Whether you like it or not, it's a reference point. As the pioneer of hot hatches, the VW Golf GTI is the ultimate benchmark for all GTIs. So it makes sense, now that technology is on a roll and manufacturers are introducing beastly hot hatches (like the Honda Civic Type-R), that VW would prepare something... special for the eighth generation Golf.
And what is that special? Three plus one versions of the GTI with staggered horsepower and performance.According to information so far, under the hood of the 8th generation Golf will be the same engine as the 2016 Golf R. The two-cylinder four-cylinder EA888 will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission, or a seven-speed sequential automatic. But the big news isn't here.
The new Golf will have three performance packages, in the GTI version. GTI Classic, will have 265 horses, the GTI Performance 300 and the GTI Club Sport 326. VW has already confirmed that it plans to produce the Golf R400, which will have a horsepower (as its name suggests) 400 horsepower and four-wheel drive. In this case, it is possible that it will borrow the 2.5 TFSI of the Audi RS3, as well as the new 10-speed DSG transmission. In this case, the information wants it to do the first 100 km/h from standstill in about 4 seconds and the final electronically limited to approximately 280 chaos..
There is no comparison with the current generation, which produces 210 hp and does 0-100 in 6.3 seconds. But there is a competition issue. When the Civic Type R comes with 306 horses and 270 ha top speed, or when the Focus RS comes with 345 horses, overboost mode and drift mode, VW is behind the competition at the drop of a hat.
so what will he do to hit him? Apparently, we hear from Germany, the new Golf, which will be preceded by a facelifted version of the current generation in 2016 and launched in 2018 (the GTI is due in 2019), will try to be loaded with technology without being loaded with weight.
In fact, it's expected to be up to 100kg lighter than the current generation, and the Germans are planning a dedicated infotainment interface just for the GTI as well as a plug-in hybrid version, as well as impressive aerodynamic aids. That's all well and good, but still, something's missing. Or should we wait for the surprises VW has in store for us?
