VW Golf GTI dilution

Golf GTI was already a legend by the time Mk2 arrived, but from there it was softened to attract a more mainstream buyer.

“The Mk2, Mk3 and MK4 models became gradually diluted - between those models we gradually lost touch with what the car should be,” says Volkswagen's global head of engineering for Golf and GTI, Rolf Trump.

“It was the marketing decisions of the time."

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

Add CarsGuide as a preferred source in Google Search

“It was not until MkV that we tried to rekindle the values and performance of the old ideal “However I would not say the models from MkII to MkIV were unloved - they were not a failure in terms of sales.

“What I find disappointing is that we did not do what we could have with the potential of the car - we went more mainstream."

“From an engineering point of view I may have regretted some of the decisions taken to put the car on a wider footing."

“It was not unsuccessful, when you look at the volumes sold. But it deprived GTI of that character that is so essential to it.”