The Volkswagen GTI is one of the best-known budget performance cars sold in America. For more than 20 years. Volkswagen has been taking its entry-level, economy car-based two-door hatchback model and turning it into a high performance GTI by adding a more powerful engine and brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and special interior and exterior trim pieces.  The original VW Rabbit GTI stormed onto American shores for 1983 and has been frequently credited for creating the niche-oriented "hot hatchback" market segment. Since then, there have been four more generations of Golf- or Rabbit-based VW GTIs, and some have been more highly regarded than others. The latest performance model is the most powerful GTI yet and could be considered a minor return to glory for the nameplate. Shoppers interested in a used GTI will likely want to do some research in order to determine which model year is best suited for them.sult is a practical car that's also fun to drive and desirable.

The latest VW GTI was introduced midway through the 2006 model year. The platform on which it's based is representative of the fifth-generation Golf, which has been renamed the Rabbit for the U.S. market. Highlighted improvements for this generation include a stiffer body structure, a fully independent suspension and new features such as xenon headlights and an available navigation system. The GTI is available in two-door and four-door hatchback body styles.

VW makes many modifications to the GTI to improve its performance and distinctiveness compared to other Rabbit models. For power, it has a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine called the 2.0T that's capable of 200 hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and sends power to the front wheels with out sacraficing performance levels. A sequentially shifting six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission is optional.Minor equipment changes have occurred since then. Otherwise, most used-car lots will feature the fourth-generation GTI produced for the 1999-2006 model years. Todays tuners have a technology advantage due to the on board computer and electronic fuel injection to help boost the GTI 's performance.

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