Unveiled in 2003 in Europe, the top-selling Golf has been slightly tweaked for the local market. The changes are more prominent on the Brazilian Golf GTI. It seems local designers were allowed to play with the styling of the car a bit. The Brazil Golf GTI looks rather different from its European counterpart, but not to its advantage.
But styling takes a backseat to the fact that the Golf GTI is the most powerful car in its segment on the local market. It is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine which is good for a top speed of 144 mph. The engine makes 195 hp, and is combined with a five-speed Tiptronic auto gearbox.
The new Golf GTI gets modern touches including satellite navigation, Bluetooth capability, an MP3 player and 17-inch alloy wheels. It sells for the equivalent of $44,600, which is in the same ballpark locally as the Honda Civic Si.
