Volkswagen confirms manual 'box for GTI 40 Years

VOLKSWAGEN Australia has announced that its limited-edition Golf GTI 40 Years hot hatch will be offered with a manual gearbox option, priced from $46,990 before on-roads.

The six-speed manual will be paired to a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that pumps out 195kW/380Nm, making it the most powerful production GTI to date.

Also included is an overboost function that can kick peak power up to 213kW for limited periods of time.

The GTI 40 years will sit near the top of the Golf line-up, above the Golf GTI Performance and below the range-topping all-paw Golf R.

As previously reported, the front-wheel-drive GTI 40 Years can race from zero to 100jkm/h in 5.9 seconds, but it cannot quite beat the Golf R's 5.0-second 0-100km/h time.

The manual variant will include the same level of standard specification as its six-speed DSG automatic sibling, offering features such as larger brakes, front diff lock, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive chassis control and a new, more aggressively-styled bodykit.

The auto version, priced at $48,990 before on-roads, touches down in Australia in June, while the manual is due to arrive in the third quarter 2016.

It is unclear exactly how many examples of the GTI 40 Years will make it to Australia, however Volkswagen will only offer the five-door variant, selling the three-door version in other markets.

It will be available in a choice of white – as a nod to the original GTI – or Tornado Red colours, and the only option on offer is a panoramic sunroof that will set buyers back $1850.

Safety features will include adaptive cruise control, front assist with city emergency brake, and a blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert.

Other features for the GTI 40 Years include black door mirrors, a revised rear bumper with new diffuser, bigger exhaust tailpipes, darkened LED tail-lights GTI-themed red detail stitching, front door sill strips, Alcantara-covered steering wheel and door trim, and honeycomb-patterned seat upholstery.

The performance of the new GTI was put on display last month, with an even-hotter Golf GTI Clubsport S setting the lap record for front-wheel-drive cars at the Nurburgring, with a time of 7:49.21.

The Clubsport S boasts 228kW of power and a modified chassis resulting in weight reduction of around 30kg, making it a more potent version of the 'normal' GTI Clubsport (the name for the GTI 40 Years in other markets).

The GTI 40 Years is currently available to order through Volkswagen Australia dealerships.