In 1976 the GTI created a new market segment, the hot-hatch – a reliable performance car that was easy to live with.
VW’s Wolfsburg based engineers kept ahead of the opposition from Ford and other rival manufacturers by gradually improving the GTI which, from the outset, had been in greater demand than initially expected. Stylish wraparound bumpers arrived 1979, whilst much needed rust protection and a 5-speed gearbox were added in 1980.
In September 1982 the car was given a greatly improved 1.8-litre engine which, when added to the previous year's less austere interior and larger rear lights, created the definitive MK1 GTI modelled here.