A journey through the eras - 44 years of the Golf GTI

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Things that help shape their era and then outlast it can become icons. The Golf GTI is one such icon. A compact car with the performance of a sports car. An unmistakable design. A catchy name: GTI. Unlike many of its rivals, “the GTI” has been consistently refined from generation to generation. This is a car with both a history and a future, meaning that each new Golf GTI gives the present a completely new feel while remaining true to its original DNA. This 44-year journey from the Golf GTI Mk1 to the new Golf GTI TCR covers the most significant stages in the evolution of this icon. Accompanied by a soundtrack of music from each different era. Music that would once have been played over VHF and cassette and is now digitally acquired via DAB+ and smartphone. Iconic in any case. Like the Golf GTI.

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1976. When the Eagles recorded the album “Hotel California” in 1976, they had no idea of the impact they would have on the musical memories of almost everyone on the planet. The Alan Parsons Project in the meantime led a whole generation into the mystical world of Edgar Alan Poe with “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”.

Golf GTI Mk1/1976. We have no definite record showing on which day in 1976 the first series production GTI was built. We can say one thing though: boasting 110 PS and a top speed of 182 km/h, it ruffled a few feathers in the world of considerably higher priced sports cars and luxury saloons back in 1976.

1983. Michael Jackson became the new King of Pop with “Thriller” at the end of 1982. In 1983, hit singles like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” from the album rocketed into musical orbit. “Thriller” went on to become the most successful album of all time, selling 66 million vinyl records, CDs and downloads.

Golf GTI Mk1 Pirelli/1983. One highlight from the first generation made its début in 1983 in the form of the “Pirelli GTI” delivering 112 PS – the first special edition. Today, like all Golf GTI Mk1 models, it is a sought-after classic car with appreciating value.

The Volkswagen Original GTI Pirelli of 1983

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1984. Bruce Springsteen and the “E Street Band” swept across the globe in 1984 with “Born In The U.S.A.”. It was also the year of Prince as he changed the course of music with “Purple Rain”. Meanwhile, Dire Straits took us to a new dimension of perfectly produced live music with “Alchemy”.

Golf GTI Mk2/1984. A strategic stroke of genius followed with the Golf GTI Mk2. Still delivering 112 PS, it carried on the idea behind the first generation in 1984. Bearing typical GTI insignia like the radiator grille with red stripes and the golf ball gear knob, this move turned the new model into a cult series.

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1988. In autumn 1987, George Michael launched his unparalleled solo career by releasing the album “Faith”. The title track from the album became number one in the US Billboard single charts for 1988. Also that year, Whitney Houston thrilled millions of people across the world when she sang “One Moment in Time”at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Seoul.

Golf GTI Mk2 16V/1988. The introduction of the new 16V engine increased the output of the Golf GTI equipped with regulated catalytic converter to 129 PS.

1990. Women’s power dominated the world of music in 1990. “Wilson Philips”, formed by the daughters of Brian Wilson (“The Beach Boys”) and John and Michelle Philips (“The Mamas and the Papas”), stormed up the charts with “Hold On”. Meanwhile, the film “Pretty Woman” (Julia Roberts) was not just a box office hit – it also boasted the most successful soundtrack, with songs by legends like David Bowie, Robert Palmer, Prince, Roy Orbison, Natalie Cole and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Golf GTI Mk2 G60/1990. As production of the second generation drew to a close, Volkswagen boosted the output of the sporty model to 160 PS with new technology by installing the G-Lader supercharger in the Golf GTI G60.

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1991. If you heard “Everything I Do” – one of the best-selling songs of all time – back in 1991, you would have not just associated it with singer Bryan Adams, but also with Kevin Costner, who is carried by the song through the film “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves”.

Golf GTI Mk3/1991. Volkswagen transferred the GTI insignias to the third generation in 1991. This version started out with 115 PS. One year later, the output was increased to 150 PS thanks to a new four-valve engine.

1996. When the Golf turned 20, five women from England rocked the world’s stages: The Spice Girls. Their first single “Wannabe” raced up the charts in over thirty countries and seemed to be played on every GTI car radio around the globe.

Golf GTI Mk3 “20th Anniversary Edition”/1996. Volkswagen launched the “20th Anniversary Edition” GTI to mark 20 years of the GTI. Like all anniversary models, this GTI has long since become a legend.

1997/98. When the third generation of the Golf GTI was phased out and the fourth was fired up, Elton John provided the soundtrack of the era with “Candle in Wind 1997”. A tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in 1997, this song became the top selling single in music history according to the “United World Chart”.

Golf GTI Mk4/1998. The fourth generation of the GTI introduced in 1998 was modest in terms of styling. Technically speaking though, the Golf Mk4, delivering up to 170 PS, was indeed a GTI. It held the competition at bay again with its agility and quality.

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2001. The voice of New Yorker Alicia Keys and her first album “Songs in A Minor” brought a fresh breeze to the world of soul and R&B. Her début album sold twelve million copies.

Golf GTI Mk4 “25th Anniversary Edition”/2001. The turbocharged special “25th Anniversary Edition GTI”, delivering 180 PS, sparked off an unforeseen renaissance for the sporty icon in 2001. Today, this GTI is an insider tip among collectors of modern classics.

2004. When Volkswagen presented the fifth Golf GTI in 2004, R&B star Usher, Maroon 5 and Eminem ruled the radio waves. Nelly Furtado and Norah Jones were the women competing against them. One of the most notable albums of the year was “Franz Ferdinand” by the rock band of the same name from Scotland.

Golf GTI Mk5/2004. The début of the fifth generation saw the Golf GTI Mk5 pick up pace like never before. Clearly sharper styling, a turbocharged engine delivering 200 PS and unmatched driving properties catapulted the GTI concept into the future.

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2006. It is all a question of taste, but ultimately “Dani California” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira can both claim to be the songs of 2006.

Golf GTI Mk5 “30th Anniversary Edition”/2006. On the 30th birthday of the iconic sports car, Volkswagen introduced the 230 PS “30th Anniversary Edition” GTI in 2006. Featuring the same engine, the reincarnation of the “Pirelli GTI” was launched in 2007.

2009. The voices of 2009 were Lady Gaga with “Poker Face” and Rihanna with “Russian Roulette”.

Golf GTI Mk6/2009. In 2009, the sixth GTI generation introduced a Golf delivering 210 PS that redefined traction thanks to its electronic differential lock (XDL). The Golf GTI was also available for the first time as a convertible.

2011. From time to time, artists step into the limelight who are in a completely different league. In 2011, it was Adele who made her mark with "21” and the single release “Someone Like You”. The second woman in this lonely league that year was Amy Winehouse: “Valerie” made her immortal.

Golf GTI Mk6 “Edition 35”/2011. The sixth generation was crowned by the Golf GTI “Edition 35”, which delivered 235 PS and was unveiled in 2011 to mark the 35th anniversary.

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2012. Some bands set out the musical coordinates for a year with an entire album. In 2012, it was the band Seeed who managed to make Berlin the centre of the German music scene for a whole summer.

Golf GTI Mk7/2012. The seventh generation of the GTI was launched in two output versions in 2012. The base version delivered 162 kW/220 PS while the Golf GTI Performance could unleash 169 kW/230 PS. Equipped with a new front differential lock, the Performance version masterfully redefined traction for front-wheel drive vehicles.

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2016. The past was almost present in 2016. Today, if we look back, one name dominated music in Germany that year: German artist Udo Lindenberg. His song “Stärker Als Die Zeit” (Stronger Than Time) saw him compete with the greats from the English-speaking world at the top of the German charts.

Golf GTI Mk7 Clubsport/2016. To mark the 40th anniversary of the GTI, a model delivering 195 kW/265 PS, which was based on the Golf GTI Performance, followed at the start of 2016. It was joined by the Golf GTI Clubsport with output boosted to 213 kW/290 PS. Thanks to its power and all-new aerodynamics in many areas, this model blurred the boundary between production and racing cars.

Golf GTI Mk7 Clubsport S/2016. It was a spring evening in Maywhen the Golf GTI Clubsport S screamed across the finishing line at the Nürburgring. With a time of 07:49:21, it smashed the existing lap record for front-wheel drive production vehicles on the legendary circuit. 228 kW/310 PS constantly available, a 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds, a top speed of 265 km/m and an EU kerb weight reduced to 1,360 kg: these are the purely factual key figures for the “CS”.

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Golf GTI Mk7 TCR/2019. Volkswagen presented the Golf GTI TCR, delivering 213 kW/290 PS, as a highlight at the famous GTI meeting at the Wörthersee lake in May 2018. It is a design study for a road-going version of the Golf GTI TCR (275 kW/350 PS) racing car. The production model is now set to be launched at the start of 2019.