Among water-cooled Volkswagen aficionados, the Mark 5 2004 Jetta GLI in a color called Blue Lagoon has become a unicorn. With this in mind, for 2021 Volkswagen rolled out a Jetta GLI concept car that reprises its sought-after predecessor.
Volkswagen limited the GTI 1337, a special edition made two years prior to the Blue Lagoon GLI, to just 1,500 examples. However, the GLI, a sedan with a body kit, BBS wheels, and Recaro seats just like the 1337, wasn’t designated as a special edition, and consequently, no record exists as to how many were produced in this exact configuration and paint color. Regardless, “The Jetta GLI has been an enthusiast favorite throughout its 37-year history,” said Sean Maynard, Volkswagen’s enthusiast and motorsport marketing specialist. “Paying tribute to the Mk4 with this build concept celebrates the passion that goes into these vehicles.”
Under the supervision of former Volkswagen product launch manager Andres Valbuena, a 2021 Jetta GLI Autobahn with a manual transmission was modified in the spirit of the 2004 model. Using a 2004 GLI’s fuel door to match the blue lagoon color, he and his team were able to come up with a shade that Orafol, the vinyl wrap manufacturer, calls midnight blue metallic. Wrapping the car in its entirety, door jambs and other pieces included, even when the doors, hood, or trunk are opened, it has the appearance of a car that’s been painted.
Air Design, the Oceanside, California-based studio for Mexico’s Air Design S.A. de C.V., a manufacturer of body kits, installed the exterior side skirts, and rear trunk spoiler, before Fifteen52 put the front lower spoiler in place. 20-inch BBS CH-R wheels, with Continental ExtremeContact Sport 235/35 ZR20 tires, were mounted by AlphaParts, and H&R Springs’ street performance coil-over suspension kit was utilized to provide the GLI with a more aggressive-looking attitude than it had previously.
The only interior modifications were Recaro Ergomed ES leather front seats, and a golf ball shift knob from Black Forest Industries. From start to finish, it took Valbuena’s team a little over a month to complete the build.
The first of what is being called the 2021 Volkswagen Enthusiast Fleet, can be seen at car shows and events across the country, a list of which was not provided.
[Images: Volkswagen]
As a GLI fan, I approve this message. Any attempt to add some flair to this car would be welcomed, the most desired being the tartan seats from the GTI.
Pretty spot on, it’s really the only big thing it lacks to the GLI.
Agreed. Those seats would look great in there. Of course I think they look great in about anything.
How long till the wrap peels? I have one wrapped in similar blue parked next to my house. Peeling well. But also smells horribly when warmed up by the sun
Quite attractive, if only because the front grille opening is reasonably sized…give it a non black interior and I’m loving it.
Finally. Good looking wheels on a VW GLi/GTi etc. This from a GLi owner. At least it has better looking wheels than any GTi.
love the look of this car.
The cabin is a black hole. Time stops at the event horizon.
This car is perfect on so many levels. Those wheels look perfect, so much better then the usual machined face crap VW is sticking on everything. Like other have said interior needs a little color… plaid inserts down the center of those seats and this car would be a perfect 10.
VW should put this into production.
Gorgeous, but would be mistaken for an Audi from many angles.
So I can’t buy this color, but I can see this wrap at a Car Show? You mean Car Shows that people stopped attending even before COVID? Is VeeDub going to build and sell such a car with these options – BBS wheels and all? Not sure I understand the point of all this. Just to tease us with nice things we can’t have?
The GTI being referred to was called the “337”, not “1337”. 337 was the original internal model code for the original GTI back in the day.
That’s tasty.
The hell with the color. Bring back the 6yr B2B warranty. No way I will own one of these outside a warranty.
This is funny. My GTi Mk2, had…BBS wheels, Recaro Seats, and a Golf Ball shift knob. The suspension won’t pass US regs, too low. So, they did the exact same thing they did back then. I hope Air Design didn’t get paid too much for this “design”. Also, 20 inch wheels ? Only if you live in Germany.