When Volkswagen introduced the Golf VI at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, it brought the GTI version too, with three and five-door bodies.
Even though it wasn’t the fastest hot-hatch anymore, the Golf GTI remained a cult car. Volkswagen offered even more powerful versions for the Golf, such as the Golf R, but the GTI remained a sought-after vehicle. The five-door version was the perfect mix between a compact family hatchback and a sporty vehicle. But the 2008 Golf was, actually, a major facelift for the Golf MK5 named as MK6.

Despite having five doors, the car kept the original features of the three-door GTI. It featured an aggressive styling with a big central grill in the front bumper. A pair of side scoops on the outer sides of the apron helped to cool the brakes. The main radiator grille sported two horizontal silver slats and the GTI’s chromed badge. To complete the sporty image, the 2008 GTI featured a short roof spoiler and two exhausts mounted on the outer sides of the rear bumper.

Inside, the three-spoke steering wheel featured a sporty design and the GTI letters on the lower spoke. The dashboard layout was similar to a well-equipped Golf, with the infotainment unit on the center stack, above the climate control unit. Its unique Tartan upholstery resembled the original Golf MK1 GTI. Thanks to a five-door configuration, it was a suitable car for a family but quick enough for a sporty drive.

Under the hood, Volkswagen installed a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired to a standard 6-speed manual, and the power went to the front wheels. As an option, a 6-speed DSG (dual-clutch) automatic was available. Two paddle-shifters were placed behind the steering wheel for + and – gear changes if the DSG was installed.