Still going strong today, the VW Golf GTi actually started out as a part-time project by a group of VW engineers. Initially, it was expected that only limited numbers of the Golf would be built. However, when it was made available to the buying public, the car proved to be much more popular than expected.
The GTi is a true 80s classic as it was the first mass-marketed car to be branded a "hot hatch". The Renault 5 Alpine (called Gordini in the UK) was actually the first "hot hatch", but the GTI was the first car to have mass-market appeal. It was basically a family car (for practicality), but with a totally different (and much-improved) engine for extra speed, and with stiffer suspension, anti-roll bars and disc brakes all added for better handling.
The first model was a 3 door with a 1.6 litre, four cylinder engine with Bosch K-jetronic fuel injection. It wasn't until 1979 that British buyers could get hold of a right-hand drive GTi, and 5 door models were never made available in the UK. Eventually, A 1.8 engine was also introduced before the release of the Mk2.
