VW Golf GTI Mk6 Last Edition

German tuning brand of all things related to the VW Group, ABT Sportsline, introduced a "Last Edition" version of the current Golf GTI Mk6 at the Essen Motor Show, which runs until December 9.

The ABT VW Golf GTI Last Edition is offered in two flavors as far as power is concerned, a base model with a reprogrammed ECU that lifts the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output from 211PS (208hp) to 260PS (256hp), and a stage II version gaining a new turbocharger with 310PS (306hp).

The GTI also gets a sports suspension that lower's the ride height by 25mm (1 inch) with the 310PS model gaining a new braking system with 345mm discs as well.

ABT Sportsline rounds out the package with cosmetic touches in the form of an aero kit with a front apron that includes a lip spoiler and LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a rear diffuser with a diagonal 4-pipe exhaust system and a roof spoiler, all of which feature red accents, plus new alloy wheels and red splash decals on the body.

Last but not least, ABT said that it will offer the final edition Golf GTI package at "special" prices, without providing specific MSRPs.

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Andrea and her VW Golf GTI V Club Sport

Apart from being a qualified real estate agent and having won the Miss Yamaha 2012 and Monster Energy Girl titles, the 23-year-old woman has also obtained an "A" racing license and will participate at events such as the Nürburgring-based VLN and GLP series.

Having prepared her Volkswagen Golf GTI V, BBM Motorsport didn't miss out on the opportunity to showcase Andrea alongside her race-prepped car.

BBM Motorsport's Golf GTI V Club Sport tune entails a series of upgrades starting with the 2.0-liter TSI engine that benefits, among other things, from a new turbocharger, a big double-DIN charge air cooler and a custom exhaust system to lift output from 197hp (200PS) and 280Nm to 331hp (336PS) and 460Nm respectively.

The tuner quotes a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 275km/h (171mph).

The Club Sport package also brings a KW Club Sport coilover suspension with adjustable strut bearings along with Stoptech brake system with new discs in the size of 355 x 32 mm and 4-piston calipers, while the GTI rides on 18-inch lightweight TEC-rims by ASA wrapped around in semi-slick tires size 225/40-18.

The car's exterior is covered in a matte-teal foil wrap while inside, the rear seat bench was eliminated and replaced with a race-spec roll cage, while up front, is a pair of racing bucket seats.

According to BBM Motorsport, Friedrich's GTI tips the scales at 1,275kg or 2,811 pounds.

The complete transformation costs €19,500 (equal to US$25,215), excluding installation.

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2013 VW Golf GTI

The German automaker even released a launch date: the new Golf GTI in both three- and five-door body styles will go on sale in mainland Europe in early 2013 and in the UK next summer (no word yet on when it will arrive in North America).

The new GTI stands out from lesser versions of the Golf thanks to its honeycomb grille (first introduced in the Mk5) with double red-stipe accents, the smoked LED rear lights and license plate illumination, the red brake calipers behind the five-spoke alloy wheels and the 80 mm diameter tailpipes with a chrome finish.

Traditional GTI themes, such as the golf ball-shaped gear lever, the tartan cloth upholstery and the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel confirm that this is a production-ready car.

Like all Mk7 Golfs, the GTI rides on VW’s all-new MQB platform. It gets a variable-ratio steering system, which in theory at least, makes driving easier at low speeds while providing the necessary feedback when the driver is pressing on.

The big news is that the GTI’s new 2.0-liter four-cylinder, direct injection turbocharged engine, not only is more powerful that its predecessor, but it will also be offered in two outputs, with buyers having the choice of two six-speed gearboxes, a standard manual and an optional dual-clutch DSG.

In standard spec, output is 220PS (217HP) and maximum torque 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) – 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) more than the previous model and equal to the Mk6 Golf R. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is 246 km/h (153 mph).

Thanks to VW’s technology, which includes direct injection and a standard auto stop/start system, the manual gearbox-equipped GTI has an average fuel consumption of 6.0 lt/100 km (47.1 mpg Imperial, 39.2 mpg US) and emits 140 g of CO2 per km. Thus, it fulfills not only current emission regulations but also the stricter EU-6 standards that will come into effect in 2014.

For the first time ever, VW offers a factory-prepared “performance pack”. Those expecting huge power gains will be disappointed: output is increased by just 10PS (10HP), the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time drops by a mere 0.1 seconds to 6.5" and top speed is barely higher at 250 km/h (155 mph).

In fact, the “performance pack” seems like a misnomer; calling it the “handling pack” would probably be more fitting. That's because, despite the modest increase in performance figures, it also includes a differential lock that reduces power understeer and larger diameter front discs.

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2014 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7

The new Golf GTI is also going to be shown as a near-production study. What this means is that that the car's looks and mechanicals will remain virtually unchanged when it goes on sale next year starting with Europe in spring.

Volkswagen's new hot hatch incorporates all the traditional design cues of the series like the honeycomb upper and lower front grilles with red accents, which now extend to the angular headlamps, five spoke alloy wheels wrapped in beefy tires, and two large exhaust pipes split far.

The darkened tail lamps, rear diffuser in black, a discreet roof spoiler, the LED headlamps and the new black trim on the front bumper round out the visual changes on the outside.

Inside, you will find classic tartan upholstery covering the body-hugging sport seats along with black piano trim décor, and red stitching applied on the flat-bottom sports steering wheel and the transmission lever.

There's no official information from Volkswagen yet, but Autobild magazine is reporting that the next Golf GTI gets a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 217Hp (220PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) in regular guise and 227Hp (230PS) with an optionally available performance package.

Power will be transferred to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual or an optional dual clutch transmission.

The magazine claims that the regular GTI will complete the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 6.6 seconds and top out at 246km/h (153mph), and the 227Hp (230PS) in 6.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

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