Reincarnation for the icon among the hot hatchbacks

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Reincarnation for the icon among the hot hatchbacks

The new Golf GTI impresses with front-end design and 245hp. At the Geneva brand stand, the company will make it a Golf GTD and GTE.

 

 

 

The Geneva Motor Show kicked off on March 2, but Volkswagen chose to pull the curtain days earlier, showing us the vision of the Golf GTI, GTD and GTE.

As expected, the look of the GTI immediately stands out from the standard model. One of the main highlights is the constantly lit strip above the radiator grille that runs through almost the entire front. In addition, there is a red (gray and blue on GTD and GTE) above this luminous strip, which is probably the most striking detail. This does not mean that the huge honeycomb in the bumper and the optional LED light block with scattered elements do not give the aggression you need, on the contrary. The GTI is the 'new' wheels (which also applies to the other two versions) behind which the red brake calipers are visible.

New LED stops and a modified spoiler stand out from behind. The eye also nails the diffuser with the built-in two exhausts. The iconic red GTI logo is now positioned in the middle of the trunk door, just below the VW logo.

Designers haven't forgotten the interior either, with each GTI fitted as standard with a new 10-inch infotainment system positioned above the center console. The dashboard is digital and one can choose from 30 colors of ambient light. The seats have a specific red seam (blue and gray on GTE and GTD). Aluminum pedals and the new red accent pedal and the GTI logo complete the picture.

Like the previous generation, the new GTI is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine coupled to a 6-speed crank or 7-speed automatic (optional). Its power is 245 hp and its torque is 370 Nm. The front suspension is McPherson, the rear is multi-point. The DCC (Adaptive Chassis Control) system responds to road conditions, taking into account wave rotation, braking and acceleration to change the hardness of the shock absorbers almost instantly.

The GTD version is powered by a 200hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, but the torque is 400Nm. Only a 7-speed DSG transmission is offered here.

The GTE plug-in hybrid relies on a 1.4-liter 150hp turbocharged petrol engine, backed by a 115hp electric motor. The system power is identical to that of the GTI - 245 hp, but with a torque like the GTD (400 Nm). The company claims that the GTE can only travel up to 60 km on electricity. The transmission here is just a 6-speed DSG.