Last night, ahead of the Geneva Motor Show next month, Volkswagen unveiled the brand new Golf GTI, GTD and GTE all based on the brand new Golf 8 which only recently went on sale, earlier this month. As we reported on Monday, Volkswagen will still be showing off the new cars at Geneva in March, but the new models were unveiled yesterday.

For this article, we’ll be focusing on the Golf GTI, other posts will come out about the new GTD and GTE later in the week.

“The eighth generation of the Golf GTI is now celebrating its debut. Newly designed and developed – fully digitalised and networked.”

Volkswagen

So, what’s new with the Golf 8 GTI?

The Golf, now in its eighth generation has undergone a lot of changes, it’s basically the same dimensions as the outgoing car with the wheelbase being identical but the length, width and height are all under 1-inch larger. The new car is based on the MQB platform, has MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link suspension set up at the back. Like the standard car, the new GTI has the new ‘Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ which allows the driver to control the differential.

On the outside of the car, it still looks very much like a Golf GTI, with twin exhaust tips, red brake callipers and now larger lettering on the back for GTI, underneath the new design VW logo.

Volkswagen, like with the standard Golf has removed any three door variants, only five doors are available now.

Engine

The engine is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder unit as the last generation, albeit with more power this time as there is no longer a Performance version, the entry level version has the increase in power that the Performance version had. So we now have 242bhp as standard now, which is an increase over the 228bhp in the standard car.

The limited-slip differential and upgraded disc brakes are also now included as standard.

Interior

Inside the new Golf GTI Volkswagen has changed a few things, like with the standard Golf the interior has been redesigned with a new steering wheel, large expansive screens which surround the driver and the GTI gets the largest 10-inch screen as standard, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Despite what the official images show, the new GTI does come in a manual still – as standard but like before the DSG option is there if people require it. The tartan seat has been changed a bit, with the current up! GTI and Polo GTI the design is a bit louder, in the new Golf it seems to have been toned down slightly but there are red accent lights in on the dash, in the door pockets and in the centre console too.

Pricing and availability

Volkswagen will be showing off the new GTI, GTD and GTE at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but the order books for the GTI and the GTD will be opening this summer, with deliveries taking place in the Autumn.

Pricing is yet to be revealed, but for context the Mk7 Golf GTI started at £28,710 in the Performance spec.

Source: Volkswagen