The Volkswagen Golf GTI three-door will return to Australian showrooms later this year with more power than the regular five-door model.
Volkswagen Australia has confirmed 150 three-door units will be initially introduced locally as part of the updated MY17 Golf range – also known as the Golf 7.5 - comprising the Golf, Golf GTI and Golf R family.
The arrival will mark a return to the original three-door formula in which the Golf GTI nameplate was conceived.
Called the Golf GTI Performance Edition 1, the capped production run will be available in White Silver and Dark Iron Blue hues, and will feature as standard: leatherette upholstery, LED tail lights, active info display, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, park assist, blind spot monitoring and tinted windows. In addition, each vehicle will come with a $340 merchandise pack.
The car’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine will feature uprated outputs of 180kW and 370Nm (up from 169kW), with the engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. There is no manual on offer.
A front differential lock and larger disc brakes are among the key mechanical changes.
The three-door GTI has been slated for an August arrival.