When Volkswagen introduced the fifth generation of the Golf in 2003, its fan base awaited the GTI version, which was available in a traditional three-door version or a more conservative five-door configuration.
The German carmaker knew that it had to dust off the GTI nameplate and bring it back to its shine since the GTI’s fourth generation wasn’t that appreciated. It was more of a family car with a sportier engine, but it wasn’t a true hot-hatch. Well, the fifth generation came to satisfy its customers.

First of all, the car came with a specific exterior package consisting of a different bumper with wider side scoops, which hosted the fog lamps. A red trim adorned the mesh-grille with a hexagonal pattern, while on the side, it sported specific light-alloy wheels. Thanks to its lower ground clearance than the rest of the range and the roof spoiler on top of the tailgate, the three-door GTI couldn’t be mistaken with its lower-powered siblings.

The car’s interior featured a pair of bucket seats with GTI lettering embroidered on the headrests. Just in case that the owner didn’t know what’s under the hood, the carmaker installed a specific steering wheel with a silver trim on the lower spoke, stamped with the GTI badge. Depending on the options, Volkswagen installed a new infotainment system with a wider screen and sat-nav on the center stack. The customer could choose between the basic cloth materials or the more expensive leather upholstery.

While the fourth generation could hardly convince with its powerplant, the fifth sequel of the GTI saga featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit with a direct fuel injection system. It sent the power to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual or, as an option, through a six-speed automatic (dual-clutch) DSG transmission.