Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli edition
October 10, 2008 by George Skentzos
Update: Read our Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli Review
Volkswagen has unveiled its most powerful GTI model yet with the new special edition Golf GTI Pirelli which made its official debut at the Australian International Motor Show.
Pirelli has a long history of producing special edition models with VW ever since the ‘Original Pirelli’ arrived on the UK market in 1983.
As you may have already guessed, the GTI Pirelli gains unique 18-inch Titanium-look Pirelli wheels shod in the latest generation of P-Zero ultra-performance tyres.
In anticipation for the next-generation Golf, the current GTI Pirelli boasts a power output of 169kW and 300Nm over the standard GTI’s 147kW.
This upgraded Turbo-FSI propels the GTI Pirelli to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 6.6 seconds and onto a top speed of 245km/h.
This performance is achievable every time thanks to the standard six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG).
Following Pirelli’s mantra that “power is nothing without control”, the GTI’s chassis, brakes and ESP combine for a well-balanced safety package that can perform masterfully on the track.
Body coloured bumpers and side skirts set the Pirelli model apart from the normal GTI along with unique branding featuring the Pirelli signature.
The interior boasts anthracite coloured lateral supports, seatbacks, head restraints and centre armrests which are upholstered in leather and offset by yellow stitching.
The centre seat panels do away with the regular tartan pattern and are replaced with anthracite micro fibre with a tyre tread pattern.
“Pirelli” equipment features also include heated seats, electrically adjustable lumbar supports in front, and all-leather centre armrest in the rear.
Available in both three and five-door body shapes, the Golf GTI Pirelli is priced from $47,490 and $48,990 respectively.
Print it: 
i like it, but to avoid being flamed down by the 3 MPS fans again that is all i will say.
Are you watching this HSV/FPV? I hope so because THIS is a limited edition..
Not hard is it? looks good doesn’t it? Go VW!
ehhh? 50 grand!! would a Pirelli edition look better in red than pastel yellow :/
Average mags too, I much prefer the original GTi’s they set it apart from the lower models and for nearly 10 grand less no?
And come to think of it isn’t this news about 1 year late?
Don’t worry about being flamed down.
It looks like a bee Marketing tool maybe
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bee, Volkswagen Pirelli is the one for me”, to corny. Okay, sorry.
Would be a great drive, 6.6 seconds is quick in anyone’s language.
Any other specs yet car advice?
Will you get to test one on a track?
Awesome…I would love a 5 door but alas I am too poor!
I reckon its work a $50.00 fuel card though.
dont you car advice?
I wrote more if you are interested.
not bad at all…I like the interior.
I totally agree with Ra’s comments (above). Somehow VW’s Special Editions tend to look a little less special that the regular editions. Personally, I think that’s a horrible yellow, and the rims are very ordinary.
Great specs but colour is a dealbreaker.
Getting rid of the old GTI stock before the new ones come in I see…
For $50 grand I would have something else.
DanMan, what do you mean listen HSV and FPV? Every Golf GTi needs this kind of power.
Really, i’d save the money, buy a standard GTi, get a ECU tune at one of the factory approved outlets (Revo?), keep the warranty and get more performance than this. I really wish VW wouldn’t force you to go aftermarket to merely keep up with the rest of the hot hatchback pack.
Err, Tim – no!
This is not an “old stock” engine, it’s a different engine to the outgoing GTI.
I don’t like the yellow, a darker colour should have been used for the “special”.
It’s not that much dearer than the Std GTI when you factor in the leather interior, DSG, and 18″ wheels.
But having bought a GTI in July, there is nothing about this edition that I would have waited for, even if it was known about at the time.
The newer engine with a bit more poke would have been nice, but there is nowhere where you can frequently use all of the 147kw/280Nm of the “standard” GTI and be legal anyway. I gave mine a bit of a prod the other night, and used 5500rpm only up a hill, and the damn thing was on 130 without the slightest strain, not even engine noise.
Yes, it was a closed track.
I disagree, 147kw isn’t really a great deal of power, pull out into a 100 zone, want to get up to speed quickly, its hardly brutal.
I will hear that the current power the HSV/FPV teams are putting out arn’t really necessary, but i mean, there being no were within the zones of the law you can use 147kw? Please.
Tom, if you use all of the 147kw in the GTI, you will get to 100ks in around 7 seconds or slightly less. That takes care of pulling into a 100 zone and getting up to speed quickly. How long does a “brutal” car take?
So tell me again how you would use all of it regularly around town, the above situation is the only one applicable. And in Melbourne, you’re lucky to find a freeway that still has a 100k limit – most of them are 80k or less :)
I’m not talking about the track, if you only have 147 there, it’s nowhere near what the GTI chassis can use. A stage 1 flash helps there – for less than $2000 (depending on which one you choose) you get 195Kw and 400Nm (give or take a few) in the 1380Kg car.
Disagree Tom, for a typical Australian road with speed limit being 100 and following the LAW, 147kw is plenty for a car like this. You don’t expect to tow anything, or use this car as a heavy hauler.
Trackwise thought, its a different story as you are looking to be the quickest you can be.
No need to write the car off just because VW are using the yellow paint colour for their ads. You can actually order this car in a few other colours too, but the yellow stitching on the leather interior parts is still yellow… but that looks really cool.
If this one is made in Germany and not South Africa it makes the decision all that much harder as to whether to wait for the next GTI which will definitely be only built in Germany.
I mean… screw buying a German car built in Mexico or South Africa and paying the premium for doing so. Honda’s built in Thailand are the worst quality I have ever seen from Honda, you may as well buy a Kia and see better quality at half the price.
Well said Tez!
VW trying to clear old stocks…. dont fall for it….
new ones coming out next year. with better built DSG – lighter and extra gear…
why pay 50k when you can get a discounted one for 32k now?
all for the marketing ploy which you are paying for and die out in 3 months time….
very good point. it is pretty obvious vw want to increase their sales before they stop production.
great car, but definitely worth the wait if you’re looking at buying a new gti.
whoever thinks 147kw can’t all be used, that’s the biggest load of crap considering peak power comes on at 5100rpm. as much as i love the mark 5 gti, acceleration past 120kmh feels slow, which i discovered during my test drive.
sorry to say, the 3 MPS is an absolute animal but my moneys still on the golf.
Reckless1, 7 seconds is still a long time. And of course you can’t use all of those ‘mighty’ 147 killerwasps around town, but only P platers and fools drive like that. Sorry, but i’ve driven a GTi, i was actually surprised, it felt slightly underpowered as to what i was expecting. It’s still a fun car to drive, but i’m not going to kid myself that it wouldn’t be better off with a power figure around 190.
Good car to cruise up and down Oxford St in. Hairdressers will love the colour. A perfect car for Richo and Reckless! on their first date
I found the GTI a nice Blend of drivabilty and performance. No part of the packadge overwelmed any thing else/everything in balance. Was nice. in ordun as the Germans Say.
147kw is really all you need. Honest. If your comfortable with your ‘packadge’ anyway…
Power to weight ratio is the ONLY performance yardstick that is worth a damn anyway… And the GTI seems to be right in that respect..
Miss my candy white one…
“If your comfortable with your ‘packadge’ anyway…” i really hate comments like that, i hold them right up there 4 cylinder sports car drivers (you know the ones) going “take it to the twisties” for everything.
Let me dispell some myths. Lee, where are you getting your information from? The Golf VI GTI has slightly more power but is no quicker than the current model however is more economical but by about 50 dollars a year more if you drive 20000 plus k’s p/a. I have it on authority that it will land about $3000 more than the current model at each spec level. What does that do to your math? I just ordered a pirelli in black. I have seen the manufacturing manifest on the VW computer at the dealer and both 3 & 5 door variants are made at their plant in Germany. My Pirelli cost about 4 grand more on road than the equivalent regular GTI. It has more power, more style, and the wheel and tyre package is worth the difference alone. Plus I don’t have wait 12 months plus for the next one plus waiting list time. Mark V looks better as well. I suggest anyone thinking about waiting for the next 157kw (vs. My 169kw) mark VI – have another look at the Pirelli!
Love this car and Volkwagen!
My Dad’s still got a ‘79 Volkwagen 2000cc Kombi still in his garage
As for dodgy ‘hoon’ upgrades, do you really seriously think that a team of backyard tuners can do a better job at making a car engine achive it’s proper balance of power and fuel economy to mate seemlessly with the cars chassis that the genius German engineers of the German automotive industry can achieve? Like the Pirelli GTI moto: ‘Power is nothing without control’
Ok for starters,
I can confirm Mick E’s thoughts. We just took delivery of a Pirelli today – (in ‘Magic Black). And in relation to a few other posts, YES the yellow does break the sales a bit… it’s too dull and not vibrant enough. They could have done the yellow better but in saying that, the yellow on the GTi Pirelli is limited to the Pirelli. No other golf has that shade of yellow (although some probably do look fairly close if not the same.) This version of the Pirelli is also very limited in the fact that there is only 500 in Australia and 3222 in the whole world (ref. – VW magazine spring/summer 2008) and if you decide that you want to wait for the next one. well.. that’s in 2033. So if you want one, go get it cause they will sell out fast.
If anybody has questions that just ask away cause i have one so i will probably know the answer.
Oh and yes, they are made in Germany.
Your manual – parts are in German!
The stickers around the Engine – German!
and yes, they have translated the important stuff.
The one that we got today has literally only been in the country for a few weeks.
Hi Brodie K!
Interested in your comments on your New Pirelli Golf given now you have had it 2 months!(lucky)
Info such as everyday drive ability, comfort features and road noise, what do you think? How does it go on the rougher roads, the engine under strain of Air-con and how it performs at the traffic light G.P would also be handy for would be purchasers like me!
Thanks in advance!
Anth.
I have just brought a Pirelli. Goes very well, esp in sports mode.
Im about to get the APR installed will lift the game from 169kw to 229kw thats what Im talking about!!!!
Also well said brodie, theres stuff all of them left, while the standard GTIs are just flooding the market, these puppies are going to be worth alot more on resale….
Just picked up my brand new 5 door pirelli (with 5 yr warranty) yesterday – what a fantastic car – and fantastic service from the dealer also. Drove a standard GTI, and an A3 Sportsback before the purchase. the pirelli is so much better than both in looks and drive.