What Is It?
2003 Volkswagen GTI 20th Anniversary Edition
What's Special About It?
The 20th Anniversary Edition commemorates 20 years of GTI sales in the U.S. and is similar in many ways to the German 25th Anniversary Edition and GTI 337.
Powered by the same 1.8-liter, 180-hp turbo engine as the standard-issue GTI, the 20th Anniversary Edition adds 18-inch OZ wheels with more aggressive performance tires, a revised instrument cluster with aluminum trim, upgraded brakes, suspension and body kit similar to the 337 and an all-new six-speed manual transmission. The 20th Anniversary Edition GTI will also borrow Recaro seats from the 337, but the interior won't have red accents as in the 337. The 20th Anniversary Edition further distinguishes itself visually by adding unique exterior cues like black headlight trim, darkened taillamp lenses, a body-colored spoiler mounted just above the rear hatch and a larger-diameter chrome exhaust tip.
Although it's mechanically similar to the 337, the 20th Anniversary Edition will come with a choice of unique colors; Imola Yellow and Jazz Blue are offered in addition to black. Yellow and blue 20th Anniversary Edition GTIs may be rarer as black is more in keeping with the heritage of this car in America — nearly 50 percent of all commemorative GTIs will be black with the other two colors making up the remainder. Each car will have special "retro" badging that recalls the original Rabbit GTIs from 1983 — the rear GTI script will be red and accompanied by a small rabbit icon. VW will build just 4,000 of these cars and each will be numbered with a special commemorative plaque placed where the cupholders normally reside.
Like the 337, most equipment, including a Monsoon stereo, power sunroof plus side curtain airbags, will be standard. The car will retail for $23,225 and should be on sale by May of 2003.
Why Should You Care?
With only 4,000 copies available, the 20th Anniversary Edition GTI offers all the pavement-scorching fun of the 337 plus a unique look and the likelihood of future collectability. — Brian Moody
2003 Volkswagen GTI 20th Anniversary Edition
What's Special About It?
The 20th Anniversary Edition commemorates 20 years of GTI sales in the U.S. and is similar in many ways to the German 25th Anniversary Edition and GTI 337.
Powered by the same 1.8-liter, 180-hp turbo engine as the standard-issue GTI, the 20th Anniversary Edition adds 18-inch OZ wheels with more aggressive performance tires, a revised instrument cluster with aluminum trim, upgraded brakes, suspension and body kit similar to the 337 and an all-new six-speed manual transmission. The 20th Anniversary Edition GTI will also borrow Recaro seats from the 337, but the interior won't have red accents as in the 337. The 20th Anniversary Edition further distinguishes itself visually by adding unique exterior cues like black headlight trim, darkened taillamp lenses, a body-colored spoiler mounted just above the rear hatch and a larger-diameter chrome exhaust tip.
Although it's mechanically similar to the 337, the 20th Anniversary Edition will come with a choice of unique colors; Imola Yellow and Jazz Blue are offered in addition to black. Yellow and blue 20th Anniversary Edition GTIs may be rarer as black is more in keeping with the heritage of this car in America — nearly 50 percent of all commemorative GTIs will be black with the other two colors making up the remainder. Each car will have special "retro" badging that recalls the original Rabbit GTIs from 1983 — the rear GTI script will be red and accompanied by a small rabbit icon. VW will build just 4,000 of these cars and each will be numbered with a special commemorative plaque placed where the cupholders normally reside.
Like the 337, most equipment, including a Monsoon stereo, power sunroof plus side curtain airbags, will be standard. The car will retail for $23,225 and should be on sale by May of 2003.
Why Should You Care?
With only 4,000 copies available, the 20th Anniversary Edition GTI offers all the pavement-scorching fun of the 337 plus a unique look and the likelihood of future collectability. — Brian Moody
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