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VW Celebrates 30 Years with Special Edition GTI

Edition 30 Sports 227 hp and Styling Mods

Back in May, we reported on a special version of one of our favorite performance hatchback icons, the Volkswagen GTI Edition 30. At that point in time, Volkswagen had built just one of those cars, named it a design study concept, and called it a day, leaving GTI fans thoroughly disgruntled at what otherwise seemed little more than a tease. A perfectly viable vehicle left on the side, potentially never to surface again. And while the GTI range has grown to include a five-door model, a version with a trunk (Jetta GLI), as well

The original Edition 30 Concept Car. Black wheels... err... not so hot. (Photo: Volkswagen)

as a special, day-glo-orange Fahrenheit limited edition, its been the Edition 30 that fans have sought to own. Well, the wondering and waiting is over. Now some lucky customers will get a chance to buy their dream car right from the factory as Volkswagens decided to officially offer the Edition 30 for public sale.

The big thing about the Edition

Production version sports better looking wheels, but same body kit and engine mods. (Photo: Volkswagen)

30 that most GTI owners love is the engine. Volkswagen has found a way to safely massage more power out of that fantastic 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. Theyve done it several times before, with the European-only A4 2.0T DTM limited edition, which makes 220 horsepower, so whats an extra ten ponies? Well, it hasnt quite translated 100-percent; the supposed 30 horsepower gain (one for each year) didnt make the cut, its really 27 instead. Nevertheless, thats enough to push the GTI above and beyond the 200 horsepower limit,

More red stitching, and a wonderful dimpled golf-ball shifter come with the special edition car. (Photo: Volkswagen)

allowing it to quickly close in on the likes of the Mazdaspeed3, Subaru WRX, and put up a really good fight against the European-only Ford Focus ST and Opel Astra OPC.

The one noticeable change thats been made to the Edition 30 from its concept stage is the wheels. Theyre still 18-inches in diameter, but rather than being the truly awesome five-spoke porthole rims painted in flat black, theyve been swapped in favor of black-painted BBS CH wheels, as per 2007 model-year Audi A3 S-Line. Otherwise, what were looking at is the same car as the concept, complete with new lip kit and side skirt. On the inside, the Edition 30 receives little garnishes to remind those who sit inside of the

Still tasty, but not as hot: GTI Fahrenheit Edition. (Photo: Volkswagen)

decor from the original GTI. Those wonderfully supportive bucket seats are standard, but theyre trimmed in tartan plaid fabric with leather side bolsters. All stitching, be it on the steering wheel, seats, headrests or any other area is done in bright red. The technical aluminum and leather shift knob from the standard car has also been exchanged for Volkswagens new "Golf Ball" shift knob.

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