We’ve already seen the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 in concept unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. But we have to wait until next March’s Geneva show before the full production model is launched.
The news comes from Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, VW’s board member for product development, who confirmed that the production car will debut in the spring.
However, he added that the GTI will “deliver a stunning drive”, thanks to the car's new torque vectoring system.
The system is different to the XDS differential, which is standard on all Mk7 models, as it doesn’t use the car’s brakes. Instead, it features electronically controlled clutches on each half-shaft, allowing power to be moved between each front wheel without affecting forward motion.
Hackenberg added that the GTi “was made for small, winding English roads.”
He also confirmed that a Polo R model would be introduced at Geneva. The Polo World Rally Car, which will be campaigned in the 2013 WRC, has been developed under Hackenberg, and his team had input into the Polo R, too.
VW has to sell 2,500 examples of the car in order to homologate its WRC challenger, and the road car will feature enhancements designed to make the rally car go faster.
