45 years ago, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was first introduced to the market which essentially kickstarted the hot hatch craze. Although it wasn’t the first of its kind, many experts credited it as the best. For eight generations, Wolfsburg has experienced great success with this product. With the arrival of the new model, the brand has commissioned a series of sketches with some comments regarding each generation’s most notable design features.
Starting with the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI, current Head of Exterior Design of the brand, Marco Pavone explains that the highlight of this model was its black radiator grille. It features 11 horizontal lines that surround the headlamps and complements the narrow bumper. By 1978, this bumper was enlarged plastic-covered ones.
The “Jumbo” Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI initially sported a single pair of headlamps but with the 16-valve variant, foglamps were integrated into the grille. This model continued the red outline which was expanded to the bumper. Beneath this sits an additional air intake.
With the arrival of the Mk3 Volkswagen Golf GTI, the change in design was rather drastic due to its softer, wedge-shape silhouette. The removal of the double headlamp design was integrated into a single cluster on each end the radiator grille was downsized to just three horizontal lines. New to this generation as well was a colour-coded spoiler and a split air intake.
The Mk4 Volkswagen Golf GTI arrive with many design cues from its predecessor carried over. This is the only GTI to not boast the red stripe on the radiator grille which was celebrated by some as they believed it gave the hot hatch a much cleaner look. New to this model were the headlamp units that housed the indicators and foglamps in a compact design.
The Mk5 Volkswagen Golf GTI is where things started to get more emotional and to its roots. The red trim returned to the larger grille design while round twin headlamps are brought back in a grouped unit behind a dark glass while foglamps were moved down the front apron.
The Mk6 Volkswagen Golf GTI was penned to revive the tradition of the original model. Two fine red trim lines run across the grille to link the bi-xenon headlamps while the spoiler boasts air intakes with three sharp fins on either side. Vertical foglamps are placed lower down the apron here as well. For the first time, a splitter I integrated on the bumper to give in a more powerful presence.
On the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI, Pavone says that his creative juices were allowed to flow as a designer. The continuous red GTI trim spreads through the full-LED headlamps while the bonnet arches down to the grille. Sharp lines run from the headlamps up to the A-pillar for a more flowing design.
The soon-to-arrive Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI reinforces the principle of light being the new chrome. On the latest model, a powerful and dynamic stance is created without deviating from the DNA of its predecessors. While the Mk7’s bumper was divided by fins, the honeycomb design is now completely open. Located to the left and right are the new GTI wings, which integrate the optional LED foglamps in an X-shape and create a completely new impression.
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