The Volkswagen Jetta GLI debuted in the United States in 1984 for buyers who wanted a GTI powertrain but preferred a sedan body over a hatchback. GLI 2024 40th Anniversary Edition is now available in the US in a limited run of 1,984 examples. Models start at $28,085 (details on destination costs are not yet available) and go on sale this summer.
The Jetta GLI 40th Anniversary Edition will be available in Pure Grey, Pure White and Rising Blue colours. They all feature black trim for the grille, mirror caps and a small rear spoiler. Red accents also appear on the nose and badge.
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The special edition rides on 18-inch 10-spoke wheels with black finish. The brake calipers behind them are red.
The interior of the 40th Anniversary Edition features cloth seats with an asymmetrical deboss in the center. The seats also have red piping and a “GLI 40” label. Both cupholders have the GLI logo on the front and 1984 on the bottom. The “40” logo is on the six o’clock steering wheel spokes.
The 40th Anniversary Edition does not receive any powertrain changes in the existing GLI Autobahn. This gives the sedan a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a six-speed manual and electronic differential lock.
We’ve contacted VW about the availability and cost of the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The 1984 VW Jetta GLI uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine 90 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. While modest by modern standards, it was competitive for an entry-level sports sedan at the time. The version with the 16 valve engine increased output to 123 hp for the 1988 model year.
There’s no GLI model for the third-generation Jetta in the US, but VW revived the moniker for the fourth-generation model. Like the original, it shares powertrains with the GTI hatchback, including the VR6 and 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
