Everything you need to know about the Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen’s Golf GTI is a household name. As one of the most popular hot hatches for many decades, the GTI has a whole legion of fans across the globe who naturally gravitate towards it thanks to a great combination of everyday usability and inspiring performance.
Now, with the release of the eighth-generation Golf comes the latest GTI model. Promising even more technology than before as well as that crucial all-rounded quality, this latest GTI brings even more innovation than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the key things to know about it.
It’s packing a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine
As with many Volkswagen Group models, the latest GTI utilises a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which, in this car, produces 242bhp and 370Nm of torque. It’s available with either a six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
A locking front differential means pin-sharp cornering
When it came to the previous generation GTI, a locking front differential was reserved for only the very tip-top models. However with this latest version it’s fitted as standard, rather than being allocated to just Performance and TCR models as before.
The differential makes a night-and-day difference to cornering ability, helping with traction for front-wheel-drive cars when cornering.
‘Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ brings the best performance possible
Volkswagen has included a new ‘Vehicle Dynamics Manager’ system on its latest GTI, which is a cutting-edge piece of tech which can help get the very best out of all of the various components in the car.
It manages the electrical connections to all manner of mechanical components, such as the differentials and optional adaptive suspension.
It can actively monitor speed and throttle inputs, adjusting the car’s settings as it goes along in order to provide the very best performance.
It features progressive steering as standard
As opposed to a conventional steering system, progresive steering changes the ratio depending on what the driver is doing. So while a standard car’s fixed ratio means that the ‘weight’ of the steering stays the same, the Golf’s can be made lighter for driving at slower speeds, but weightier and more direct when travelling in a sporty fashion.
Volkswagen has said that it has also tweaked the algorithms for the steering to improve its performance, too.
It has looks to match the performance
Though the latest Golf has already carved out a noticeable new look, the GTI takes that one stage further with arguably one of the sleekest designs we’ve seen on a Volkswagen performance model.
It brings an illuminated front grille as well as 19-inch alloy wheels, hexagonal fog lights and all manner of spoilers and wings.
A fully digital interior
Much like the regular Golf, the new GTI features a cabin which is dominated by screens and displays. It means that the interior feels substantially more modern than the outgoing GTI, with the large central screen and digital display giving it a cutting-edge feel.
But don’t worry, some classic nods to the GTI’s heritage remain; the most noticeable is the extensive use of the classic tartan upholstery.
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