We cannot say that the Golf GTI Whether it was the result of chance, it was the result of a top secret project designed by Volkswagen. Alfons Löwenberg, who undoubtedly had a great ability to anticipate what the tastes of the future would be. He was responsible for taking the first step and in 1973 he sent a message to his teammates to form a sports car in the development phase.
First reactions and beginning
At first, this message from Löwenberg received few responses, but the be persistent He formed a small team, so that the so-called “secret society” of Sport Golf was created.
The first proposals were made on the Sciroccoso a 1.5 twin carburetor engine was used, which increased the power from 85 to 100 hp.
What happened was that the path was not the best. Even though the Sport Golf was supposed to be sporty, the practicality of the original Golf was not to be sacrificed.
In search of the ideal engine
Although the development director considered the model very expensive, the team was not stopped. A great spirit that led to the search for an engine with great power and efficiency.
Luck finally came when Anton Konrad received the invitation to test the Audi 80 GTE. When he felt the 110 hp engine, Konrad knew that it was the perfect engine for his project.
A key decision
Convinced that they had the perfect engine, there was a meeting with the head of R&D at Audi, to present the proposal. They were to supply five thousand GTE engines for this new sporty Golf. A moment that made it a reality.
The presentation of the Golf GTI
After the green light, the project was presented to the Volkswagen Board of Directors. The fact that there was the Sport Golf was less of a surprise, assuming confirmation of a secret hinted at in company rumors.
So the chairman of the board, more precisely what he received from the development department, was the official order to build the sportiest version of the Golf.
What were the technical aspects of this version?
The test manager chose 13 inch 175/70 tires and they were installed stabilizer bars on both axles. Similarly, the shock absorber and spring system has been adjusted, representing a balance between sportiness and comfort.
Design details
Not only the mechanical aspects, they have the design of the Golf GTi that was important for it to become an icon. Among these are the red piping on the grille and the GTI initialsa larger front spoiler, plastic side skirts and a black interior roof cladding.
The final touch: the interiors
In the vehicle, of course, the sports seats covered in tartan fabric and whose gear lever knob was shaped like a golf ball marked a trend, to which they added GTI aesthetic finishes.
The emphasis on design not only ended up emphasizing the sportiness of the model, but also ended up making the Golf GTI easy to recognize on the road.
More than just a vehicle
Since the launch of this model, the Golf GTI has not only attracted the attention of all car fans, but has also become almost synonymous with passion and great performance.
All this, in addition, combined with great innovation, practicality and an attractive design that have earned it an important site in the automotive industry.
Over time, the Golf GTI has evolved, but the essence remains: a highly accessible and practical sports car that continues to defy expectations.
However, we can say that the Golf GTI has evolved, but we can say that the essence remains intactsince it is a practical sports car and each of the versions that appear on the market promises new sensations.
And the last generation?
A few weeks ago, the restyling of the eighth generation of the Golf arrived on the market, which also has its GTI version, where the power reaches 265 hp. A model that reaches a new milestone, since it goes under the seconds from 0 to 100 km / h.
