The Paris Motor Show 2008 marked the world debut of the sixth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI. The sixth generation of the GTI is the most advanced, safest, fastest and most complete iteration yet. Production version of the Golf GTI is set to appear in showrooms in the UK in Spring 2009
Key facts
- The Paris Motor Show marks the world debut of the sixth generation Golf GTI
- The Mk I GTI was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1975 ahead of the first cars arriving in the UK in 1977
- The sixth generation of the GTI is the most advanced, safest, fastest and most complete iteration yet
- Continues to build on the virtues on which the original GTI was based – primarily dynamic ability and style
- Designed by Klaus Bischoff (Director, Brand Design) and Marc Lichte (Director, Exterior Design) and overseen by Walter de Silva (Director, Group Design)
- New styling direction echoes the simplicity of the Mk I GTI with the return of the red surround to the grille element, the horizontal fins between the lights and the small wing and smoked lights at the rear. The GTI concept employs simple, elegant solutions to distinguish the car from the conventional Golf. The Mk V’s popular ‘telephone dial’ style wheels make a return fitted to the GTI concept with gloss black inserts between the milled aluminium spokes
- A subtle pair of matt black side skirts that wrap under the sill is joined by a small diffuser mounted within the rear bumper set into which are twin exhausts. As with the Mk V just two badges are mounted on the bootlid – ‘Volkswagen’ and ‘GTI’
- The similarities continue inside the new GTI concept; tartan upholstery reminiscent of the Mk I is joined by a contemporary flat-bottomed steering wheel finished in black leather with contrasting red stitching and unique dials. Gloss black piano highlights are set into the dashboard and door trims
- Powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI engine developing 210 PS – a 10 PS gain over the Mk V GTI. Despite this gain the engine is not only more efficient, returning 37.6 mpg on the combined cycle, but also cleaner. The new GTI’s CO2 output drops from 189 g/km to 178 g/km
- Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) is offered on the GTI for the first time. With three settings ranging from ‘Comfort’ to ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ the pneumatically controlled dampers strike a balance between everyday usability and dynamics
- Using the conventional Mk VI Golf as a basis, the new GTI adopts the same strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension architecture albeit with specially tuned springs, dampers and anti-roll bars
- The new GTI concept features an electronic limited slip differential (XDS) linked to sophisticated ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) to aid traction
- As with the conventional Golf the GTI concept is fitted with seven airbags
Market information
- Production version of the Golf GTI is set to appear in showrooms in the UK in Spring 2009
- Prices and specifications will be announced closer to launch
