Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen GTI Roadster shown at Goodwood 2014

Open-top 496bhp Volkswagen GTI Roadster has had an outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Volkswagen has blurred the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds with the unveiling of the GTI Roadster. Originally created for the PlayStation 3 game Gran Turismo 6, the radical concept was brought to life at the famous GTI meet in Worthersee, Germany. Now it's been shown to UK fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Created purely as a design showcase, engineers we able to able to overcome common production model constraints in terms of design. The wheelbase of two-seat open-top roadster is significantly shorter and lower than the production GTI at 2,494mm and 1,090mm respectively.

Classic Golf GTI design cues remain with the honeycomb grille and headlamps but aggressive carbon fibre blades and gaping air intake emphasise the concepts low and wide stance. Viewed in profile and from the rear the design turns into pure fantasy with a huge rear wing, carbon sills and oversized 20-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in a slither of low-profile rubber. Another prominent feature is the floating C-pillars, which also double up as a roll-over protection bar.

Under the skin, a 3.0-litre V6 Biturbo engine developing 496bhp and 560Nm has been fitted. When coupled with the seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, the GTI Roadster is capable of 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds. The top speed is 192mph.

Inside, passengers are cocooned in a dual carbon fibre monocoque and sit low in hip-hugging racing seats. A fire extinguisher has also been fitted to give full race car feel. Carbon fibre and Alcantara trim decorate the interior, while black and red accents give a nod to its GTI heritage. Gran Turismo 6 gamers can download the GTI Roadster for the PlayStation 3 now.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best small hybrids on sale 2025
Best small hybrids - header

Best small hybrids on sale 2025

Do you need good fuel economy, but don’t want a large PHEV? Here’s our list of the best small hybrids on sale in the UK
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Best diesel cars 2025
Best diesel cars - header image

Best diesel cars 2025

Diesel power strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy, and these are the best diesel cars you can buy
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept - front action

Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’

The Volkswagen ID.1 will arrive in 2027 and look to start below £20,000
News
23 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025