The History of the VW Golf GTI

Breaking Down the Evolution of This Game-Changing Vehicle

Every great vehicle has its humble beginnings, and the VW Golf GTI is no exception. Originally kicking off in the mid-1970s, the VW Golf GTI has set the standard for what a speedy, small compact car can do when it’s outfitted with sizable power under the hood.

Although many of the following will not be available at a Volkswagen dealership near you, it is fun to take a trip down memory lane to reminisce about some of these amazing vehicles that changed the landscape in modern driving.

1976 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 1)
The birth of a legend in the making. The VW Golf GTI hit the market with a 1.6L inline-four engine yielding 110 horsepower and speeds up to 110 mph, making it speedier than the entry-level Porsches of the day.

1985 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 2)
The second VW Golf GTI kept roughly the same design scheme, however, it was given a little boost in the performance department. The Mark 2 provided drivers with 137 horsepower with the 16-valve version.

1991 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 3)
The third generation VW Golf GTI saw some design advancements that made the vehicle sleeker and more modern. The engine also got an upgrade with a 2.0L in-line four that yielded 115 horsepower.

1997 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 4)
The VW Golf GTI Mark 4 went on to become the best-selling vehicle in Europe in 2001. Both the wheelbase and the length of the car grew slightly, and the car gained a good 200 pounds of curb weight. The Mark 4 got a lot of comparisons in the press to BMW. It was initially offered with two different engines: a 2.0L 4-cylinder and a 2.8L narrow-angle VR6 that yielded up to 174 horsepower.

2004 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 5)
It took a while, but VW finally released a brand-new Golf GTI for the new millennium in 2004. It was the first GTI to offer a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which earned the vehicle plenty of rave reviews from critics. The car could go from zero to 60 in 6.9 seconds when using DSG. It also had a top speed of 146 mph, officially granting it “speedy whip” status in automobile circles.

2009 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 6)
Drivers didn’t have to wait as long this time to receive the next iteration of the VW Golf GTI. The chassis development was supervised by German racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. The Mark 6 came with a 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine that yielded 210 horsepower in international markets (200 in the U.S.). This iteration of the VW Golf GTI also received a considerable facelift with a new honeycomb grille and dual exhaust at the corners of the rear bumper.

2013 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 7)
In a big change for the Volkswagen Golf GTI lineup, the Mark 7 was the first to be lighter in curb weight than its predecessors. The redesign also saw some structural redesigns to strengthen its build for better handling with significant bumps in performance. The vehicle could get up to 230 horsepower with the Performance Package model. Drivers were able to hit 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds. The Mark 7 would see several different facelifts during its reign as king of the compact vehicles in the VW stable.

2021 – VW Golf GTI (Mark 8)
The most recent form for the VW Golf GTI is offered as a four-door hatchback for the first time in its illustrious history. As you’d expect, VW designers and engineers pulled out all the stops when it came to redesigning this staple in automobiles. The future-forward design and elegant feature package makes it a force to be reckoned with on the road. It yields 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque. There are few opponents on the road more formidable than the Mark 8.

Looking for the Latest VW Golf GTI? Find it at a Volkswagen Dealership Near You!

Now that you know some of the history behind the VW Golf GTI, the next step is for you to get behind the wheel of the Mark 8 so that you can see how it handles in person. The best way to do this is by visiting a Volkswagen dealership near you. Pay us a visit at VW Cypress, which is conveniently located at 19550 Northwest Fwy. in Houston.

If you’re looking for other types of new cars for sale in Houston, VW Cypress can help you out there, too. We carry a wide variety of SUVs, compacts, and stylish sedans that are made to fit any driving style and family dynamic.

We also carry a wide variety of used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. Additionally, we are always running great deals on VW products and services in our specials section.

Call us at (281) 532-8824 to speak with a member of our sales team or to set up a test drive appointment. You can also email us directly using the contact form on our website.

Are you a current VW owner in need of routine maintenance or service? Contact the VW service center today to set-up your appointment.

Important notification to our customers: Volkswagen Cypress SALES operations will move into its new location at 11411 Farm to Market 1960 West in Houston, TX, after the holidays! SERVICE operations will also move to a new location after the holidays. Its new stand-alone building can be found at 10828 Steepletop Drive in Houston, TX, located just one minute away from the SALES.

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