Euro Spec vs. US Spec

[Skijumper]

Hi, Im new to the forums and I have been dreaming about buying a GTI but I'm curious as to what the differences are between the Euro Spec and the US Spec and how difficult it would be to get a Euro Spec GTI in the states, I live in CO if that helps...

Thanks

[someguy123]

Next to impossible.

[Skijumper]

I thought I heard that they were selling the EU spec ones here before they started importing the US ones

[feels_road]

What exactly do you mean by Euro spec? Seats? Color? Horizontal license plate holder?

Some things are easily changed with after market parts, others are not.

[ycchan]

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. Neither the author nor this site will be held liable for actions taken resulting from the information set forth herein. Although reasonable effort is made to present accurate information, the author nor this site makes no guarantees of any kind.

For those of you wondering the differences between European and US spec MK5 Golf GTIs:

Interior (incl optional features not found in US spec cars)

1. Auto dimming rear view mirror + rain sensor
2. HHC (Hill holding control)
3. Alarm w/ interior monitoring + tilt sensor (system can be disabled for towing)
4. Auto headlight control with coming home/leaving function + (Euro light switch)
5. RCD300 - Single CD. RCD500 - In dash 6 CD changer (later models mp3 compatible)
6. Factory 6 CD Changer in armrest
7. Sliding cup holder with integrated VW bottle opener*
8. Different arm rest*
9. Passive TPMS system "SET"
10. Sport cloth seats (Ordinary cloth seats for North America)
11. Recaro seats w/ Vienna leather trim. Heatable. (without side airbags)
12. Drivers cubby bin (Standard in Canada)
13. Driver's seat w/ 12-way electric adjustment
14. Passenger underseat storage bin
15. Single stalk cruise control (since 2004)
16. Ipod Centre Console
17. Privacy glass (rear and rear-side windows)
18. Launch Control (since 2004) Demo

Exterior

1. Higher ride height for North American models.
2. Additional side blinker lights (North American models)
3. Different bumpers to accommodate NA style license plates
4. Euro Lip
5. Rear Park Distance Control**
6. Automatic kerb function when reversing, passenger’s side exterior mirror**
7. Additional Noise pipe (North American models only)
8. Folding exterior side-mirrors
9. Rear fog w/ single reverse light. amber turn signals & half circle brake lights
10. Illuminated vanity mirrors
11. European Projector Fog Lights
12. DRL (Standard in NA. Mandatory in Canada)

* - Linked options
** - Linked features

Miscellaneous

1. Remote for Euro Spec cars do not have a red panic button.
2. Central locking switch only on drivers side. (Euro models)

All photos are property of their respective owners

Modified by ycchan at 5:27 PM 11-20-2008

[Loke]

Quote, originally posted by Skijumper »

Hi, Im new to the forums and I have been dreaming about buying a GTI but I'm curious as to what the differences are between the Euro Spec and the US Spec and how difficult it would be to get a Euro Spec GTI in the states, I live in CO if that helps... Thanks

Living in Phoenix I sometimes see Mexicans driving Euro models such as the Lupo. I don't know if VW imports them or if the consumers take advantage of lax laws to bring them over. I'm sure you could smuggle something in from Mexico.

[svander]

Quote, originally posted by Loke »

Living in Phoenix I sometimes see Mexicans driving Euro models such as the Lupo. I don't know if VW imports them or if the consumers take advantage of lax laws to bring them over. I'm sure you could smuggle something in from Mexico.

The reason why you see those cars there is because Volkswagen de Mexico offers the Lupo and the Polo for sale there (among others such as the Pointer, the Derby, SportVan, CrossFox, Sharan, and the Eurovan Diesel).

You could certainly drive to Mexico and buy a car there. Good luck with the bureaucratic process of legalizing the vehicle in the US though.

As far as the differences between GTIs in Euro or NA spec, the differences are mostly cosmetic for the exception of the DSG program. VWVortex Staff that has testdriven both Euro and NA units state that the Euro DSG Sport programming is a little more agressive.

Other than that, the differences are more than anything relating to package options and individual options that are not available in Northamerica.

Exterior differences are only the side bumper markers and the springs.

[big bentley]

Im not sure why it wasnt mentioned, but a rear euro bumper is indeed different from a US one.

[baat06]

Quote, originally posted by ycchan »

Most of the changes between Euro and US spec is in the interior. Exterior is mainly the difference in ride height and additional side blinker lights. Euro spec GTIs (also optional features) have: -Auto dimming rear view mirror -Interior Motion sensor (Alarm) -Rain and Auto Light Sensor (Euro light switch) -Rear Fog lights -Different radio (RCD300/500) -Different Cup holder -Different arm rest -Different seats -Drivers cubby bin -PDC -Folding Side-mirrors -Launch Control (2004 onwards) Feel free to add more... Modified by ycchan at 3:39 PM 1-16-2007

I would guess that it would be far easier and less expensive to add these items than to import a euro-spec. Most have been covered in DIYs. I haven't seen anyone tackle the motion sensor or folding mirrors tho.

[BumbleBeeJBG]

Quote, originally posted by baat06 »

I haven't seen anyone tackle the motion sensor or folding mirrors tho.

That's cause there's more new wiring involved in doing it then the christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

[dr. pimento]

Quote, originally posted by ycchan »

Euro spec GTIs (also optional features) have: -Launch Control (2004 onwards) Modified by ycchan at 3:39 PM 1-16-2007

US GTIs have Launch Control now.

[ycchan]

Quote, originally posted by dr. pimento »

US GTIs have Launch Control now.

I know. Thats why there is a date "2004".