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Volkswagen GTI
The name GTI was first used in 1976, in reference to Volkswagen's high-performance trim level of the Golf (known as the Rabbit when it debuted in North America in 1975). The Volkswagen GTI is widely credited with beginning the first in the hot hatch or European hatchback genre. While a GTI was released for the 2006 model year, Volkswagen redesigned the car in early 2006, calling it the "New GTI."
See Wikicars' comprehensive Volkwagen GTI Review.
Recent Changes
Although the 2006 model remains largely unchanged from its fourth generation platform, the newly redesigned fifth generation "New GTI" features some new and improved updates.
Styles and Major Options
There is only one style available for the Volkswagen GTI, the 2-door GTI 2.0T. This trim comes with the following options:
- Alloy wheels
- Power sunroof
- Standard 6-speed manual transmission
- Turbocharged 200-hp engine
- Anti-lock braking system
- Electronic brake-force distribution
Pricing
Today's actual prices for the 2006 Volkswagen GTI can be found at CarsDirect.
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GTI Trims |
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GTI Mk V |
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MSRP |
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$21,990 |
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Invoice |
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$20,240 |
Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
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GTI Specs |
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4-Cyl. 2.0L 6-Speed
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4-Cyl. 2.0L 6-Speed
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MPG |
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25/31 |
24/31 |
Reliability
Safety
The GTI comes with the following standard safety features:
- 4-wheel Anti-lock braking system
- Brake Assist
- Stability Control
- Front, Side, and Curtain airbags
- Occupancy Sensor
Photos
Colors
The Volkswagen GTI comes in the following colors, but GTI colors may vary by trim:
Exterior
- Black Magic
- Candy White
- Reflex Silver
- Silverstone Gray
- Tornado Red
- United Gray
Interior
- Black
- Black/Gray
- Interlagos
Main Competitors
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- Honda Civic Si
- Mazda RX-8
- Mitsubishi Eclipse
- Pontiac GTO
- Ford Mustang
- Honda S2000
Hybrid Models
There are currently no hybrid models of the GTI.
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
Criticisms
- Fast, but heavy (weighs almost as much as the Volkswagen Passat)
Current Generation
The Golf V GTI is hailed as a return-to-form for the progenitor of the genre. The Golf GTI features a 2.0 litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine with FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) direct-injection technology, which produces 200 bhp. It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes, and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual, or a 6-speed automatic DSG gearbox. The concept GTI was first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The first production model was initially unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris in September 2004 and went on sale around the world shortly thereafter. At the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006 the GTI made its long awaited North American debut in 3-door guise. The new GTI has a considerable increase in price over the previous model, mainly due to the features mentioned above and the fact that the exterior itself had not seen such a dramatic aesthetic change in years. The innovative DSG transmission and the 200bhp engine all helped raise the retail price of the car.
Previous Generations
Generation 4
GTI 337 edition (2002)
The GTI 337 was officially introduced at the New York Auto Show and made it to dealers by late May 2002. The price of the GTI 337 was $22,225 in the U.S. and $32,900 in Canada. Only 1,500 units were produced for the American market with an additional 250 specifically for Canada, and it only came in Reflex Silver.
"The 337 name comes from the code name for the Golf model back in the early 1970s," said Frank Maguire, vice president in charge of sales and marketing at Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The GTI is the sport version of the Golf and since we didn't begin selling the GTI here until 1983, the name 337 seemed like a nice way to recognize the history of this vehicle and make it meaningful to our most enthusiastic drivers. This is a very unique car for the Volkswagen lover."
Starting with a 180 hp 1.8T GTI GLS, the following extra equipment and changes have been made:
18" BBS RC Wheels with 225/40-ZR18 High-Performance Summer Tires; greatly improved sport suspension — 1" lower overall ride height; Votex body kit with front valance, side skirts, rear hatch wing and rear valance with 3" chromed exhaust tip; 315 mm (12.3") diameter vented front and 256 mm (10") rear vented brakes with red powder coated calipers; all-new six-speed MQ350 transmission; Recaro front seats in special "Le Mans" red and black cloth with custom GTI embroidery; brushed aluminum interior trim accents; red stitching on steering wheel, shift boot, handbrake knob and seats; special golf ball shift knob; aluminum pedals with rubber inserts; stainless steel exhaust with mild sound tuning; red trimmed floor mats; special exterior retro GTI badging; Monsoon sound system (U.S. only); and more...
20th Anniversary Edition (2003, North America)
Due to the popularity of a commemorative 25th anniversary edition GTI produced in Europe in 2001 (GTI 337 edition in North America), Volkswagen of America produced 4,200 so-branded '20th Anniversary Edition' GTIs and 4000 were shipped to the United States and 200 to Canada. This event, in 2003 marked the 20th anniversary of the GTI's first introduction to the US, then called the Rabbit. Several special features distinguish this new GTI from the rest of the pack.
On the outside, the 20th came with throwback red-lettered 'GTI' logos on the left front and right rear. The rear was also accompanied by a vintage-look chrome rabbit. Blackened headlights and dark-tinted tail lights added a distinctive look, while Votex front, rear, and side skirts along with a hatch spoiler and special edition 18" OZ Aristo alloy wheels complete the exterior transformation. These models were produced only in three colors: Imola Yellow, Jazz Blue and Black Magic Pearl. Distribution of production was 50% Black magic pearl, 25% Jazz Blue and 25% Imola Yellow.
Inside, a few accents were noticeable. Unlike other models, there were no 'options' available. The only true option was ESP, Volkswagen's stability control feature. All 20ths had a sunroof, black leathered with silver stitching steering wheel, shifter boot and emergency brake handle, and sporty black cloth Recaro bucket seats with silver stitching accents and a red 'GTI' emblem embroidered in the middle of the back rest. Aluminum trim came standard, complete with a numbered nameplate above the center console identifying the exact production number (US production only) of the vehicle and a black headliner. This edition also came with a special golf ball shifter knob. Volkswagen's premier 8-speaker Monsoon(tm) stereo system was also standard.
Mechanically speaking, this was the average GTI 1.8T GLS with a few exceptions. A 6-speed manual MQ350 transmission marked the most notable departure from the norm, and upgraded suspension stiffened up the ride and lowered the car approximately 40 mm (uprated springs and shocks, increased sway bar diameters, and revised bushings in the rear). Upgraded disc brakes front (12.3" vented rotors) and rear (10.3" vented rotors) helped bring things to a stop, while red powder-coated calipers added a bit of flair to the package.
