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Benjamin “Benny” Leuchter has a long GTI history and was directly involved in the development of the Golf GTI Clubsport 45. Right on time for the Wörthersee GTI fan convention, which has unfortunately been cancelled again in 2021, he introduces the highlights of that car – and meets the most important models of previous generations. A bright blue sky welcomes Benny Leuchter to Wolfsburg on a mild Monday, shortly before the Wörthersee GTI fan convention, which was originally planned for May. The grey parking level, right next to the plant and within sight of Wolfsburg Castle, is about to be upgraded by a piece of Volkswagen history. Eight GTI special editions, from every generation of Golf, have been assembled here – from the Golf 1 GTI Pirelli to the latest member of the GTI family: the Golf GTI Clubsport 45, which is based on the eighth generation of Golf. When the racing driver and Volkswagen test and development driver arrives, he is visibly impressed by the Golf GTI Clubsport 45: “It looks mega. The colour really suits it. With its black accents in a high-gloss finish, the rear wing really comes into its own,” he says, clearly satisfied. “The oval exhaust pipes are framed superbly, and what an awesome size they are. I would definitely tick that on the extras list!”

It is often red, has checked seats 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, and we have put these in print for you! 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.

From the planned 5,000 units, 461,690 Golf GTIs are produced in the first series – which is crowned by the special edition of the 82kW/ 112 PS “Pirelli-GTI”. Der Golf GTI im MotorsportThe Golf GTI also celebrated its first successes in motor sports, especially on the rallying circuit, shortly after its launch. Thus, the Golf GTI competed as a new championship car for six years from 1977. At the “Rabbit Cup” in the USA, Volkswagen quickly advanced to a record winner and multiple champion with the Golf GTI and its racing driver Paul Hacker. There were also records at the “VW Golf GTI Cup” in Germany. In the 1978 season, Walter Struckmann from Hanover won all ten races in a row with his Golf GTI. And Berthold Bermel from Krefeld took part in all Golf GTI Cup races from the premiere on Sylt in 1977 to the final in 1982 at the Nürburgring. The Golf GTI also won a world championship and two German titles in rallying. The Golf GTI also shone at the famous 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with almost 50 class and numerous group victories in the race held since 1970. Golf II GTI (1984 - 1991) – A stroke of genius with up to 160 PS The successful follow-up model offers great variety under the hood: The Golf II GTI is available with five different engine variants that deliver between 79 kW/107 PS and 118 kW/160 PS. Conceptually and with its design DNA, it resumes the course of the first generation. The GTI insignia – especially the red stripe on the radiator grille and the check pattern on the sports seats – become cult. In 1986, the new 16V engine made its debut, producing 102 kW/139 PS and driving the GTI up to 208 kilometers per hour. As before, the significantly more spacious interior is dominated by sports seats, a black headliner and the four-spoke steering wheel with the four round horn buttons familiar from its predecessor. Finally, the sporty flagship is the GTI G60, which was launched in 1990 and has an engine output of 118 kW/160 PS.