Next-generation VW GTI slated for Paris reveal, hotter GTI-R to pack 270 horsepower
09/22/2008, 2:01 PM
By Drew Johnson
Volkswagen officially unveiled its sixth-generation Golf/Rabbit earlier this year, followed shortly after by the news that two performance versions – the GTI and GTI-R – would be included in the next-generation Golf range. Although details remained scarce on the performance Golf models at the time of the hatch’s unveiling, we now have a few more pieces of the hot-hatch puzzle.
According to Automotive News, VW is preparing the next-generation GTI for an October debut at the Paris Motor Show. Underhood, the GTI will sport a 210 horsepower version of VW venerable 2.0L turbocharged four. Although not world-beating power, the hot-hatch will be able to scoot from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and hit a top speed of nearly 150 mph.
European pricing will start at 26,400, translating into a less-than-useful $38,150 U.S. The current MkV GTI had a starting price in the low $20,000 range, so expect something similar when the new car hits U.S. shores.
Fans waiting for the R32-replacing GTI-R will have to wait slightly longer for their hot-hatch fix. Automotive News says the GTI-R is not scheduled to make its public appearance until November 2009 – likely at the Los Angeles Auto Show. However, the long wait should be worth it as the GTI-R is expected to feature a 270 horsepower powerplant, all-wheel drive and plenty of aero bits. No pricing information has been announced for the GTI-R.
09/22, 2:34 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Can you say “torque steer”?
09/22, 3:13 PM
posted by:
nickkop
have you driven a mkV GTI you asswipe ?
09/22, 3:17 PM
posted by:
nickkop
and can you say all-wheel drive? when is the last time you heard someone complain about torque steer in an R32? and this car will have an even lighter powertrain….
09/22, 3:47 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
A driver shouldn’t be forced into AWD in order to avoid torque steer — along with the penalty of more weight, more upfront cost and higher cost for maintenance. Dumb ass, and then some.
09/22, 3:53 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
and it’s not my fault that you’re too stupid to make enough money to buy a real driver’s car (read: RWD), and therefore have to get defensive about your POS VW boy racer car….
09/22, 4:07 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
More unreliable German crap, yay. Buy American
09/22, 4:26 PM
posted by:
tzu13
Need more oil: …That’s it? No comments about how the Pontiac G3 will blow the doors off of a GTI-R thanks to its superior American engineering and build quality? I’m disappointed.
09/22, 4:32 PM
posted by:
Jon
VW has always had the right product (albeit with shaky reliability), great advertising, and a friendly (for a German product) price. What it also had, however, was a dealer network that never seemed to care much for its customer… and that’s what ended up driving me away from the company.
Oh… and the resale wasn’t that great either.
09/22, 4:37 PM
posted by:
CanGo87
I agree cars made in the country that I am from are always better no metter what.
09/22, 4:54 PM
posted by:
A4
hopefully the GTI-R has a 6-speed manual in the US. otherwise i dont give a **** filled **** about it
and howsmydriving, there is no rear wheel drive car available with the pracicality, speed, fun, and all around package that the GTI offers for its price. There is no torque steer either, go drive one and youll be impressed. The only exciting RWD options anywhere near this price are 2-seater convertibles and then you get up to things like the 1-series. Things like the charger do not count for buyers of a small nimble car, either.
09/22, 6:15 PM
posted by:
cardude
Need oil for gm whats there to buy that is american that is anywhere in this performance range and in this size? Its all hollow plastic boxes ala caliber or aveo garbage. Torque steer? If you can hang on to the steering wheel then get out of the car.
09/22, 6:26 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
The VW already sucks, it makes 210 horspoer. I guess it poes hors 210 per each tank of fuel.
Btw, the current Mazda3 with the standard 156hp engine can do 7.7 seconds and top speed though is limited to 118mph. Not impressed VW.
That and YouTube shows a Mazda3 hatch keeping up just fine with a GTI on a straight race.
09/22, 6:34 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
GM has NOTHING to compete with this car, Need more oil is being a pain like always….besides don’t GM’s burn a lot of oil, that’s why they meed more? That, and there technonogy is 3-10 years old compare to the rest auto industry, Mercedes Benz had 1/2 of it’s cylinders shut off at 65MPH on it’s E Class back in 1997. Hmmm, funny when some one that relay knows about cars can point out a POSS, But hay, I’m just saying…
09/22, 6:36 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Mercedes Benz, Germain… I’m just saying….
09/22, 7:46 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Those 0-60 numbers are underestimated. My MKV GTI stock goes 0-60 in 6.1 sec. So an extra 10 hp should have at least that good of numbers. Too bad it’s gonna be uglier and cost more…
09/22, 7:52 PM
posted by:
RTT10
i have the GTI MK V its great just it needs a little weight distribution but other than that its better.. oh yeah need more oil for GM suck a dick.. u know nothing about cars
09/22, 8:27 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I would just hope the R is not going to be DSG only. Us old guys need to use our hands and feet to keep the circulation going.
09/22, 10:10 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
It swear I’m the only person that thinks this car is hideous.
09/22, 11:22 PM
posted by:
olds307
But can they make a heater hose that won’t rot in less than a year
09/22, 11:52 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
The 3000GT VR4 was a great car that proved AWD was great.
09/23, 1:12 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
The 3000GT was a 2-ton lump of plastic, as was the dodge Stealth. I think we all know what car proved AWD was great.
09/23, 5:29 AM
posted by:
PetrolHeadPete
Audi Quattro coupe. 1980s dominated rally racing.
09/23, 10:50 AM
posted by:
shaver
“GM has NOTHING to compete with this car”
While not as nice a car(interior build quality sucks), the much cheaper Cobalt SS will smoke the present and future GTI in a straight line or on a road course. Its not even close. And it is much more tunable. If I only had $23,000 grand to spend on a car my priorities would be performance and seats, thats it nothing else matters.
09/23, 3:12 PM
posted by:
Kell
Agreed. The Cobalt SS was not competitive until this year. Now it’s a 260HP 2.0L DI turbo that actually handles well, even on the ‘Ring. 0-50 in 5.8 sec and the quarter in 14 flat at 103.6.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=125288
09/23, 3:13 PM
posted by:
Kell
typo, 0-60
03/05, 2:55 PM
posted by:
AarOOOOn
@ 02WRXPSM- Although I am guessing you are talking about Subaru, I think Audi is the correct answer. Quattro- the unfair advantage.