Rjluna digged up a few days ago this oddity :
https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_720262-Volkswagen-Rabbit-GTI-Typ-17-1979.html

Looks like the canadian market did had a GTI for 1979-1980 but only as cosmetic upgrade over the regular Rabbit ( similar to the fake 2.0 115hp GTI we had in mid 90's )

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/vintage-ads-and-brochures/vintage-ad-1980-volkswagen-rabbit-gti-good-try-imitation/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ifhp97/51605584473

Since they're GTI only by look and not by mechanical parts , should we put GTI as extra info or still keep it in the name ?

There was something similar with the Peugeot 106 Rallye (I think) in Germany, where it had the look without the sporty engine.
In this case the GTI is more a trim than a specific model then I suppose? It could be put in extra info then