The Golf GTI First Decade combines a 410bhp 2-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels with a 48-volt electric motor that drives the rear wheels with a maximum output of 12kW. The two drive systems can be used separately, but also work hand-in-hand when required.
The car can be operated conventionally (front-wheel-drive), in purely electric mode (rear-wheel-drive) and in combined mode (all-wheel-drive). The mild electric propulsion system offers the benefits of zero-emission, silent driving during parking manoeuvres and for short distances in residential areas or in stop-and-go traffic (electric mode). Through the recovery of braking energy (regenerative braking), two batteries in the rear of the vehicle are charged. This energy allows further carbon-neutral driving in electric mode.
On more demanding surfaces, the combination of front- and rear-drive for starting assistance (electric all-wheel-mode) comes into its own. The modes can be selected and controlled from a tablet PC using an app or from the infotainment display via Mirror Link.
The two-door Golf mod job is painted in Atlantic Blue Metallic, with the doors and rear side panels featuring large areas of foil in the contrasting color of Satin Ocean Shimmer. Stripes of glossy blue chrome foil underline the racing design. Rally stripes on the bonnet and roof take up the composition of three blue tones with contrasting foils. The sporting presentation is underlined by the high-gloss black paintwork of the honeycomb radiator grille, Clubsport rear spoiler and 20-inch alloy wheels.
The wheel rims from mb-Design are decorated by hubs painted in Ocean Shimmer. The starting number 10 on the C-pillars and the “First Decade” logo on the tailgate signal that this show car is the 10th Wörthersee GTI from the Wolfsburg talent factory.
GTI drivers in this two-seater benefit from top sports seats. The driver’s seat can be adjusted electrically using an app on a smartphone or tablet. The seat offers several back-massage profiles with a memory function. The sports seats are handmade – titanium black Nappa leather/Alcantara combination with decorative blue stitching. Punched Alcantara sections have a blue background and the central section is decorated by an embroidered “10” at the top.
The racing design of the exterior is taken up in a more restrained way in the interior of the vehicle. Decorative strips painted in Ocean Satin Shimmer surround the air outlets and the instrument cluster. The steering wheel clasp and the decorative trim strips on the sides feature the same colour, with the starting number 10 in Atlantic Blue. The dark blue trim above the glove compartment bears the “First Decade” logo in Satin Ocean Shimmer.
Instead of backseats and a luggage compartment, the rear of the cabin accommodates a high-end sound system with 1690 watts from 11 loudspeakers and a subwoofer, as well as a special rear hi-fi installation with LED lighting on a carbon-covered base plate. The batteries and control electronics for the electric rear-axle drive system are installed under the base plate.
For the Golf GTI First Decade, the 18- to 23-year-old apprentices completed part of the work rapidly and efficiently using digital technologies. Designs were created on graphic tablets, and special components were designed on CAD computers and produced using advanced 3-D printing technology. In the course of the project, the apprentices from six vocations gained considerable specialist knowledge and expertise, and grew together to form a strong team around the project manager Holger Schülke.
The Golf GTI First Decade is the latest of 10 VW show car projects since 2008. Each unique car bears witness to the high level and practical character of vocational training at Volkswagen. 
Check out this modified VW Golf GTI Mk 5 in Singapore.
Check out the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S that set a Nurburgring lap record.
