Charting the performance of the GTI in America

(September 7, 2018) A new infographic illustrates the ever increasing performance of each generation of Volkswagen's GTI. The graphic focuses on the GTI's American history, celebrating its evolution with an overview of the car's performance. Charting horsepower, the graphic reveals how the hot hatch has improved from the MkI through today's MkVII.

“As European car enthusiasts, we’ve always appreciated the German design and engineering of the GTI, “ says Frank Derks, director of EuroSportTuning.com. "The enduring and ongoing improvements keeps these Volkswagens in a unique category of performance, so we decided to create this graphic that focuses on how much the horsepower has increased."

The MkI was close to the end of its run when the North American Rabbit GTI hit the market. It was the early 80s, and Europeans had been enjoying the Golf GTI since the late 70s. The GTI’s 1.8-liter powerplant had an 81 mm bore with a displacement of 1780cc. The engine combined with the right intake and exhaust valves meant this little performance car delivered 90 horses and 100 pound-feet of torque.

The Rabbit GTI rang in 1984 with an inline 4, iron block and aluminum head, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and a displacement that scooted up to 1781cc. By 1987, the MkII had a new DOHC, 16-valve version of the 1.8-liter I4 that produced 127 horses.

“The first generation of GTIs were affordable, perfect for drivers who needed reliability but also craved a little street racing,” Derks says. “These VWs have morphed into strong performance cars. The handling and horsepower just gets better and better."

Although the MkII ended in ’91-’92, the MkIII wasn't introduced in the US until 1995. This year, Volkswagen wedged a 2.8-liter, narrow angle V6 under the hood, amping the horsepower to 172. Despite performance increases, the GTI was still getting an efficient 17 mpg highway and 26 mpg city rating.

Four years after the GTI’s return to the states, the 1999 MkIV had a GLS trim with a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine that put out 150 horsepower and a GLX trim with a V6 with almost the same power. By 2002, the GTI’s 1.8-liter turbo increased its output to 180 horsepower.

The MkV introduced a 2.0-liter I4 base engine that supplied 197 horsepower. Despite a 371-pound weight increase from the previous generation, this hot hatch went from standing still to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds.

The MkVI base model gained even more horses, bringing it to 200 hp and shaving .1 second off its 0-60 time. This generation's 2010 model earned Automobile Magazine's Car of The Year award.

Volkswagen's hot hatch is now in the MkVII generation and has been since 2012. The 2018 model gained even more horsepower at 220 hp. Although today’s GTI isn't a true 'hot hatch' as it's only offered now in the four door configuration, it's a reliable performance powerhouse that's sure to continue being a staple in VW's lineup.