The Golf GTI Anniversary or 20 Jahre (20 year) GTI as it is known in Germany was launched at the 1996 Geneva Motor Show to celebrate 20 years of Golf GTI production. 600 8 valve and 150 16 valve UK examples (TDI too in Europe) were available in just five colours with either 3 or 5 doors and while based upon standard running gear, the car boasted some rather distinctive cosmetic gilding.
Externally the most striking difference has to be the 16" BBS RX split rim alloy wheels wearing 215/40 16 tyres with red Porsche 911 Turbo style brake calipers visible through their spokes, a combination recently resurrected for the new Polo GTI albeit with more modest 15" rims.
The front fog lights and indicators display a trendy smoked finish while the front spoiler is the deeper type resurrected from the early Mk3 GTI/VR6. A splash of chrome has been added to the exhaust tailpipes while the bumpers see the return of the red pinstripe evoking memories of the classic Mk2. Red paint wasn�t spared for the GTI logos with the rear becoming just a bold �GTI�.
The interior is arguably the highlight with red, black and grey check seats proudly displaying the famous GTI logo and the famous golf ball gear knob returns in a blend of aluminium and plastic. Protecting the (thankfully) black carpet are red piped overmats while protecting the occupants are seat belts in, you guessed it, red. Slightly more discrete is the red stitching in the leather steering wheel rim, gear gaiter and in the handbrake lever which even has a red button!
