We’ve covered the Volkswagen Golf GTI 40 Years before, known everywhere besides Australia as the Golf GTI Clubsport, and now the 195kW hot hatch has now made its local debut, whereupon all 100 units in the Oz allocation fitted with a six-speed manual have already been sold out.
In all, Volkswagen Australia expects a total of 500 units of the GTI 40 Years edition to make landfall by the end of the next month, meaning there’s plenty more to go around even if it’s equipped with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch shifter.
The GTI 40 Years edition is Volkswagen’s 40th anniversary salute to the one of the most recognised nameplates in automotive history which began with the Mk1 Golf GTI that was first introduced at the 1975 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Coming in with a 2.0-litre turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder engine, as all recent hot petrol Golf’s do, the 40 Years edition gains an extra 33kW over the standard car and 26kW of power more than GTI Performance on which it is based. The car’s total 195kW and 350Nm can be bumped by way of a 10-second overboost function to 213kW and 380Nm, needing just 6.3 seconds to reach 100km/h from rest.
While the sheer power of the tuned up engine can worry Volkswagen’s R models, the lack of four-wheel drive means the Golf R’s 5.0 second 0-100km/h sprint isn’t being challenged. However, in other respects, the GTI 40 Years should make an R owner fearful.
Shared components include larger brakes, sophisticated locking front differential, unique 19” alloy wheels, and standard adaptive chassis control. But the GTI 40 Years has a bevy of new aesthetic touches over any Golf GTI yet offered.
It gains bespoke body kit that is arguably the first defining feature for the VW hot hatch aficionado which includes a new front bumper with larger air intakes as well as a two-piece roof spoiler that provides some meaningful downforce at speed.
Black and red contrasts are to be found on any given side of the car with its gloss paint finishes complemented by a contrasting black roof, black door mirrors, darkened LED tail lamps, as well red stitching on the steering wheel, seat belts, and floor mats. There’s also a revised rear bumper that incorporates a new larger diffuser, extended side sills, and larger diameter dual tail pipes.
At $48,990, and assuming both are selected with a DSG automatic transmission, the GTI 40 Years edition comes in at around $2,500 more than the GTI Performance. However, considering that 40 Years comes with nearly every optional extra of the Performance, that price bump paired with the added exclusivity makes it seem quite the bargain.
Versions of the GTI 40 Years that are come with a six-speed manual transmission (which are fitted as standard) are priced at $46,990, making them a less expensive and more desirable option seeing as how the GTI Performance is DSG-only. Those who don’t mind a weight penalty can also opt for a panoramic electric glass sunroof for $1,850.
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