New Golf GTI Tees Up

It's the one that hot hatch fans have been waiting for! These are the first official pictures of the all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI, which will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Craig Cheetham

07th September 2004

And its introduction means the gloves are now off in the battle to be hot hatch king, as the car will go head-to-head with the forthcoming Ford Focus ST. Both are aimed at keen drivers, with VW desperate to address criticisms that the MkIV GTI was too soft for fans of the coveted original model.

Whereas the previous GTI was merely a trim level with a choice of powerplants, this time round there will initially be only one version. VW has gone all out for visual impact, with a red line around the black honeycomb grille evoking the look of the 1976 MkI. Raised GTI badges, a deep front airdam, red brake calipers, tinted lamp lenses, a roof spoiler and twin exhaust pipes are also featured. The standard wheels are 17-inch alloys, while 18-inch ones will be an option. Three-door and five-door bodystyles will be available.

The performance theme continues inside, with bolstered sports seats unique to the model, complete with the GTI logo embroidered into the head restraints. The cabin is topped off by a leather three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium trim detailing, including an alloy finish to the pedals and gearstick.

And the newcomer is going to be more powerful than any of the previous cars to have carried the GTI moniker. It comes with a 198bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged version of the already lively FSI engine, which will give a 0-60mph sprint time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 146mph. VW claims that turbo lag will be kept to a minimum, and the unit will remain responsive throughout the rev range, with 280Nm of torque being produced between 1,800 and 5,000rpm. It will be the most powerful model in the line-up, until the four-wheel-drive V6 R32 appears in 2006 with at least 250bhp.

The GTI's sporting character will be enhanced by a quicker steering rack and firmer suspension set-up than less performance-oriented Golfs. Two gearboxes will feature - a standard six-speed manual, or VW's quick-changing DSG auto, which will first be available on the five-door and cost ΂£1,500 over the normal car's ΂£19,995 list price.

There's already a waiting list for the new model, which will be on forecourts from January next year, but VW dealers are still taking orders. The firm has even developed a special online microsite at www.newgolfgti.co.uk, where customers can pick the colour, bodystyle and spec. The printed off details can then be handed in with a deposit at a showroom.