The standard Volkswagen Golf GTI uses petrol fuel. The GTI—short for “Grand Touring Injection”—was conceived as a sporty, fuel-injected version of the Golf rather than as an electric, diesel, hybrid, or alternative-fuel model.
The first Golf GTI appeared in 1976, based on the original Mk1 Golf. It used a 1.6-litre fuel-injected petrol engine and quickly established the “hot hatch” formula: practical hatchback bodywork combined with stronger performance and sharper handling. Later GTI generations continued using turbocharged petrol engines, including the 2.0-litre TSI units used in modern versions.
A common mix-up is confusing the GTI with other Golf powertrains. Volkswagen has sold diesel GTD versions, electric e-Golf models, and plug-in-hybrid GTE versions. The Golf R is also petrol-powered, but it is a separate, more powerful performance model. “Petrol” is the usual British and international term; “gasoline” means the same fuel in American usage.