Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6 – full details unveiled!
Volkswagen has unveiled the production version of the Mk6 Volkswagen Golf GTI and some journalists have already managed to have a go at it at the international driving presentation in Saint-Tropez, France. This blog has no such luck so we’ll just have a look at the details while we wait for the Mk6 to reach our shores and then perhaps we can have a go, like we did with the Mk5 Golf GTI. For now you’ll have to wait for write-ups in the local magazines, and read my write-up after the jump.
As you can see from the shot above the GTI in its sixth incarnation looks nothing like the first version, though the red lining around the front grille remains. The Mk6 shares more in common with the Mk4 so you’ll be able to spot the resemblance with those two vehicles side by side instead. Of course, the man in the shot is Hans-Joachim Stuck, who worked closely with Volkswagen in developing the new GTI.
Stuck reminiscened to the old days of the Mk1, which had a 110 PS 1.8 liter engine which according to him had a willing less to rev that was fun from day one. The new GTI is quite different, using an engine that is only slightly larger but makes nearly twice the power thanks to the use of a turbocharger and direct fuel injection.
The EA888 engine produces 210 PS and a massive 280Nm of torque from as low as 1,700rpm up to 5,200rpm. It is differentiated from the Mk5 engine via new pistons and piston rings, a regulated oil pump, a new vacuum pump, a new high-pressure fuel pump and a new mass airflow sensor. For greenheads, emissions are Euro 5 compliant at 170g/km and the engine sips only 7.3 liters (7.4L for the DSG) of fuel per 100km, compared to 8.0 liters on the Mk5 GTI. It also has a lower compression ratio of 9.6:1 compared to the Mk5’s 10.5:1.
Want more numbers? 0 to 100km/h takes just 6.9 seconds. A 240 km/h top speed with the manual transmission is achieved at top gear at 5,900rpm. With the 6-speed twin clutch DSG, the top speed is 238km/h at top gear with the rev needle pointing to 5,920rpm.
The new Mk6 also has a standard electronic transverse differential lock, or what Volkswagen calls XDS. The Mk6 chassis is lowered with the GTI – 22mm at the front and 15mm at the rear. The dampers now have electronic damper control, which is controlled via the DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control system. This can setup various car parameters according to the mode you are in – Nomral, Sport and Comfort. In Sport mode, in addition to stiffening the dampers, the power steering is also set for better responsiveness.
XDS uses braking pressure to emulate the function of a differential lock. If the system detects that the wheel at the inside of the curve that the GTI is taking is insufficiently loaded, the car will brake this wheel to restore traction. It helps compensate for the typical front wheel drive understeer through fast curves.
There are various driver aids provided with the car, The GTI has generation II of the Park Assist system, which requires only a space of 1.1 meters, down from 1.4 meters. With Park Assist II, the GTI can reverse into a parallel parking spot automatically, with the driver only needed to control the brakes and accelerator (and clutch in the manual). There is also Adaptive Cruise Control, which requires less intervention from the driver as it brakes and accelerates the GTI while looking out for the distance to the car in front via a laser sensor in the rear view mirror.
The Mk5 GTI can still be purchased from various Volkswagen Malaysia dealers. Later in the year we’ll get to check out this new Mk6 as well as the Scirocco on our grounds. For now, please enjoy the hi-res photos and the videos.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6 UK OTR Prices:
Golf GTI 3-door 6-speed manual – £22,410.00
Golf GTI 5-door 6-speed manual – £22,995.00
Golf GTI 3-door 6-speed DSG – £23,715.00
Golf GTI 5-door 6-speed DSG – £24,300.00
VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf GTI – Beauty Shots
VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf GTI – Driving Scenes
VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf GTI – Interior Shots
VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf GTI – Mk1 and Mk6
VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf GTI – Concept Mk6
March 23, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Still prefer the previous model…
March 23, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
still looks good. but the rims..they should change the design..tired looking at this kind of rims design..lambo..alfa..or even gen2!
March 23, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
nice..good looking..but the rims,.?
March 23, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
I think that VW should be cautious in selling this car because the previous GTI was sold in such a big volume while there is so much similarity between MK5 n MK6 so MK6 GTI may not be as popular as MK5 GTI…
March 23, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
Fantastic fuel economy for a sports car. Hope they will improve on the boring grey interior.
March 23, 2009 @ 9:15 pm
i love gti ..
it looks more like it’s brother, the sirocco ..
March 23, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
hmmmmmmm looks less aggressive. the previous model looks nicer leh.
280Nm is massive??? i guess that’s relative.
March 23, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Woah! Nice piece of thang.
March 23, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
the speedometer shows 10, 20, 30 … till 60, then 80, 100, 120, 140, then 220, 250, 280. inter val of 10km/h at first, then 20, at near top speed become 30. means the needle moves at different rates across the speedo range? cool…
March 24, 2009 @ 1:04 am
[quote comment="223740"]the speedometer shows 10, 20, 30 … till 60, then 80, 100, 120, 140, then 220, 250, 280. inter val of 10km/h at first, then 20, at near top speed become 30. means the needle moves at different rates across the speedo range? cool…[/quote]
Wow, I din realize it. Cool.
BTW, there’s one part showing a rear camera pops out of the VW emblem. That’s so cool.
March 24, 2009 @ 1:32 am
overall interior is boring. yawn~
March 24, 2009 @ 9:55 am
[quote comment="223740"]the speedometer shows 10, 20, 30 … till 60, then 80, 100, 120, 140, then 220, 250, 280. inter val of 10km/h at first, then 20, at near top speed become 30. means the needle moves at different rates across the speedo range? cool…[/quote]
true. my polo is similar, +10 increments up to 80km/h, then +20 increments until 260km/h. cool
this mk6 golf doesn’t look as aggressive as mk5 i think.
Paul, the EA888 engine, does it use variable turbine geometry turbo or normal turbo?
March 24, 2009 @ 10:03 am
Look at the their pricing factor. Anyone ?
March 24, 2009 @ 10:12 am
don know why…. i always prefer japanese designed deshboard.
March 24, 2009 @ 10:51 am
If i not mistaken is normal turbo, but the new engine is now timing chain driven, compare to the old 1 which is timing belt.
March 24, 2009 @ 10:57 am
look at the old one mk1
pewww nice loking car there
March 24, 2009 @ 11:05 am
A lower compression ratio … mean can give abit more boost.
March 24, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Good to see this MK6, but once again, mere mortals like us can only drool over cars like these.
I agree that the rims would have to go, it’s just to widely replicated these days.
March 24, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
Kraft durch Freude! You’ve come a long way VW, and you’re always in my heart!
March 24, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
if only i can afford it….
March 24, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
So when? How much?
March 24, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
Paul..do u have any idea bout the VW preowned program..Wonder the price of the Golf GTI mk5.hmmmm..
Lovely MK6..damned..
March 24, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
Like the interior very much, sophisticated yet maintain the interior quality as previous model.
March 24, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
I want one!
March 24, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
Scirocco later this year? Woohoo!!! =D
March 24, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
for preown vw check out – http://www.volkswagen.com.my/preowned
The GTI MK5 also have some differential. Check out the MK5 brochure download from VW website – Electronic differential lock (EDL) ensures optimal traction on every ground surface.
Did they just change name EDL to XDS and market it as something new?
March 24, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
I just came in my pants
March 24, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
The Mk5 looks better IMHO
March 24, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Looks like a fun car to drive. I hope VW will maintain it’s 2 din audio system if it comes here. The rim in this photos looks like it can hurt people : )
March 25, 2009 @ 10:41 am
The VW golf has always been a ‘king’ of hot hatches in terms of popularity. The looks of the new one seems to much better in my opinion compared to the previous version. The Mk5 was plagued with all sort of lemon issues due to the manufacturing process. Now if they have solved all the problems with the previous version this would be a real killer.
Only problem… whats with that old fuddy duddy checkered interior??? Time to move on I say.
March 25, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
u can ask the info more at VW car PJ, the curve, Bangsar (near junction before dataran Maybank), also ABT bangsar.
March 25, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
of all the vw cars, the golf has always been my fav… handsome, fun and sexy
someone buy me one pls heheheh
March 26, 2009 @ 8:06 am
looks like a refined version of the Mk5. Its hard to believe the engine FWD setup can deal with so much torque. Does the car have some sort of torque management system like Focus or Mazda3 does?
March 26, 2009 @ 8:52 am
[quote comment="224362"]looks like a refined version of the Mk5. Its hard to believe the engine FWD setup can deal with so much torque. Does the car have some sort of torque management system like Focus or Mazda3 does?[/quote]
280Nm of torque is nothing int he world of hot hatches. Check out the new ford focus RS. It has 410Nm of torque. NOw that is massive! You don’t really need a torque management system for 280Nm. =P
March 28, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
“The GTI has generation II of the Park Assist system, which requires only a space of 1.1 meters, down from 1.4 meters. With Park Assist II, the GTI can reverse into a parallel parking spot automatically, with the driver only needed to control the brakes and accelerator (and clutch in the manual). There is also Adaptive Cruise Control, which requires less intervention from the driver as it brakes and accelerates the GTI while looking out for the distance to the car in front via a laser sensor in the rear view mirror.”
~ This is magic. It’s future here now. ~
April 28, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
with our tax structure, most of us can only dream of having good car.. very unfortunate
June 4, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
but RS’s 410Nm came from a 2.5L engine..280Nm for a 2.0L can be considered ok,though Peugeot’s 1.6L got 240,now that’s outstanding,hehehe
July 22, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
when does it come to malaysia ?
September 3, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
I heard mk6 is coming in this Saturday which is 5/9/09 at Auto City, Juru. gotta have a look