The Volkswagen Golf GTI, a staple of the automotive world for over five decades, is turning 50. In celebration, the German automaker has decided to revisit some of its most iconic concept cars from the past. A collection of retro concepts, including the GTI Roadster, Design Vision GTI, and GTI W12-650, has been unveiled on Volkswagen's global media site. The GTI Roadster, introduced in 2013, was based on the Mk VII Golf and featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter VR6 engine, producing 503 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. It boasted a 0-to-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. The GTI Roadster was part of the Vision Gran Turismo series, designed for the popular racing game franchise. The Design Vision GTI, unveiled in 2013, was essentially a Mk VII Golf with an upgraded engine, producing 78 lb-ft more torque. This concept was also part of the ...
The Volkswagen Golf GTI, a staple of the automotive world for over five decades, is turning 50. In celebration, the German automaker has decided to revisit some of its most iconic concept cars from the past. A collection of retro concepts, including the GTI Roadster, Design Vision GTI, and GTI W12-650, has been unveiled on Volkswagen’s global media site.
The GTI Roadster, introduced in 2013, was based on the Mk VII Golf and featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter VR6 engine, producing 503 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. It boasted a 0-to-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph. The GTI Roadster was part of the Vision Gran Turismo series, designed for the popular racing game franchise.
The Design Vision GTI, unveiled in 2013, was essentially a Mk VII Golf with an upgraded engine, producing 78 lb-ft more torque. This concept was also part of the Vision Gran Turismo series and featured a wide body and a more aggressive stance.
The most radical of the three concepts, the GTI W12-650, is a Mk V Golf with a mid-mounted 6.0-liter W12 engine from a Bentley Continental GT. This behemoth of a car produces 641 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach 0-to-62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.
While the current GTI is still an impressive vehicle, Volkswagen’s decision to showcase these retro concepts serves as a reminder of the brand’s rich history. The automaker could benefit from revisiting its own heritage, especially in the face of a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
The GTI’s 50th-anniversary Edition is expected to be an even more impressive vehicle, boasting performance that rivals that of a Golf R. However, the current crop of concepts serves as a nostalgic reminder of how far Volkswagen has come – or rather, how far it has fallen.
—
COMMENTS