The new Golf GTI, the Mac Daddy of all hot hatchbacks, is coming to the Geneva Motor Show next month with two normal and Performance edition models. As always, the GTI is not big on power, and cares more about driving pleasure than performance numbers.
Both models share a 2.0 liter turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, which makes 220 PS in the standard version and 230 PS in the Performance edition. The latter also features larger brake discs and a front limited-slip differential (VAQ), but the performance difference is not that significant.
The standard car goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, the Performance does it in 6.4. The normal GTI tops 152 mph, the performance 155. Both models do well over 40 mpg in terms of fuel economy.
Visually, the GTi has always been discreetly sporty, and that is the case with this model. You get red-painted brake callipers, two chrome tailpipes and sports suspension, as well as 17-inch Brooklyn wheels, a subtle real diffuser, LED lights and smoked taillights. Only people who know what they’re looking at realize it is a GTi. To the rest it is just a Golf.
Interior features include sports seats with the classic tartan cloth upholstery, a black rooflining and red ambience lighting, pus a very cool sports steering wheel, sport pedals, and GTI instrument cluster and shift knob.
Prices for the new Golf GTI starts from €28,350 in the UK.
