Golf GTI Hits 35, Gets Stronger Than Ever

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is celebrating its 35th birthday in style with a limited edition boasting more power and a higher specification.

On sale from today, the Golf GTI Edition 35 features a more powerful 1,984 cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces a total of 235 PS (233 bhp), 25 PS more than the standard GTI. Peak power arrives at 5,500 rpm and the peak torque of 300 Nm (221 lbs ft) is available from just 2,200 rpm. That extra power drops the 0-62 mph time to just 6.6 seconds and top speed goes up to 153 mph.

Visually the Edition 35 will hardly be a surprise as Volkswagen had already unveiled the car at the Wörthersee tuning show in June. The production model remains faithful to that show car, benefitting from a quick makeover in the shape of a new body kit (skirts and front bumper) and a set of unique lightweight 18-inch ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels finished in ‘Dark Steel’ or plain silver.

More subtle cosmetic changes include gloss black door mirror casings, rear windows with tinted glass and rear tinted LED lights. Just to make sure you know this is more than a standard GTI there are ‘Edition 35′ badges on the front wings.

On the inside are a few ’35’ badges on the head restraints of the heated Vienna leather front sports seats, door sills and floor mats, along with a red stripe on the seatbelts. There is also a return of the now famous GTI ‘golf ball’ gearknob which is available on both manual and DSG transmissions. Standard kit also includes bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Prices for the GTI Edition 35 start at £27,525 for the manual three-door model while the optional DSG gearbox can be added for £1,295 and you can can choose the convenience of five doors for an extra £585.

GTI fans will be pleased to know that there is no restriction on the number of Edition 35s being sold. Dealers are taking orders now and I guess they will do as long as people are willing to buy them.