The new Volkswagen Golf GTI will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show

Alvaro Avilés 17 January 2020 3 min.

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show

Months after getting to know the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf, it’s the turn of the GTI version, which will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show

The eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf was unveiled a few months ago, so we have already seen its more conventional variants. However, all the fans of what is probably the most famous compact in automotive history are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the GTI, GTD, GTE and R versions, the most desirable ones in the range.

Well, we have news on this front: the Volkswagen Golf GTI and GTD will be presented at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, which will take place between March 5 and 15. We also know that the most radical version, the Volkswagen Golf R, will make its debut at Goodwood, that is, in July.

Everything suggests that the Volkswagen Golf GTI will not differ much from its sibling models in terms of styling, something that has always been a principle of the compact from Wolfsburg. Therefore, after seeing a camouflaged prototype driving through South Africa, we can expect a dual exhaust outlet, red brake calipers, more prominent air intakes and oversized skirts on the lower part of the bodywork.

What will be under the hood of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI?

Despite the rumors that the new Volkswagen Golf GTI would adopt hybridization in this generation –we know there will be five electrified versions and one petrol-, this will not be the case, and it will inherit the good qualities the previous one already offered.

Therefore, it seems the heart will be the 2.0 TSI engine, already used in other generations of the sporty version of the model. Following the recipe of the seventh generation, this engine could be offered in two power levels: a standard one of around 240 CV and another of roughly 290 CV, which will be linked to the Performance versions.

Therefore, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h in under six seconds and reach a top speed close to 250 km/h. Of course, the transmission will be selectable, so there will be a six-speed manual for purists and the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

It will be based on a 2.0 version of the MQB platform

The Volkswagen Golf GTI will be based on a more developed variant of the MQB platform. Its suspension layout will feature a McPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear, a configuration associated with adaptive suspension control. Furthermore, special effort has been put into developing precise, direct steering.

Following one of the market trends that the German compact had long resisted, the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf GTI will only be offered as a five-door. Therefore, the three-door bodywork version will cease production.

As for the interior, we have already shown you the cabin of the new Volkswagen Golf, so the changes with the GTI version will not be significant. However, we can expect sporty trim pieces, red topstitching and, of course, sport seats with the iconic tartan that has upholstered the interior of every GTI generation.