The new generation Volkswagen Golf GTI is finally available to order in the UK, with the standard six-speed manual from £ 33,460 (US$ 42,580), and the seven-speed DSG which adds a £ 1,500 (US$ 1,910) premium. 

The 2020 Golf GTI brings with it 18-inch ‘Richmond’ alloy wheels, chrome-plated tailpipes, roof spoiler and darkened LED taillights with dynamic turn signals. It also features the tartan upholstery, heated sports steering wheel wrapped in leather, aluminum gearshift knob, black metal chrome accents, keyless entry&go, three-zone climate control and several active and passive safety systems. Power is provided by the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with 245 PS and 370 Nm produced, sending you to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds with the DSG option, and up to 250 km/h.

Volkswagen has also started accepting orders for the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, which starts at £ 35,960 (US$ 45,760). It combines a 150 PS 1.4-liter four-pot with a 110 PS electric motor, for a total of 245 PS and 400 Nm. The electrified hot hatch can sprint to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and will keep pushing up to 225 km/h. It returns a combined 176.6 mpg UK (1.6 l/100 km / 147.1 mpg US), emits 36 g/km of CO2 and has a 13 kWh battery pack, 50 percent larger than its predecessor’s, which gives it a zero-emission range of up to 51 km.


The Golf GTE boasts a subtle exterior makeover, rides on 17-inch ‘Richmond’ wheels and packs the tartan upholstery as well, in addition to a wide selection of equipment, from the three-zone climate control to the heated steering wheel. Besides opening the order books for the Golf GTI and GTE, the regular version of the car has also launched with a new mild-hybrid powertrain. The 1.0-liter eTSI 110 PS is limited to the Life trim level, will get to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, max out at 203 km/h, while returning 54.3 mpg UK (5.2 l/100 km / 45.2 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 118 g/km.

Pricing starts at £ 25,190 (US$ 32,055) and standard equipment includes LED headlights, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, Car2X system, Lane Assist, Front Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Driver Alert System and Adaptive Cruise Control.