Welcome.
In the UK the Mk4 with the V6 wasn't labelled a GTI, actually even the Mk3 VR6 wasn't labelled as a GTI either, it was just the VR6.
Does yours have 4 wheel drive? If it does, then it's the equivalent of the V6-4motion model in the UK.
What engine was your 90 Golf GL?
it's all a matter of the trim.
the golf here never came with a VR6
since the beginning the "sportier" version of the golf was labeled GTi, even the badges on the cars are different.
The GTi comes "sportier". the only "golf" that is AWD is the R32.
The 90 golf was a 1.8L automatic.
the 96 was a 2.0L automatic
the 02 is a VR6/V6/6 cyl 5-speed manual.