You see so many golfs with GTI some red letters some not and A3s with 1.8T on the back until you get up to the S3.

So what are the equivalent 180bhp models of the golf and A3?

I believe that the Seat Cupra is the same but I could so easily be wrong?

Just out of interest.

Golf Gt(silver)i = 150bhp

Golf Gt(Red)i = 180bhp and 6 speed

Seat Leon Cupra (or Top Sport in IE) = 180bhp

Leon Cupra R = 225bhp

Not too sure on the A3. Don't see too many of them around these parts

Thought standard Golf GT I(red) 150 bhp.( 1.8T's)

No red 'I' = pedestrian 2.0 115 bhp GTI

Only mark IV with 180 bhp= Anniversary.I think...

Might be different in UK and Ireland, but over here with the 1.8T golfs the standard badging was a 150bhp 5 speed and the red I had 180bhp and 6 speed. Even more confusing with the diesel versions though!

Cheers chaps / chappesses.

Just nice to know what your up against, as long as their standard of course .

I remember when a friend bought a 1.8T 150bhp Golf, and was disappointed that it didn't have a red I (this was a brand new V reg).

The GTI with a silver I back then was the normally aspirated 1.8 with 125 bhp, the red I version was the same engine but with a turbo and a red I.

The supplying dealer explained to him at the time people had complained about the performance of the 1.8 125bhp version, so VW replace it with the 2.0 115bhp, even though less bhp it apparently had a better drive if you werent going to rev the nuts off it all the time, better torque curve I guess.

This was then badged 2.0 and the 1.8T 150bhp changed from a red I to a silver I at the same time.

On mainland Europe there was no N/A MK4 GTI, so the 150bhp model was 'THE' GTI, and it had an all silver badge. Due to VW UKs marketing dept. wanting to have two GTIs as they sold so well in the UK on badge alone they put the silver one on the weedy one and the dealers stuck the red bit on the I. Hence you will see many GTI 1.8t's with just silver badges.

The 180 engine was added to the range in 2002 I think and had the same badges as the 150. Easiest way to tell from the outside is the rear discs on the 180 were vented (unlike Leon Cupra). Easiest way to see on the inside is the no. 6 on the gear ****!

I came to the conclusion that the colour of the TDI badge was totally random.

I didn't think any Golf GTI was 180bhp? Only the anniversary edition... :confused:

Nope added quietly to the Golf and Bora range in '02.

There's a few about, and my Dad has the Bora version.

As for the TDI badges, we could go on all day!

Every time VW updated the model range they changed a bit!

They akso sold some late mk4 TDI's badged GTi - no diesel markings whatsoever. Whether this was an option or a specific model I'm not sure.

The 150 TDIs had GTI badges on as they were confident (obviously) of their GTI like performance, plus they had the same spec brakes and suspension, wheels etc as the GTI and even the 'tasteful' wood trim(!)

I came to the conclusion that the colour of the TDI badge was totally random.

I didn't think any Golf GTI was 180bhp? Only the anniversary edition... :confused:

GaryM has a non-anniversary 180 GTI.

They akso sold some late mk4 TDI's badged GTi - no diesel markings whatsoever. Whether this was an option or a specific model I'm not sure.

That was the 150 bhp TDI .. GTI spec.. You could have either TDI Or GTI with the I in red....

very confusing until the cloud of black soot and a rapidy disappearing Golf

became apparent....

Dazz

and to really split hairs: the leon cupra R came with 210bhp to start,and later with 225.

Thought diesel GTI's were badged GT TDI? All started going to pot with the MKII's when along came the 16v with the red badge on the grill

I need a sit down.Too many types of golf GTI!

Anyone fancy trying listing the whole list of Golf GTI's from the 1600cc MkI right through to the new MK V 2.0T.Interesting to see how many versions there have been!

Thought diesel GTI's were badged GT TDI? All started going to pot with the MKII's when along came the 16v with the red badge on the grill

I need a sit down.Too many types of golf GTI!

Anyone fancy trying listing the whole list of Golf GTI's from the 1600cc MkI right through to the new MK V 2.0T.Interesting to see how many versions there have been!

No the Diesel GT TDIs were just that, a seperate sub category. Only the 150 TDI was badged as GTI (again for UK market only AFAIK) due to the obvious comparisons in spec and performance, likewise adopted by SEAT with the Cupra petrol and derv. Incidentally the GT TDI was originally brought in with the 110 BHP TDI in mk3 Golf guise in Europe, we had to wait for the mk4 ( and while we are at it the GT TDI was also available in SEAT Ibiza flavour too, way back in about 1998, in Europe, same 110 engine!).

As for the list of GTIs, if you count all of the foreign spec variations it could take all day! In nearly thirty years, plus all over the world and millions sold, we could be here a while!