Cult status. The first Golf GTI made its debut 42 years ago – and ever since this Volkswagen has been writing history as icon of compact sports cars. The current Golf GTI Performance has an output of 180 kW / 245 PS. Its 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine's maximum torque is 370 Nm (between 1,600 and 4,300 rpm). With this engine, the Golf GTI Performance accelerates to 100 km/h in a short 6.2 seconds. The sports car's top speed with a 6-speed manual transmission is 250 km/h. The top speed of the version with the optional 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) is 248 km/h. There are also slight differences in fuel economy: at 6.3 l/100 km (NEDC, combined), the DSG version of the Golf GTI Performance is 0.2 to 0.3 l/100 km more fuel efficient.
The Golf GTI Performance is characterised by exclusive features. Highlights include high-performance brakes (red painted brake calipers on front brakes), a front differential lock and the Active Info Display (fully digital instruments). Other features include LED dipped and main beam headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the agile progressive steering system, sports running gear, top sport seats in front, ambient lighting, 2- zone automatic "Air Care Climatronic" air conditioning, 17-inch "Brooklyn" alloy wheels, Composition Media infotainment system including phone and USB interfaces, rain sensor, automatically dipping rear-view mirror and leather-trimmed multifunction sport steering wheel. Naturally, the iconic models also feature typical GTI insignia such as the red stripe on the radiator grille and in the LED headlights as well as the classic "Clark" seat covers in plaid design.