AS FAR as Golf designs go, the current Mk7 is up there with the 1974 original and 1997 fourth gen for elegance, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the three-door body shape.

Sadly – limited-edition $47,990 GTI Performance Edition 1 aside – none have been available at an affordable price in Australia since this series launched in late 2012.

Until now, that is, with the GTI Original. An ode to the company’s first hot hatch, buyers also enjoy the benefits of a $3500 saving over the excellent five-door.

But is deleting adaptive dampers, sat-nav and keyless entry and start a step too far in one of our all-time favourite hot hatches?