Volkswagen is still reluctant to join the horsepower war in the hot hatch segment, and is preparing only a mild power boost for the next generation golf GTI.

The current 2.0 liter turbo four-banger will be get a light tweak up to 220 bhp. Instead of adding loads of power to their car, like Ford and Opel do, VW is seeking performance through lightness and precise engineering. So the next-gen GTI will feature a new type of electronically-controlled locking differential that makes the best of that 220  horses.

Fighting off cars like Ford Focus, or Vauxhall Astra OPC is a job for the Golf R. The R Golf will soon get a cabrio version as previewed a the Worthersee event earlier this year. They get the 261 bhp turbo four-cylinder, and while it’s good power, it is still no match for the 300+ hp Fords.

One other significant change that will affect the Golf lineup is the modifications VW is going to make to the 1.4 liter twin-charged engine. It apparently loses its supercharger and will rely on its turbocharger alone to make 150 hp. There has been some complaints about this engine’s smoothness. Well, this change should solve the problem!

via: Autocar