Volkswagen has dropped a new set of pictures of its seventh-generation Golf GTI, which for the first time in history comes with two power levels – the standard 220 PS/217hp GTI model (which has twice the power of the first Golf GTI) and the GTI Performance with 230 PS/227 hp.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct injection four-banger is from the third generation of the EA888 engine series and has a completely newly developed cylinder head. It also features variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment and develops more torque – 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), up from 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft).
Together with the standard start-stop system, this contributes to an average fuel consumption for both power levels of 6 liters/100 km (39.2 US mpg), accounting for an 18 percent improvement over the previous model (with manual gearbox).
Also favoring lower fuel consumption is the lighter MQB architecture, which has trimmed 42 kilograms (92.6 lbs) from the previous Golf GTI’s overall weight of 1,393 kg (3,071 lbs).
Performance wise, the manual Golf GTI does 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 246 km/h (152.8 mph), while the manual GTI Performance is 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The latter also comes with a mechanical differential lock and a braking system with larger dimensions and internally-ventilated discs at all four wheels.
Volkswagen said the new GTI will have progressive steering, xenon headlights and ambience lighting as standard, as well as safety systems including Driver Alert, Automatic Post-Collision Braking and XDS+ vehicle dynamics function.
VW‘s hot-hatch will arrive at dealers in Europe starting in May (a month later in the UK). Advance sales have already begun, with the starting price in Germany set at €28,350 ($36,950) for the GTI and €29,475 ($38,410) for the GTI Performance.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
