Volkswagen is working on a number of upgrades that
will make performance variants of the eighth-generation Golf the best ever.
German publication Autobild reports that new Golf
GTI and Golf R models will launch for the 2019 model year and that the GTI will
benefit from a significant bump in power. In fact, it is reported that the
entry-level 2.0-liter turbo’d four of the GTI will get an additional 40 hp,
bringing its total up to 250 hp, right in line with the 252 hp Ford Focus ST.
As for the new VW Golf R, it will closely target the
Ford Focus RS with an additional 45 hp ensuring it is even quicker than the
reigning king of the hot hatch market.
Alongside the horsepower gains, it is suggested that the Golf R will
shed between 35 and 70 kg and should have a much more aerodynamic body.
Looking beyond these performance models, the entire
Golf range will receive an overhauled interior dominated by a fully-digital
gauge cluster and a large central infotainment screen, not dissimilar to what
you find on the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
