Manhart Golf GTI 290: the eighth generation gets a more aggressive look thanks to the German tuner

Whether we are talking about the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTD or GTE, many voices claim that the eighth generation of the German compact has lost the radicalness expected of its sporty variants, in the sense that its aggressive look has been softened. So if we want to unleash the claws the Golf really hides, we should focus on its Golf R variant or the Golf GTI Clubsport.

But the German tuner Manhart believes the new Golf GTI has a lot to offer without having to turn to its more radical variants, which is why they have got to work on the German compact and given it a look that undoubtedly improves on what it offers as standard. The changes are more than evident on Manhart’s Golf GTI 290, but that is not the only thing it has to offer, since its 2.0 TSI engine significantly boosts its performance.

Manhart has made a clear commitment to black on the Golf GTI 290, as can be seen in the images, with a gleaming black bodywork on which a large number of changes have been made. At the front, the bumper is completely new, with a lower section housing a huge air intake with a honeycomb-pattern grille and red details at the ends, the same red that also appears on the front grille and in the bonnet vinyls as a contrast.

On the sides, a red decorative line also makes an appearance, underlining the waistline, while a little lower down we see the new 15-spoke alloy wheels in 19-inch size fitted with 225/35 tyres. At the rear the change is also notable, thanks to the installation of a new, much more elaborate diffuser and a rear spoiler larger than the one fitted as standard.

Inside the Golf GTI 290, Manhart has not made changes aimed at greater sportiness as it has on the exterior; quite the opposite, it has left the interior practically unaltered. But there are changes if you look up at the interior roof, where they have installed a large number of LED lights simulating the night sky in the purest Rolls-Royce style.

Mechanically, the Volkswagen Golf GTI uses the 2.0 TSI four-cylinder inline engine, which delivers 245 CV and 370 Nm of torque as standard. Manhart, however, has carried out a series of updates to the engine control unit, raising the power to 290 CV and the torque to 425 Nm, still paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic gearbox. In addition, to improve its handling it features new suspension springs that lower the ride height by 40 mm.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €