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Mk1 Golf GTI
Volkswagen launched the original Golf in 1974, while it was still riding high on the flower-power Beetle. The Giorgetto Giugiario penned lines, crisp handling and reliability were perfect for the era but the Golf really took off with the introduction of the GTI in 1975. Armed with a fuel-injected 110bhp 1.6-litre engine, 810kg kerb weight and a chassis to match, it offered performance and practicality in one package that was also affordable to many. The first real 'hot hatch' the Mk1 GTI received a 1.8-litre engine in 1982 along with new quad headlamps. By the time production ended for the Mk1, Volkswagen had successfully made the transition to mainstream car production.
The production version of the Mk7 Golf GTI will make its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. With more power and torque as well as a better handling chassis and a DSG gearbox, the newest GTI will undoubtedly carry on Volkswagen's proud 'hot hatch' heritage, but with nearly 40-years of history behind it, there's more than enough material to see how the Golf GTI has developed over the years.