New GTI Net Shock

The secret's out - full details of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI have been caught on the Internet. Official VW website www.newgolfgti.co.uk is offering buyers the opportunity to choose the options on their dream version of the fifth-generation GTI.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

26th August 2004

And while the company is claiming the pricing and specifications listed are only indicative of what customers can expect, it looks pretty comprehensive to us. According to VW, the final specs won't be confirmed until September's Paris Motor Show. However, don't expect them to change much from the figures on the Net - which means the three-door will cost from ΂£19,995, while the five-door will carry a ΂£500 premium.

The website is billed as an online ordering service - buyers still have to visit a dealer to confirm interest in the car. Having selected all the desired options using the online guide, users have to save their order and print it out. This piece of paper, along with the reference number issued at the end of the process, is all customers need to order the vehicle at one of the five local VW dealerships listed on the site.

The latest hot Golf uses a turbo version of VW's 2.0-litre FSI petrol engine producing 198bhp. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, but the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) seen on the Audi TT will be an option.

Although it will be equipped with dual-zone air-conditioning, 17-inch alloys and stability control as standard, plenty of other extras are available. But be careful what you add to your GTI - we managed to get the price up to a heady ΂£25,070 by ticking every option on the list. For the money, our five-door car included the DSG gearbox (΂£1,400) and 18-inch Monza alloy rims (΂£900). Leather seats (΂£1,645) and pearlescent paint (΂£335) boosted the price further, while a front centre armrest (΂£115) and electric folding door mirrors with integral lights (΂£180) completed the list.