2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Performance Edition 1 announced for Australia

The iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI hatch will receive significant updates shortly as part of VW’s mid-life Golf Mark 7.5 facelift. Packing more power, more kit and subtly revised looks, the Golf GTI will be offered in five-door and limited-edition three-door GTI Performance body styles.

As on the original Golf Mark 7, the GTI will be offered in standard form and GTI Performance form – the latter receiving a further power boost, plus Volkswagen’s incredible mechanical front differential. However, five-door GTI Performance models are not ready. The Performance tune will initially launch in July with a limited run of 150 three-door Performance Edition 1 models.

The standard Golf GTI five-door has seen its outputs bumped by 7kW to 169kW and 350Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, driving the front wheels through a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG automatic. Adaptive dampers remain an inclusion. Prices rise slightly on the GTI, by $150.

Tartan trim remains standard fare inside – but specs are far from bare. The GTI gets dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters for the DSG model, 18-inch “Milton Keynes” alloy wheels, and front fog lights.

Technology is boosted with an 8-inch “Discover” infotainment screen with navigation, CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, while fatigue detection, forward collision warning, city AEB, auto wipers, and automatic LED headlights with a dynamic cornering function make life easier on the driver.

On the GTI, a Driver Assistance package ($1,600) can be optioned, adding radar cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and automated parking.

A GTI Infotainment package ($2,300) adds Volkswagen’s Active Info Display – a 12-inch, fully digital driver’s screen with gesture and voice control and a 400-watt Dynaudio Excite premium stereo with 10 speakers.

Finally, the GTI Luxury package ($3,900) turns up the interior ambience with “Vienna” leather seats, heated in the front, and electrically-adjustable for the driver with memory, plus folding mirrors with memory and a panoramic sunroof.

However, it’s the harder-core, three-door Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 ($47,490, 7-speed DSG) that we’re excited about. It’s a special run of three-doors using an uprated, 180kW, 370Nm two-litre turbo four – up 11kW and 20Nm on the previous GTI Performance. The price is up $1,000, minus two doors.

It’s likely a five-door GTI Performance will return but not yet.

The Performance Edition 1 adds kit like Volkswagen’s electronically-controlled, mechanically-locking front differential – an altogether different and better piece of kit than the electronic, XDL lock – plus larger brake discs, 19-inch “Brescia” alloys, microfleece-leatherette seats, premium LED taillights with scrolling indicators, and dark-tinted rear and rear side windows.

The Performance Edition 1 packs the digital driver’s Active Info Display as standard, along with radar cruise control, lane keep assist, automated parking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

A panoramic roof can be added to the Edition 1 for an additional $1,900 outlay.

The Golf GTI will be launched in midwinter 2017 along with the rest of the Volkswagen Golf 7.5 range for Australia. We’ve got all the details on the range-wide update:

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2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI prices – Australia

• Golf GTI manual: $41,490
• Golf GTI auto: $43,990
• Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 auto: $47,990

Key Golf GTI options

• GTI Metallic paint or pearl effect paint: $500
• GTI Driver Assistance package: $1,600
• GTI Infotainment package: $2,300
• GTI Luxury package: $3,900
• Performance Edition 1 panoramic sunroof: $1,900