« Reply #152 on: 14 January 2026, 14:13 »
I’ve not seen the magazine feature so have no idea about the context and sources but it doesn’t add up to previous info released.
Having spoken to a dealer multiple times last year including right after the big Wolfsburg event where dealer staff were briefed on the model, the UK dealers were told the model would be on general sale for the whole of 2026 with the only limitations being production capacity.
No mention of similar restrictions on numbers to other countries that I’m aware of and the UK is a big market for GTI’s.
It’s not a difficult car to build, no special bodywork or anything like that.
I’m wondering if they’ve got advance knowledge of a limited special similar to the CSS?
There are already bucket seats homologated for the platform used previously in various models and currently available in the RS3. We’ve also seen extensive links to the Ed50 people working with Eibach(?) on chassis work.
Maybe another go at the ‘Ring in a more focussed car this year? Or is that just wishful thinking?
While I’m going all conspiracy theory, it makes sense that VW will use the heritage of the GTI to counter the Chinese EV invasion using people’s heartstrings to keep the brand in focus and keep the Euro factories busy, especially as there is more and more push to put back the zero emissions mandate.
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‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten
