Way out in advance of its North American on-sale date, the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI has been revealed online. The GTI MKVI is no slouch, and for a full rundown of the next GTI, it’d be worth clicking over to the GTI post.
Below you’ll find a brief rundown of each and every GTI generation, from MK 1 through to the MK 5 that sits outside your local VW dealership to the MK 6 ‘concept’ introduced today. While special editions may be pictured and specifications may’ve varied from model year to model year, the brief spec rundown below refers to the original of each GTI.
MK1 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Introduced in Europe: 1976
Introduced in North America: 1983
Engine: 1.6L, 108 horsepower
U.S. MSRP: $8,000 in 1983
MK2 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Introduced in Europe: 1983
Introduced in North America: 1985
Engine: 1.8L, 137 horsepower
U.S. MSRP: $11,280 in 1992
MK3 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Introduced in Europe: 1991
Introduced in North America: 1993
Engine: 2.0L, 115 horsepower & 2.8L V6, 172 horsepower
U.S. MSRP: $19,375 for VR6 in 1995
MK4 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Introduced in Europe: 1998
Introduced in North America: 2000
Engine: 2.0L, 115 horsepower & turbo 1.8L, 150 horsepower & 2.8L V6, 174 horsepower
U.S. MSRP: $19,225 for 1.8T in 2000
MK5 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
Introduced in Europe: 2002
Introduced in North America: 2006
Engine: turbo 2.0L, 197 horsepower
U.S. MSRP: $22,990 today
MK6 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
European Introduction: 2009
North American Introduction: est 2011
Engine: turbo 2.0L, 207 horsepower
Why do you think we always have to wait at least a couple years for VW to introduce their cars in NA?
Strange strategy, as NA consumers know they’re being left out and know what’s coming and can thus wait for it, hurting VW sales.
Strange strategy, as NA consumers know they're being left out and know what's coming and can thus wait for it, hurting VW sales.