Volkswagen resurrects three-door Golf GTI

VOLKSWAGEN has announced it will launch a limited-edition three-door Performance version of its updated Golf 7.5 GTI, reviving the three-door hot hatch that was discontinued in Australia in 2013 for the release of the Golf Mk7.

The GTI Performance Edition 1 will be released in an Australia-only limited run of just 150 examples in August, to coincide with the launch of the updated five-door Golf GTI and Golf R.

There is also the potential for the three-door Golf GTI to be reintroduced into the line-up permanently, to fill the void left by the three-door Scirocco R that was released as a swansong Wolfsburg Edition in November before being discontinued in Australia.

Volkswagen Australia general manager of communications Paul Pottinger explained that the GTI Performance variant would be removed as a permanent fixture in the Golf line-up and would instead be used roughly once every year to release a series of different special edition variants.

In reference to the possibility of a three-door GTI becoming a permanent addition to the range with the departure of the Scirocco, Mr Pottinger added that “we’re looking at every possible variant of GTI we can get and expanding our Golf performance range in every way we can”.

Under the bonnet of the GTI Performance Edition 1 is the same 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine powering the GTI, with power boosted by 11kW/20Nm to 180kW/370Nm.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, while handling is improved with the addition of the limited-slip differential (LSD) borrowed from the GTI 40 Years, as well as bigger brakes for added stopping power.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the GTI Performance Edition 1 is expected to sell for roughly the same price as the GTI 40 Years, 500 of which went on sale last year priced from $48,990 before on-roads for the DSG version.

Other features on the GTI Performance Edition 1 include 19-inch Brescia alloy wheels, honeycomb-stitched upholstery, LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, active info display, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, park assist, dynamic light assist, blind spot monitor with the rear traffic alert and dark tinted rear and rear side windows.

Also included is a merchandise pack valued at $340, which adds a sport bag, umbrella, cup, folding box and beach towel.

The Edition 1 will be offered in two colours – white silver metallic and dark iron blue metallic.

The non-performance Golf Mark 7.5 range lands in Australia a month earlier in July, removing the base 92TSI variant from the line-up and lightly updating styling and standard equipment.