Well, the distinctiveness of the GTI as a separate model came and went with the Mark V. There's no mistaking a Mark V GTI from the front.
The problem I see is that a well-optioned standard GTI, say with leather, roof and Xenons, will cost almost as much as a PP.
VWA needs to either offer an option pack on the base GTI or offer the PP in manual.
It is a joke that the sportier of the two versions does not have a manual option. If anything, it should have been the other way around!
Will Rud Centrax and such chains fit on the 18" rims. May one presume that it is a +1 fitment so the rolling diameter is the same as the 17" rims. Clearance same too?