Bear in mind when Volkswagen of America ran its “Unpimp ze Auto” collection of tv commercials (Peter Stormare ftw! -Hurd), displaying livid and presumably quick tuner automobiles (a Mitsubishi Eclipse, Honda Civic and Ford Focus) being destroyed by a Swede representing the engineers of Deutschland? Let’s all watch them once more, as a result of they by no means get previous even after 18 years.
The automotive being marketed as being far superior to any backyard-built front-wheel-drive scorching rod of the mid-2000s was the 2006 Volkswagen GTI, and that is precisely what we have for in the present day’s Junkyard Gem.
Volkswagen has utilized the GTI label to many heated-up fashions for the reason that Golf GTI and its Scirocco GTI cousin first hit German streets in 1976, together with the Gol and Polo, however solely the Golf model has ever been provided in the US. Again when the Golf was generally known as the Rabbit right here, the primary GTIs hit American showrooms as 1983 fashions.
Volkswagen ditched the Rabbit identify when the Mk2 Golf confirmed up in the US as a 1985 mannequin. As a result of there have been no GTI variations of different VWs offered right here, the GTI may very well be offered with out Golf badging by VWoA. Because of the devoted fanatic following for GTIs of any era, these automobiles aren’t simple to seek out in automotive graveyards; previous to in the present day’s automotive, I would documented only a handful of examples of the Mk2 GTI and Mk4 GTI in such locations.
Simply to confuse all people, each Mk4 and Mk5 GTIs have been offered as 2006 fashions. This one is a real Mk5, often known as the 2006 New GTI.
This automotive is a lot heavier than its 1983 ancestor (3,308 kilos versus 1,918 kilos), however it has a greater power-to-weight ratio due to this turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC engine with direct injection. That is 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet, with every horse pulling 16.54 kilos (the ’83 Rabbit GTI positioned 21.31 kilos on every horse). Sure, automobiles simply maintain getting heavier. Need to understand how a lot the 1983 Chevrolet Monte Carlo weighed with the non-obligatory V8 engine? 3,236 kilos.
By the center 2000s, Individuals had already spent 40 years falling out of affection with handbook transmissions, however the authentic purchaser of this automotive selected the six-on-the-floor. We at the moment are dwelling within the ultimate mannequin yr of three-pedal GTIs right here, in accordance with Volkswagen.
This automotive seems to be in very good situation for its age, with a reasonably first rate inside and principally straight and stable sheet steel.
There is a little bit of decay across the rear glass, nothing critical. We will assume that some pricey mechanical drawback despatched it to a yard simply south of the Denver metropolis limits.
This seems to be a sticker for Iron Lung Data of Seattle.
No place to go… besides the scrapper, as soon as it is achieved right here!
Make mates along with your quick.
The “make friends with your fast” marketing campaign wasn’t as a lot enjoyable because the “Unpimp ze Auto” one, in my view. You bought a bit GTI Quick Demon toy once you purchased the automotive, although.
