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The first performance model from the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf range is officially unveiled. Following the preview of a thinly disguised concept at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI looks almost identical to the concept.
Read ForceGT‘s Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI review here.
The new hot-hatch gets all the usual design cue synonymous with the legendary name plate, like the red accent line on the grille that now extends into the headlights, the honeycomb grille, larger rear roof spoiler, a subtle side sill, rear diffuser and twin exhaust pipes. It runs a set of 17-inch Brooklyn alloy wheels shod in 225/45 tyres.
The new car’s interior sports classic Clark tartan seat fabric for the standard sports seats, a flat bottom steering wheel, black headliner and red ambience lighting.
What sets the Mk7 apart from all its predecessors is, for the first time, an uprated Performance model will be offered above the conventional GTI.
Both variants are powered by an updated version of the Mk6 GTI’s EA888 2.0-litre direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Power is distributed to the front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed DSG gearbox.
In standard the standard Volkswagen Golf GTI, the engine generates 162kW of power (4,500-6,200rpm) and 350Nm of torque (1,500-4,400rpm). 0-100km/h is taken care of in 6.5 seconds (down from 6.9 seconds from the Mk6), while combined average fuel consumption is 6.0L/100km (22 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing model).
The Performance Golf GTI gets an extra 7kW to bring the total output to 169kW (4,700rpm-6,200rpm). Torque remains unchanged at 350Nm but is spread over a slightly wider torque band (1,500-4,600rpm). The result is one-tenth quicker from 0-100km/h, while top speed is around 250km/h.
Besides the extra grunt, the Golf GTI Performance also gets a front axle differential lock for improved traction and larger brakes for improved stopping ability – 340 x 30mm front discs and 310 x 22mm rears, versus the standard GTI’s 312 x 25mm fronts and 300 x 12mm rears.
The other good news is, there is no fuel penalty in terms of fuel consumption for the Performance GTI. Both models are fitted with standard stop-start engine technology and meet Euro 6 emission standards.
The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI will officially go on sale in Australia in the final quarter of 2013, closely followed by the Golf GTD.
