While VW
has been showing the world countless concept vehicles from the ID family over
the past years, the company’s bread-and-butter consists of models like the Golf
and the ever-expanding lineup of crossovers and SUVs.
VW may publicly say that the launch of the
ID.3 is the main event this year but, in reality, the rollout of the all-new VW
Golf Mk8 across Europe is what matters the most. And the new Golf family has
just grown bigger with the online unveiling of the hotter Golf GTI, Golf GTD
and Golf GTE variants.
VW insists on showing us the 2021 VW Golf GTI in the same Kings Red
Metallic paint, arguably because it suits the hot hatch best. As always, the
Golf GTI adopts a restrained design compared to other competitors but that’s
just fine for the model’s customer base.
Key exterior details that differentiate it
from the regular Golf include a gaping lower grille that occupies most of the
sporty front bumper and incorporates a honeycomb mesh and optional X-shaped LED
fog lights, a sharper-looking rear bumper with two round exhaust pipes on each
side, a bigger roof spoiler, black side skirts and dedicated alloys.
As with previous Golf GTIs, the ride
height is lower (by 15 mm) compared to the standard Golf, which
combined with the stiffer adaptive suspension should provide improved cornering
abilities and a much more involving driving experience.
Inside, the new VW Golf GTI gains a new
sports steering wheel with touch controls and three silver double spokes, a
classic golf ball shifter knob in combination with the manual transmission and
the signature tartan sports seats. Everything else is just like in the regular
Golf, including the configurable 10.25 digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch
infotainment system.
The only specs VW has released so far
include the 2.0-liter TSI’s power output of 245 PS and peak torque of
370 Nm. The turbo-four unit is mated as standard to a 6-speed
manual gearbox, with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) available as an
option.
