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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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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Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabrio

If true, it could be the last version of the sixth generation Golf before Volkswagen lifts the covers off the new model at the Paris Motor Show this fall.

In concept form, the Golf GTI Cabrio sported the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot as its tin-top sibling with 210-horsepower and 280 Nm (207-lbs/ft) of peak torque at 1.800 rpm.

Volkswagen had said at the time that Cabrio's performance matched that of the regular GTI with a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7 seconds and a top speed of around 240km/h (149 mph).

Along with the punchy 2.0 TFSI, the GTI Cabrio also featured a more aggressive looking body kit and 19-inch wheels.

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VW GTI Reifnitz with 370HP

This is the VW Golf GTI Reifnitz from Volkswagen Coaching GmbH, a training division of VW, which the German automaker has debuted at the GTI-Wörthersee event in Austria.

With this model, the celebration of 35 years of the Golf GTI continues, although this model is for show only.

This Mk6 GTI variant comes with an aero kit and a new paint design along with a serious engine upgrade.

Output on this GTI Reifnitz totals 370 PS (272 kW / 365 bhp) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque, achieved by means of an APR Stage III turbocharger system along with an APR RSC performance exhaust which helped up-tune the 2.0 liter TFSI unit to almost double its standard power rating.

But even if you can't buy this GTI Reifnitz, Alabama-based tuner APR will be happy to sell you the turbocharger and exhaust systems that went into it.

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