![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4HLE4QHJEU2KCS4G4XOJWU7334.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf4084487fbe7e0a5b1e46812d47c971e97db98ad268f8b70593d1a98ae9b1aa&width=400&height=225)
The Mk8 GTI has higher pressure fuel injectors, and develops 242hp
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYNZ4FDEXF4GGVUOFWZQGICNX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=03d9607359ebcd56ce08d6ca6a5aa813c60bc1f611d6202e05bf8409c7181933&width=400&height=225)
The 1976 Mk1 GTI is the most coveted model in the Golf GTI range and a valuable collectible. All photos courtesy Golf GTI
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MLKUPHQBLF5H2ETGMA7VYSWFUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3985859db71cbbf1c32828281a15e60cb1bc34acfb68d228c4fcac751dc1c575&width=400&height=225)
The 1984 edition of the Mk2 GTI featured a 112hp engine, followed by a 16-valve engine making 129hp in 1986 and 160hp in 1990.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIGTUUZQ35QAGGOUCYXO4N372M.jpg?smart=true&auth=12826e80530c7d2edae96e867f2b6b35aab664d8beac9f32bfbbce43cf705661&width=400&height=225)
The Mk3 GTI of 1991 was a bit of a flop, with the base vehicle slower than its predecessor
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7O4SLV5Z4WUPYPZ5VCYRBPG5IM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0baaab73d4922f7a0eba39b45a3f00f42d8bd9e0489eb02d92aa89dcab606803&width=400&height=225)
With a sluggish engine and bulbous design, 1998's Mk4 GTI also failed to impress
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7WD4LNIZVCJF6AWTJ3Y3RGIJYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a46dd9ef4a284254c1f723d23d6c188afb88081df3bb135fc55db67869d609a6&width=400&height=225)
The agile and powerful Mk5 model rekindled the GTI magic in 2004
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CECRPO4OORQMDKVFKIFFPC4JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d541d1f815732bf3a53eecadb70515d78061a58871b6e53dc0170d5d7cd3cd8b&width=400&height=225)
The Mk6 GTI made up for its dowdy appearance with a dynamic performance
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OPK64QXD327HJGHWTNJIX5ZBN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd66e23e0b3a2a6e68b556e3838f025292f3b834ec01584097f2c6fcf5568cab&width=400&height=225)
The high-performing Mk7 GTI was the first to reach a top speed of 250kph.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4HLE4QHJEU2KCS4G4XOJWU7334.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf4084487fbe7e0a5b1e46812d47c971e97db98ad268f8b70593d1a98ae9b1aa&width=400&height=225)
The Mk8 GTI has higher pressure fuel injectors, and develops 242hp
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WYNZ4FDEXF4GGVUOFWZQGICNX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=03d9607359ebcd56ce08d6ca6a5aa813c60bc1f611d6202e05bf8409c7181933&width=400&height=225)
The 1976 Mk1 GTI is the most coveted model in the Golf GTI range and a valuable collectible. All photos courtesy Golf GTI
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MLKUPHQBLF5H2ETGMA7VYSWFUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=3985859db71cbbf1c32828281a15e60cb1bc34acfb68d228c4fcac751dc1c575&width=400&height=225)
The 1984 edition of the Mk2 GTI featured a 112hp engine, followed by a 16-valve engine making 129hp in 1986 and 160hp in 1990.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QIGTUUZQ35QAGGOUCYXO4N372M.jpg?smart=true&auth=12826e80530c7d2edae96e867f2b6b35aab664d8beac9f32bfbbce43cf705661&width=400&height=225)
The Mk3 GTI of 1991 was a bit of a flop, with the base vehicle slower than its predecessor
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7O4SLV5Z4WUPYPZ5VCYRBPG5IM.jpg?smart=true&auth=0baaab73d4922f7a0eba39b45a3f00f42d8bd9e0489eb02d92aa89dcab606803&width=400&height=225)
With a sluggish engine and bulbous design, 1998's Mk4 GTI also failed to impress
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7WD4LNIZVCJF6AWTJ3Y3RGIJYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a46dd9ef4a284254c1f723d23d6c188afb88081df3bb135fc55db67869d609a6&width=400&height=225)
The agile and powerful Mk5 model rekindled the GTI magic in 2004
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5CECRPO4OORQMDKVFKIFFPC4JI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d541d1f815732bf3a53eecadb70515d78061a58871b6e53dc0170d5d7cd3cd8b&width=400&height=225)
The Mk6 GTI made up for its dowdy appearance with a dynamic performance
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OPK64QXD327HJGHWTNJIX5ZBN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd66e23e0b3a2a6e68b556e3838f025292f3b834ec01584097f2c6fcf5568cab&width=400&height=225)
The high-performing Mk7 GTI was the first to reach a top speed of 250kph.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4HLE4QHJEU2KCS4G4XOJWU7334.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf4084487fbe7e0a5b1e46812d47c971e97db98ad268f8b70593d1a98ae9b1aa&width=400&height=225)
The Mk8 GTI has higher pressure fuel injectors, and develops 242hp
Volkswagen celebrates 45 years of Golf GTI with special Clubsport model
Despite its chequered history, the hot hatchback remains a fan favourite. We look at the ups and downs, and the model’s remarkable origins
Amit Benjamin
23 March, 2021
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