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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VW GTI Cabriolet Concept

The convertible is based on the standard Golf GTI with power coming from the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 210-horsepower and 280 Nm (207-lbs/ft) of peak torque at 1.800 rpm.


Volkswagen says the open-air model’s performance matches that of the closed-top GTI with a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7 seconds and a top speed of around 240km/h (149 mph).
Finished in a fire red “Firespark Metallic” color, the Golf GTI Cabriolet rides on a lowered suspension and black-silver 19-inch “Glendale” alloy wheels with 235 tires. The car’s appearance is more aggressive than the GTI hatchback thanks to the add-on aero parts designed in shiny black piano paint.

Volkswagen’s designers also made changes to the front bumper as the fog lights of the GTI gave way to air guides for ventilating the upgraded high-performance brake system that includes brake callipers painted in “Tornado Red” with black GTI logos. At the rear end, there’s a new diffuser with a honeycomb grille separating the redesign exhaust tail pipes.

The concept model’s interior features “Black Stripe” pattern accents and Nappa leather seats with red GTI logos in the head restraints, along with two-tone door inserts and aluminum sill plates. The red decorative seams on the leather-trimmed steering wheel and the trim of the gearshift and parking brake levers as well as on the seat belts complete the upgrades.


Even though VW says the Golf GTI Cabriolet is a pure concept for the time being, we see no reason why the company wouldn’t go ahead and build a production model in the very near future.

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VW Golf GTI Edition 35 with 235 HP

This year, Volkswagen is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the introduction of the original Golf GTI in 1976, and to mark the event, the German carmaker has unleashed a special version, named “Edition 35”. As with the “Edition 30” launched in 2006, the latest anniversary model benefits from an upgraded and more powerful engine as well as discreet styling tweaks that differentiate it from the standard Golf GTI.

Starting with the mechanical updates, the GTI's 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine is tuned to deliver an extra 25 horsepower, for a total of 235 horsepower. The increase in output should improve the hot hatch’s performance, but Volkswagen has not yet revealed any official figures, simply stating that the car will be more fun to drive. The automaker didn't say whether the “Edition 35” will feature a lower suspension than the stock car, as was the case with the “Edition 30”.

The changes on the outside include new, bespoke alloy wheels, blacked-out headlights and taillights, darkened rear and tailgate windows and glossy black finish on the grille and mirror caps. In addition, the headlights also feature LED daytime running lights, and the front fenders are adorned with “35” plates.

In the interior, the “Edition 35” motive is also present on the door sills, the head rests and the center of the seats. The latter sport a fabric upholstery that has a honeycomb-like pattern instead of the standard model's tartan theme. Another change is the golf ball-shaped gearshift lever.

The VW Golf GTI Edition 35 is already available to order in Germany with a starting price of €30,425 ($43,885). First deliveries are expected in mid June. The car's official launch will take place at the famous Worthersee GTI Meet (June 1-4), where Volkswagen will offer more details on the car.

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