New Volkswagen Golf GTI
From £39,850
One of the hottest of hot hatches, the Golf GTI offers speed, superb handling and sharp styling. With its extensive range of features and equipment, the GTI is a compelling automotive package.
Exterior design
Offering you a sporty, elegant appearance. The new Golf 8 GTI comes with a honeycomb design on its radiator grille, LED front fog lights built into the bumper and slim LED matrix headlights, with dynamic indicator signals and fitted with “Dynamic Light Assist” main-beam control light up the road.
To the rear of the new Golf 8 GTI, the roof spoiler, chrome-plated tail pipes and sleek LED tail light clusters complete the look, for an overall sporty exterior.
Interior design
A snappily designed five-seat cabin features stainless steel pedals, decorative trims and hallmark stitching. A treat for both your eyes and back, the Golf GTI comes equipped with premium sport seats as standard, with optional heating function.
When combined with the optional “Discover Pro” radio navigation system, The Golf GTI has a digital cockpit pro as standard, you can check all the most important information simply and intuitively using buttons and sliders. Plus, there’s the option to upgrade to the head-up display to display your speed or navigation instructions without needed to take your eyes off the road.
Performance
With its 2.0 l TSI engine, the Golf 8 GTI compact sports car delivers an impressive 245PS, taking you from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.4 seconds. Plus, to keep you in control, the front differential lock stabilises your Golf GTI if it slips.
The DSG dual clutch gearbox allows a seamless change between gears and aids to reduce fuel consumption. Combined with the Travel Assist feature of this Golf 8, the technology of the GTI can help you to pull away and brake.
What standard features does the Golf GTI come with?
- Driving profile selection
- Rear tinted glass from B-pillar backwards, approx. 65% tinted
- 18" 'Richmond' Alloy wheels
- Illuminated grille and door handles
- IQ.LIGHT/ - LED Matrix headlamps with LED daytime running light, dynamic cornering light and dynamic turn signal
- LED front fog lights. 5-honeycomb design
Fancy something a little quicker?
The Golf GTI Clubsport
If you like your Golf GTIs a little slicker than your average, then the VW Golf GTI Clubsport is the V-Dub for you.
Its 0-62 mph time of just 5.6 seconds makes it the fastest-accelerating production Golf GTI in history. Special features for the new car include a new driving mode developed especially for the demands of the Nürburgring.
The brand new addition to the very top of the GTI packs a serious punch and is now the most powerful model in the latest generation of the GTI, with an output of 221 kW (300 PS).
If you want more information on this brand new addition to the Golf GTI dynasty, check out our blog now about the Golf GTI Clubsport world premiere.
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What’s new?
This latest GTI boasts a striking new interior, as well as a new platform which also underpins the latest Golf. As a result, it’s spacious and practical - as you’d expect a Golf to be - while the exterior looks distinctly different from the outgoing Golf.
It’s had a major revamp in terms of chassis, too, but we’ll get onto that shortly.
What’s under the bonnet?
The GTI uses a tried-and-tested 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which sends 242bhp and 370Nm of torque through a seven-speed automatic gearbox - though a six-speed manual comes as standard.
The sprint from 0-60mph takes six seconds while flat-out it’ll hit 155mph. Despite this brisk performance, Volkswagen says that the GTI will return up to 38.2mpg while emitting 168g/km CO2.
What’s it like to drive?
The driving experience you get from behind the wheel of the GTI is critically important, which is why Volkswagen has tried as hard as it can to bring as sharp a drive as possible. It’s why a locking front differential is fitted as standard - having only been available on Performance and TCR models previously - which in turn makes the GTI exceptionally eager through the bends.
Accelerate hard in first and second gear and the tyres can scrabble for traction - particularly in the wet - but the level of grip on offer is good overall. The ride is firm indeed, but a by-product of this is that body roll is brilliantly well managed.
How does it look?
The latest Golf GTI is a far angrier, sharper thing to look at than the older car was. The razor-thin headlights combine with a full-width light bar at the front to give it a space-age look. It’s a feature which makes the GTI particularly striking at night.
Around the back, the relation to the previous GTI is more noticeable, though the GTI badging has now migrated to the centre of the boot door rather than the side.
What’s it like inside?
Volkswagen has thrown plenty of high-quality materials at the GTI’s interior, while the numerous screens and displays help to increase that space-age feeling you get from the exterior. However, the fundamentals - such as the seating position - are spot on, while there’s plenty of space for those sitting in the back too.
There’s also 374 litres of boot space, though you can extend this by folding down the rear seats.
What’s the spec like?
The main technology offering is centred around a 10-inch display in the centre of the dashboard which features all of the main media and connectivity functions. This is added to by another 10-inch display ahead of the driver and this features pleasantly clear graphics which are easy to read at night.
Some of the major controls - like the rear screen heater - aren’t as logically placed as you’d expect, but these are likely to be issues which would resolve themselves as you get used to the car.
Verdict
This latest Golf GTI moves the game forward but in an unexpected way. It’s certainly harder and more focused than the car it replaces, forsaking some comfort in favour of a more involving drive. To many, that’ll be a worthwhile trade-off for a more exciting mode of transport.
This is one seriously capable hot-hatch, however, and one which will no doubt prove appealing to many.