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Q: What does GTI, GLI and so on mean?A: L = Luxe (base model)LS = Luxe Special, couple more do-dadsGT = Grand Tourisme, better equipped & usually a larger engine than the "L" seriesGL = Grand Luxe (geared for more luxury), basically == GTGTI/GLI = Originally, the fuel injected version of a GT/GL which means itproduced a lot more power. With most cars FI, the GTI/GLIdesignation means a more powerful engine than a GT/GL model,sometimes also with a better suspension. Note that originally,GLI != Jetta, as the case in the USA.SL = Serie Limite' (limited series), like the Karmann series in US.Really a variation on a GT.GTX = Same as GTI but used in Europe and elsewhere.G40/60 = GT version with VWs G-type supercharger. The number is the widthof the G-charger (lader in D) coil in millimeters. For those whoaren't aware, the G40 is used on some Polos, the G60 on Passatsand Corrados.VR6 = Cars based on the new staggered 6 cylinder engine (in-line-V-6).SLC = Sport Luxury Coupe, the VR6 equipped Corrado in the US.Syncro = VWs version 4WD distributes its torque with a "visco-gear"(It's a special silicone gel that stiffens if the relativemotion (shear) increases)VWs 4WD is designed by Steyr-Puch, an Austrian Company and notby Audi.Originally, all European VWs were carbureted, except those with the "I" or"i" and a few rare cases with an "E" for "einspritz", designation which hada more powerful fuel injected engine, a "GT" set-up, and some more sportyequipment (suspension, gauges).In the US, VW switched over to FI around 78, and in Europe a bit later(with mono-throttle FI) which meant that all cars really counted as "I"models.GTI/GLI now just means that the car has a more powerful engine and asportier set-up.
gori sam ja saban sto ulazim u raspravu sta je slik guma a sta komercijalna, podero sam slikova koliko pola foruma zajedno nije putnickih
The Beetle, famous and much loved though it was, was ten years past its sell by date. The same executives who had created the success of the Beetle refused to commission designs that failed to match the Beetle formula of an air cooled rear engine design. Many prototypes were built, but none strayed from the party line, and none were successful. One example of this was EA 266. With air intakes ahead of the rear wheels everyone assumed that it was air cooled, but it actually featured an in-line water cooled engine. The engine was mounted on it's side, underneath the rear seats, making life interesting for backseat passengers! The engine developed a healthy 105bhp, but despite it's Porsche design studio origins, was not developed any further.The Golf story starts with prototype EA 276, of which a single example remains at Volkswagens own museum. This car was jointly developed with Porsche and had a front mounted Beetle flat four engine and front wheel drivE. This one begins to bear a resemblance to the 'Golf' we came to know. With a hatchback, Mars Red paint, wheel arch trim, and a sporty black side stripe, the early makings of the Golf had begun to show. As this prototype was developed the beetle engine was dropped in favour of a new water cooled engine from 'Auto-Union'. The man behind this prototype, Heinz Nordhoff, unfortunately died in 1968, and this prototype died with him. His successor, Kurt Lotz commissioned a programme to find 'The Next Beetle' and prototype EA337 was started. Giorgetto Giuguaro of Ital Design was brought in to design a small hatchback, with front wheel drivE, a transverse water cooled engine and space saving suspension.The engine for the new prototype came from the recented acquired 'Auto-Union' company, owners of the 'Audi' name. In turn, this engine had been developed by Mercedes Benz prior to the acquisition. Referred to as a type 827 engine, it was available in 1296cc and 1471cc. Unlike any previous Volkswagen engines it featured a thoroughly modern design, including a belt drivEn overhead camshaft, cast iron block and a light alloy cylinder head.Guiguaro had penned two cars, one a hatchback saloon and the other a coupe, both on the 7'10.5" wheelbase. The hatchback design became the Golf, and the coupe, the Scirocco. The Scirocco was launched first, by about 6 months, reputedly to give the Volkswagen dealer network some experience with the new cars before the mainstream Golf was released. The Golf started with two engine options, a new 1093cc engine (destined for the upcoming Polo and Audi 50) and the newly available type 827 engine with 1471cc. This latter engine developed 70bhp in this form, with 0-60 in 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 98mph.That might have been the end of the story. The Golf would have gone on to great success, but not greatness itself. With mass production, cars are not built to whim, but literally for the masses, exceptions and tweaks are not allowed, especially for a 'peoples car'. The Golf was to prove the exception, as the GTI was an first and foremost an 'engineers' car.Today, a new hot hatch, or performance car is generally conceived in the mind of the marketing department in order to create interest in their car and lift sales of the more mundane models in the range. Back in 1973, the marketing people were not involved. The 'Sport Golf', as the engineers called it, was an 'evening and weekends' project, developed in secret outside normal working hours. Even when it was shown to the management, their interest was lukewarm, infact the salesand marketing people were against it, unable to see a market for such a car.Thankfully, having been developed by engineers, it was devoid of stripes, spoilers and pretensions. It had no rear spoiler because it didnt need one, it had a front spoiler because it was found to reduce front end lift by 65lbs at 100 mph. It had wheel arch trim to protect it from stone chips, not because it looked good. It had wider steel wheels to provide extra grip, a standard, though widened, exhaust system for the higher capacity engine. Lowered and stiffened suspension was there because it provided the best handling and response. Fortunately for the engineers, at the same time the type 827 engine had been enlarged for use in the Audi 80 GT, which was introduced in 1974. With a 3mm longer stroke, the new engine had a 80mm bore and a 79.5mm stroke giving 1588cc and with the benefit of a Solex twin choke carburettor, it developed a hearty 100bhp. By now, the 'Sport Golf' was about 80% ready and had attracted more serious attention from the management, and it was decided to go ahead with a limited run of 5000. It was May 1975.Shortly after this the car received its official name, 'The Golf GTI', and the type 827 engine received Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Strangely it appeared that the 'I' in 'GTI', did not originally stand for 'Injection' as the german word for injection is 'Einspritzung', which leads you, heaven forbid, to a GTE! Perhaps it was suggested by Guiguaro himself, as in italian you would get 'Gran Turismo Iniezione'. Others have suggested that since Audi already had the Audi 80 GTE, Volkswagen simply used 'GTI' to be different.Whilst the engine now developed 110bhp, this 10bhp was not really due to the injection system, but the addition of new inlet and exhaust manifolds and larger diameter valves. The final development dealt with brakes (rear disks were considered but, in hindsight, unfortunately rejected!), uprated anti roll bars, rims and tyres. These were finalised as 175/70R13s, hardly a performance size by modern standards, but very generous at the time. The gearbox initially had 4 gears. The Golf GTI prototype was just completed in time for the September 1975 Frankfurt Motor show, though it did not go on sale until June 1976. The engineers apparently set themselves the same standard of performance, durability and road behaviour that every normal VW had to pass. The car was launched in just two colours, Mars Red and Diamond Metallic Silver. Schwartz Black was added shortly afterwards.Only six prototypes had been built before the project went official, but another 15 were produced towards the production date for durability testing. One car had to undergo a 62,000 mile high speed run. Others went for weather testing in Scandinavia and Africa for hot weather testing. Initially only a handful, reportedly four to five, engineers had been involved, but by launch time, over a hundred were working on the project.The car was not shown in the UK until late in 1976, the first appearance being at the London Motor Show. It was stated that no RHD versions would be available due to 'technical reasons'. It was reviewed by 'Motor' magazine which credited it with a 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 108mph. It was available to import at £3,372. This car, MKT 512R, a Mars Red example, was probably the first Mk1 Golf GTI in the UK. Volkswagen dealers in the UK lobbied Volkswagen Germany hard for two years and at last, in early 1979, the Golf GTI was on sale in the UK with right hand drivE. Shortly afterwards the 5 speed gearbox was also added to the 1.6 engine. Only 22 Golf GTI's were sold in the UK in 1978, but over 1500 were sold in 1979, and the Golf GTI has never wavered in terms of sales success in the UK since, except during the insurance problems of the early 1990s and even then, it was still one of few hot hatches backs to weather the 'insurance recession'.In November 1979 'What Car?' lined the 1588cc 5-speed Golf GTI against what they perceived as its nearest competitors at the time; the Ford Escort RS2000, the Talbot Sunbeam Ti and the Vauxhaul Chevette HS. The Golf GTI won by a considerable margin, and history shows that, with the exception of the Ford, the other cars have disappeared into obscurity. Another colour, Alpine white, was added to the range, though this was not one of the most popular.By 1980, the hot hatch concept had been established, and rival car makers were producing their own versions. Notable ones included the Renault 5 Gordini (later the 5 GT Turbo), the Alfasud, and the new Ford XR3. But each time the various cars were lined up, there was always the same winneR. 'Motor' magazine commented that "At the risk of sounding interminably repetitious, the GTI still ruleS'.Unlike the rather lacklustre competitive stance of the more recent mk3 and mk4 versions of the Golf GTI, the Mk1 version was significantly better than the opposition, constantly achieving first place in all tests and comparisions. It was not only the first hot hatch, but, in its day, the best, and by a considerable margin. Lets hope the new Mk5 can restore some of that charisma again!.
Shortly after this the car received its official name, 'The Golf GTI', and the type 827 engine received Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Strangely it appeared that the 'I' in 'GTI', did not originally stand for 'Injection' as the german word for injection is 'Einspritzung', which leads you, heaven forbid, to a GTE! Perhaps it was suggested by Guiguaro himself, as in italian you would get 'Gran Turismo Iniezione'. Others have suggested that since Audi already had the Audi 80 GTE, Volkswagen simply used 'GTI' to be different.
