time, and was known for its refinement as well as its solid road holding.

1986 - Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk 2

1986 The quad-valve 1.8-litre GTI with 82 kW is launched in SA. (Overseas, a catalytic converter was introduced in overseas Mk2-models in 1984, and as a result, power had dropped to 78kW). It featured a brand new chassis, slicker styling and considerably more space. In 1986, the Golf was the car to introduce ABS and power steering. VWSA produced 57 013 units of Mk2 between ‘84 and ‘92.

1982 - Golf GTI Mk1 launches in SA

The VW Golf had already made its SA debut in 1978 and was being built right here in Uitenhage. Designed by Italian automobile architect and designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Golf proved ultra-popular, selling 30 000 units in SA alone that year! The Golf GTi was launched to overseas markets in 1976, but it wasn’t until 1982 that we would see it here. Practical and sporty, it was one of the first small cars to adopt mechanical fuel injection. It had a 1.8-litre engine with 82 kW, and was the vehicle of choice for VW motorsport racing.

Source: Volkswagen South Africa