Volkswagen Golf GTI Concept unveiled in Paris

Volkswagen Golf GTI Concept unveiled in Paris

Yes, we now come to the all-important GTI version of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf, which has been shown at the Paris motor show in concept form. This is basically what the production model will look like when it hits markets early next year and replaces the Mk6 GTI.

At its heart is a turbocharged 2.0 litre direct-injected petrol engine from the EA888 family that produces 220 PS and 350 Nm of torque (10 PS and 70 Nm more than in the previous GTI) but if you desire more, you can have a factory-installed performance pack which pushes output to 230 PS. Volkswagen refers to the two states of engine tune as Stage 1 and 2 respectively.

Stage 1 allows the Mk7 GTI to get from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and max out at 246 km/h, while the Stage 2 version is one-tenth of a second faster to 100 km/h and tops out at 250 km/h. You can have either a manual or DSG; both have six speeds.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Concept unveiled in Paris

Besides more oomph, the performance pack also gives you 17-inch brakes (16s are standard) with GTI badges on the callipers and a front axle differential lock (VAQ), which reduces understeer by feeding power to the outside wheel when the car tackles a bend. Needless to say, this helps the car corner faster and also improves all-round traction.

There’s a new progressive steering system offered as standard. This is essentially variable-ratio steering – the system’s light and easy at low speeds and when parking, and more responsive and direct when you’re really going for it.

How does it differ from the regular Golf on the outside? Well, apart from the obvious GTI badges here and there, the hot hatch gets twin 80 mm-diameter tailpipes, a roof spoiler, red brake callipers and a honeycomb structure for the air inlet screens, amongst others.

The smoked rear lamps are LED; so are the front fog lamps and the license plate lighting. The signature GTI red stripe sits on the bottom edge of the front grille, extending through the housings of the bi-xenon headlamps, which we think is pretty cool. And how could you miss those lateral aero fins in the lower bumper?

Volkswagen Golf GTI Concept unveiled in Paris

Tyres are 225/45 series; 17-inch wheels are standard but 18s can be specified. A GTI sport chassis means the car sits 15 mm lower than the regular Golf, giving it a fuller stance and doubtless improves performance in the twisties.

Homages to GTIs of the past include a golf ball gear knob (for the manual, obviously), a selection of production colours that have carried on throughout, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, classic GTI ‘Denver,’ ‘Detroit’ and ‘Glendale’ wheels and tartan seat covers.

Finally, the tedious matter of fuel consumption: at an impressive claimed 6.0 litres per 100 km it’s an 18% improvement over the previous-gen Golf GTI. Performance and fuel economy are truly not mutually exclusive any more.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Mario Gomez on Sep 27, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    Yes,the Mk7 Gti comes.
    Bye bye Focus ST

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Pemerhati 1Malaysia on Sep 27, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    super awesome race machine :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ivantai on Sep 27, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    nice interior

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Looks nice but the headlights just looks like the polo!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • RyanL. on Sep 27, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    SICKKKKKKKKKK

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Black Dog on Sep 28, 2012 at 2:03 pm

      We know you’re sick, now go back to your room and cry like a baby!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • racer on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    if only they could make it 4wd as standard like the bigger brother R then that would b the day.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • JeremyNg on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    You cant be serious with that seat design right ??!! it look hideous

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Kain Pulaikat on Sep 28, 2012 at 8:12 am

      Now I know where’s my missing kain pulaikat gone to!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • that’s the GTi signature seat. doesnt look quite nice, but i’ll take it since it’s part of the heritage

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kereta lembu on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Finally breaking away from the typical GTI rims, but you can easily tell its the GTI version which is still true to its tradition. Don’t think we’ll get the 2-door varient though, as usual.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Paul Tan on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:27 pm

      It still looks like an evolution of the GTI rims… like a futuristic version take on them.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Pimp Daddy on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Dear Volkswagen,

    I wish you had done more with the new Golf Design.

    I still don’t know why u couldn’t design it to look any different from the current one…

    Its like Iphone 4 and 4S, whats the freakin point ??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Ali Baba on Sep 28, 2012 at 2:45 am

      Just like Apple, the design is functional, not just for looks.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sgt Scoop on Sep 27, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    It must be an awesome car to drive but tartan seat covers? I guess they would look all right with a can of special brew and a fake Burberry baseball cap.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Can VW engineers be any lazier? At least Honda engineers change the I interior of the Accord lol. Timeless design this is called!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Josh Ling on Sep 28, 2012 at 12:14 am

    The new GTI design is getting more and more subtle these years. while i like the front, the rear is simply wwwaaaayyyy too subtle for my liking. seriously if not for the “GTI” badge, anyone could have mistaken it for a regular no-frills Golf. even the exhaust pipes are not really helping either, although the non-GTI Golf only has one. it’s just too subtle.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • William on Sep 28, 2012 at 2:30 am

    The interior and exterior rear does remind me of Audi A4 while the C pillar looks like recycled from Golf MK IV instead. Disappointed indeed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ali Baba on Sep 28, 2012 at 2:41 am

    The king is back!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • _xXx_ on Sep 28, 2012 at 4:38 am

    Wonder if the manual ver is here. Do a research you will be suprised how shitty this DSG is…esp the 7-spd. But…look at the wheels. They are mirrored – means left is left, right is right.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Again, the eyes are too small

    can’t they remove the line in the headlight completely?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • zebulun on Sep 28, 2012 at 11:21 am

    this golf already so common like a Myvi..it’s all over place

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Let's talk about facts on Sep 28, 2012 at 11:29 am

    @@ wow….the seat look really terrible ^_^

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • oko028 on Sep 28, 2012 at 11:37 am

    This definitely not be best looking Golf….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Fair comment on Sep 28, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    Hey @josh ling, what do you mean by “regular no-frills Golf”? Have you driven one before? Or you are just a keyboard bragger?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hameed Koyakuti on Sep 29, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    Golf Gti….boringggggg…….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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