Few badges are as hallowed in the motoring world as the three letters that have adorned fast Volkswagens since 1796: GTI. The first Volkswagen GTI was based on the then-new Golf. Designed as a successor to the beloved Beetle, the Golf carried the engine in the front and cooled with water instead of air. It was modern, well packaged and desirable, but it lacked a certain something. With the Volkswagen Golf's four-cylinder engine making a healthy 110 horsepower, VW's engineers turned their attention to handling. The car's ride height was lowered and it was given sway bars for a stiffer ride as well as the iconic golf ball shifter knob. With that, the legend was born.
Inventing the genre
The Volkswagen GTI brought exciting driving to the masses and single-handedly started the hot hatchback genre. It showed that economy cars could be thrilling. While the modern crop of Volkswagen GTIs have become larger and moved away from their economy car roots, the spirit remains. The Volkswagen GTI is still the benchmark hatch, decades after the first iteration thrilled the world. It offers an often-imitated blend of speed, thrills, practicality and space that buyers have loved for decades.
Hit the streets
Montreal is a great match for the nimble handling and stylish looks of the Volkswagen GTI. Equally at home parked outside a bistro in Outremont or climbing Mount Royal at midnight, the Volkswagen GTI has range.Â
There are also search filters to help you find exactly what you're looking for quickly and easily. If you'd like to compare, check out the hot hatchback versions of the Hyundai Veloster, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. Luckily, Kijiji Autos has a wide range of new and used Volkswagen GTI for sale in Montreal. Start your search today!Â
