Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance variant will return with the upcoming launch of its Mk7.5 small-car range update, but will be used to denote a limited-edition three-door model, in lieu of the ongoing GTI Performance top tier of the past.
Dubbed the GTI Performance Edition 1 to celebrate the release of the standard five-door Golf GTI and R updates in August, the special-edition variant will be limited to 150 examples and marks the first time Volkswagen has had a three-door Golf GTI on offer since 2013.
The limited model will share the same 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine as the Golf GTI, but power in the Performance Edition 1 is boosted by 11kW and 20Nm to 180kW/370Nm – which is sent exclusively to the front axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. GTI fans will recognise these outputs from the also-limited GTI 40 Years from 2016.
No zero to 100km/h times were revealed by Volkswagen but expect to see the Performance Edition 1 hit the landmark speed quicker than its regular Golf GTI siblings, which can achieve the run in about 6.4 seconds.
Volkswagen has also fitted bigger brakes to ensure the Performance Edition 1 has enough stopping power to cope with the extra performance, as well as the limited-slip differential (LSD) lifted from last year's GTI 40 years to make the most of the increased oomph.
The special three-door Golf GTI will also sport 19-inch Brescia alloy wheels, LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators and honeycomb-stitched upholstery to distinguish itself from its standard siblings, while safety technologies will include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring.
Buyers will have a choice of two colours – white silver metallic and dark iron blue metallic – and will also be treated to a merchandise pack valued at $340 which includes a sports bag, beach towel, umbrella, cup and folding box.
Volkswagen Australia is yet to release pricing for the new special edition Golf, but expect to see the Performance Edition 1 to sell for close to the $48,990 before on-roads of the GTI 40 years.
While the special edition Golf GTI is constrained in production numbers for now, Volkswagen Australia could also reintroduce the three-door hot hatch as ongoing fixture in its range to replace the discontinued Scirocco R.
Volkswagen PR boss Paul Pottinger said "we're looking at every possible variant of GTI we can get and expanding our Golf Performance range in every way we can".
Going forward, Volkswagen Australia is also expected to release a new special edition Golf GTI Performance annually in limited numbers.
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