2006 Volkswagen Gti Review

Getting Better With Age

It seems like yesterday when the GTI nameplate was brand new. While stuffing high-performance engines into tiny little automobiles took place before Volkswagen built anything other than the Beetle, the GTI was historically significant as it was the first true hot hatchback, an archetypal  vehicle which set the pace for an entire generation. Now, five generations and countless other wanna-bes later, the GTI is approaching its 30th birthday (at least in Europe). Volkswagen is celebrating this momentous occasion by creating a special concept car built off the GTI, appropriately called the GTI Edition 30.

The latest GTI is a car thats bringing the legendary marque back into the limelight.  Over the years, the revered hatchback has transformed from a buzzy, lightweight compact to a comfortable, luxurious cruiser; even though the new car is bigger and heavier than the generation before, featuring even more luxuries and amenities, its bucked the trend of the modern GTI by bringing greater driver involvement back to the mix.  This is of course, not to mention a heavy dose of retro styling cues, including those very interesting plaid seating surfaces.

Like many of Volkswagen Auto Groups performance products, the GTI features the famed 2.0T engine, which utilizes a low-pressure turbocharger in conjunction to FSI direct injection. Generating 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque at an easily accessible 1,800 rpm, its managed to find its way under the hoods of everything from VWs Jetta and Passat, to Audis A3, A4 and the brand new TT. Like its predecessor, the 1.8T, the new 2.0T is starting to get a reputation with the tuners, and VW has certainly caught on. For the Edition 30 concept car, Volkswagen has tweaked the output to generate 30 additional horsepower, which, coincidentally is an extra horsepower for each of the candles on its birthday cake.

While Volkswagen hasnt released any figures other than the gain in engine performance, its easy to imagine what the 30 extra ponies have done. The GTIs natural competitors in North America - the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged and Honda Civic Si - would be left in a wake of turbocharger hiss if it were to show up on our shores, while it would bring the cars horsepower close enough to compete directly with the Subaru Impreza WRX. Meanwhile, over in Europe, the GTI Edition 30 could act as an important stopgap between the standard GTI and the 250-horsepower V6-powered R32 model. Currently, the GTI takes 6.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, but that should be neatly trimmed down to 6.1 seconds with the performance boost.

Aside from the extra boost in power, the GTI Edition 30 packs a whole host of visual goodies that should make enthusiasts and tuners alike quite pleased. Compared to the regular GTI, the Edition 30s stance is more aggressive thanks to deeper, body-colored front and rear valances, and a broader side skirt. The car also features special Edition 30 badging on the rear hatch, and rear taillights that have been tinted dark red, as opposed to the clear lenses of the current car. Of course, four additions that are hard to miss are its 18-inch porthole wheels, which have been painted in flat black.   

Inside, Volkswagen has made its best effort to make the GTIs already stunning interior more noteworthy by adding special commemorative details. Driver and passenger sit in sporty race-like bucket seats that have been trimmed in Interlagos plaid cloth with leather-trimmed bolsters and headrest. Throughout the cabin, youll find little things, such as a new shift knob, which is shaped like a golf ball, like the original cars shifter, as opposed to the round metal and leather unit currently fitted; red stitching lines the sports steering wheel, while the metal GTI placard thats on the steering wheels base is now bright red, as opposed to aluminum finish. Elsewhere, Edition 30 logos have been scattered about: on the metal door sills, floor mats, and more.
                                           
Currently the 30th Birthday Edition is just a one-off concept car, one of a couple of in-house-tuned versions designed to invoke high-octane GTI memories inside all of those whose memories go back far enough to appreciate the special attention paid to them - like the pesky little rabbit that will soon adorn Golf models in North America. However, given that 30 years is a pretty significant number on anyones calendar let alone the celebration of a single models run in the automotive world, we wouldnt be surprised to see something similar enter limited production. Previously, VW released special edition GTIs when the car hit 20 and 25 years of age, not to mention a number of other important dates. Judging by public response (which, will without a doubt be very strong and positive) its almost certain well see a special edition of the GTI in the near future.