Volkswagen: Pioneer of the GTI class turns 45
FAST AND BELOVED A milestone in international automotive history is Volkswagen's Golf GTI, which in 1976 laid the foundation for an extraordinary career and even for the new category of power compacts. The collection of the ZeitHaus automobile museum in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg spans all brands and includes around 260 vehicles from more than 60 manufacturers. As [...]
The collection of the ZeitHaus automobile museum in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg spans all brands and includes around 260 vehicles from more than 60 manufacturers.
The first generation of the Volkswagen Golf GTI appeared in 1976 as a milestone in the history of the automobile. With this compact sports car, which is still successful today, VW founded the popular category of power compacts.
Reliability and a lot of temperament
Two years before the market launch of the GTI, the plan was to develop a sports Golf. With a 110-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an unladen weight of just 860 kilograms, the GTI achieved a top speed of 183 km/h.
With its combination of reliability and temperament, it quickly became a bestseller, especially since its price of 15,790 francs was quite reasonable at the time.
From 1982 with 1.8 liter displacement and 112 hp
The characteristic features of the classic were the golf ball-look shift knob, the sporty seats in a check pattern as well as the three-spoke sports steering wheel and the red-framed radiator grille.
The Golf GTI made its debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in 1975. From 1982, the sporty compact car could also be ordered as an optional five-door model and with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and 112 hp.
In seven production years, 461,690 first-series Golf GTI models were built from the 5,000 originally planned. The high-performance compact car thus achieved cult status and, as an icon, laid the foundation for today's 45-year success story.
