The first Golf GTI, launched 37 years ago, defined a fundamental standard for dynamic performance that was more precise than any other compact car. The affordable Volkswagen also made automotive sportiness more attainable than ever for people.
To date, nearly 1.9 million Golf GTI cars have been produced at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg and sold worldwide. Back in 1976, when the GTI was invented, no one could have predicted such success. 5,000 units were planned, of a car that is the most successful of its type in the world. A phenomenon. Everything was simply right about it – the safe and taut chassis, the agile and fuel-efficient injection engine and the car’s styling that was as unmistakable as it was timeless.
All of this combined with the insignias of a future icon – a red stripe around the radiator grille, a black border around the rear windscreen, a sport steering wheel like in the Scirocco Coupé, a golf ball as a gear shift grip, ergonomically perfect sport seats with a classic tartan design and a name that would never be forgotten: GTI.
The engine of the first Golf GTI produced exactly 81 kW / 110 PS. Now, the seventh generation Golf GTI sends at least 162 kW / 220 PS to the front wheels – which is exactly double the power of the first Golf GTI. In addition, Volkswagen is offering a factory installed power enhanced engine that produces an additional 10 PS (169 kW / 230 PS) – it is on-board the Golf GTI Performance.
The turbocharged engine of the GTI is from the third generation of the EA888 engine series and has a completely newly developed cylinder head. A unique feature in this power class is the water-cooled exhaust gas circulation loop to the turbocharger that is fully integrated in the cylinder head. This type of exhaust gas cooling makes a crucial contribution towards improving fuel consumption at full load in the new Golf GTI. In addition, the 1,984 cc TSI features variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. In addition, the valve lift on the exhaust side is adjustable over two stages. This enables optimal control of the charge exchange process for better performance, fuel economy and low emissions.
The low fuel consumption and emission values of the Golf GTI contrast with the car’s simply dominating driving performance data. The 220 PS Golf GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 246 km/h (DSG: 244 km/h). The 230-PS Performance version completes the sprint in 6.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (DSG: 248 km/h); the top version is therefore 10 km/h faster than the previous model. Based on its handling properties, the new Golf GTI is impressively penetrating into the market segment of high-class and considerably more expensive sports cars more than ever before. This is especially true of the Golf GTI Performance with its front differential lock that was exclusively developed for this version. The Performance Pack itself not only consists of a power boost and the differential lock, it also offers a braking system with larger dimensions and internally-ventilated discs at all four wheels.
Now a new seventh generation GTI is launching. It will arrive at dealers starting in May, and advance sales have begun.
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