The Volkswagen Golf GTI is turning 35 and to mark its birthday VW has announced a limited edition model with more power.
Packing 232bhp, the Golf GTI 35 shares its 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine with the standard GTI, but should offer a quicker 0-62mph time. VW has yet to confirm performance figures for the GTI 35.
From the outside, the GTI 35 has a new front bumper, unique alloy wheels and red-painted brake calipers. There are also "35" badges on the door sills, while the front seats have "35" stitched into them. Other changes for the interior are the honeycomb effect cloth used for the seats in place of the standard GTI's tartan cloth and a classic golf ball-style gear knob as a nod to the original 1970s GTI.
Volkswagen will officially unveil the GTI 35 at a huge gathering of VW enthusiasts at Wothersee in Austria on 1 June. The car is already available to buy in Germany with a starting price of €30,425, which should equate to around £28,000 when the car goes on sale in the UK later in 2011.
Alisdair Suttie - 11 May 2011
