View key info

It was fast. It was nimble. It was fun. And it had attitude.

GTI loyalty runs deep No surprise to owners who return generation after generation: The GTI won the IHS Markit Automotive Loyalty award in the sport car category based on an analysis of approximately 17.5 million new vehicle registrations during the 2017 model year.

The original 1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI sported red plaid seats, snowflake wheels, and a golf ball shift knob. It helped create a brand new category of sports car; the hot hatch.

Now, the Rabbit is back for 2019 as a special edition model — the GTI Rabbit Edition is the first GTI to pay tribute to the Rabbit heritage since the 2003 20th Anniversary vehicle. Here’s why we should all be excited.

Enthusiasm builds

The GTI has always been notable for its blending of sportiness and practicality. Take the Mk1 GTI: It featured a unique combination of sports-car performance, signature stylistic accents, and an iconic shape that won a cult following when it first hit U.S. shores in 1983.