VW Celebrates 50 Years of the GTI With 3 Concepts

Since 1976, the Volkswagen GTI has been a trendsetter in automotive culture. As the first hot hatch, it’s created multiple generations of competitors that have never been able to quite capture the hearts and minds of car buyers the way the GTI has.  

50 Years Young 

To mark 50 years and 2.5 million cars sold to date, Volkswagen is celebrating its birthday with a series of global events, three unique concepts, and the release of the first-ever electric GTI.  

A GTI and A 12 Cylinder Engine  

The concepts are not new to the GTI world, as they debuted in 2007, 2013, and 2014. However, they are a reminder of what the spirit and creativity of the car mean to enthusiasts. The first concept, the GTI W-12, was a car that answered a question no one had. What if Volkswagen stuffed a Bentley 12-cylinder engine behind the front seats of a fifth-generation GTI? What we got was a powerhouse with 650 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque from a 6.0-liter W-12, a dual-clutch transmission, and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. To accomplish this, VW lowered the car by three inches and widened it by six to work properly, then put a rear axle and brakes from a Lamborghini, the engine from a twin-turbo Bentley Continental, a carbon fiber roof, and rear suspension and such from an Audi R8.  

Before Becoming a Farmer, Jeremy Clarkson Reviewed Cars 

In the debut episode of series 10, Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson enjoyed a hot drive in the GTI W-12. He said it wasn’t a particularly savage car in terms of performance, but it just wouldn’t stop going once you pushed the accelerator. While the car was originally painted Candy White, it has since been repainted Tornado Red.  

A Seemingly Simple Yet Special Concept  

The next car VW showed off was the Design Vision GTI concept at the 2013 LA Auto Show. This special model featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produced 503 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, according to Volkswagen. Engineers widened a Mk7 GTI by 2.8 inches, lowered it to squat over the wheels, installed one-off 20-inch wheels with center locks, fitted carbon-ceramic brakes, and added special bodywork with new side air intakes and vents. The interior was inspired by the Audi R8 at the time and stripped for weight savings, with Alcantara and carbon-like appointments throughout the cabin, plus red door pulls instead of handles. Volkswagen ripped the rear seats out and put a massive X-brace in their place to stiffen the chassis.  

Fantastically Fast 

With a dual-clutch DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, VW said this unique GTI could reach 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and top out at 186 mph. This was quite a bit quicker off the line than the Mk7 GTI at the time, which, according to Car and Driver, required 5.6 seconds to 60, a brisk time even by today’s standards.  

The Most Unique GTI Ever 

Volkswagen followed the success of the previous two cars by introducing a very special one-off: a roadster built for Gran Turismo 6. The GTI Roadster offered the same twin-turbo V6 as the Design Vision GTI. The GTI Roadster, though, turns the GTI into a Speedster, with short windows and a windshield, plus scissor doors, a giant rear wing, and all-new bodywork and one-off wheels. With meatier tires and larger brakes, the 2014 GTI Roadster was quite possibly the most special of all the concepts.  

Volkswagen Means Value 

While the GTI is synonymous with performance and value, all Volkswagen vehicles are engineered and priced to offer more than you would expect for their reasonable prices. The 2026 models are some of the best values Volkswagen has ever offered, and Sisbarro Volkswagen has the best sales team to help you find the exact vehicle you want at the price you need.  

Why Choose Sisbarro Volkswagen  

It’s time for you to treat yourself to a visit to Sisbarro Volkswagen. At Sisbarro Volkswagen, we are proud to offer the best prices and services on both new and used Volkswagen models. Our sales team will work to find you the car you want, and our finance department will help you get the best possible price. When it’s time to service your car, our service department will work hard to ensure your car or SUV receives the best care imaginable.   

We thank you for trusting us, and we look forward to serving you soon. 

Tags: Concept, Design Vision GTI, GTI, Jeremy Clarkson, LA Auto Show, Speedster, W-12
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