Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk VII set for Geneva debut

Volkswagen launched the all-new Golf Mk VII to critical acclaim last year, and the anticipation is building for the accompanying GTI variant that will be launched in the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show next month.

In line with modern automotive trends favouring the pursuit of efficiency, the new Golf GTI is equipped with Stop-Start as standard and complies to Euvo VI emission standards that are scheduled to take effect only in 2014. Volkswagen claims that the new GTI is 18% more efficient than its Mk VI predecessor.

Powering the seventh-gen GTI is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot offered in two power ratings – 217hp for the standard model and 227hp for the special GTI Performance variant. Both versions twist out a maximum torque of 350Nm and their performance figures are separated by small margins.

For the standard model, Volkswagen quotes 6.5 seconds for the century sprint and a top speed of 246kph. The Performance variant shaves off 0.1 seconds and adds 4kph of top speed to max out at 250kph flat.

Two six-speed transmissions are available for selection, manual and DSG. With manual transmission, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are identical for the standard and Performance variants, rated at 6.0 l/100km and 139 g/km respectively. With the optional 6-speed DSG, the two variants consume 6.4 and 6.5 l/100km respectively (equivalent to 148 and 150 g/km CO₂).

The new Golf GTI will hit European markets starting May 2013, and advance orders in Germany will commence on 5 March, with prices starting at €28,350.

KON