It is tagged as “one for the purists” by the brand – the Volkswagen Golf GTI three-door will return to the range in Mark 7.5 guise in August in strictly limited-edition specification.

Officially called the Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 and available in 150 units for an as-yet undisclosed price, the three-door gets the full electrically actuated mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) of the outgoing five-door Golf GTI Performance, but with higher outputs.

Power from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine moves from 169kW to 180kW, while torque shifts from 350Nm to 370Nm.

VW golf GTI 7.5 three door

In the latter case, though, the R doesn’t get the full-fat 228kW/400Nm available overseas because it is again restricted apparently due to our hot climate. The 0-100km/h claim is 4.6 seconds overseas and 4.8sec here, which is still two-tenths faster than before.

VW Golf GTI 7.5 engine bay

The GTI Performance Edition 1 three-door will also see the end of the GTI Performance five-door, while the exclusively Australia-only limited edition will be offered in either White Silver or Dark Iron Blue metallic paint only.

VW Golf GTI 7.5 interior

A $340 Merchandise Pack will also be thrown in for free, complete with a GTI-branded sports bag, umbrella, cup, folding box and beach towel.

The facelifted Golf GTI will go on-sale in June, with the Golf R to follow one month later.