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UK: VW Golf GT Sport drives in under GTI
Click image to enlarge
The Golf lineup in the UK gets a slight reshuffling as Volkswagen consolidates two models -- the Golf GT and the Golf Sport -- into one, the new Golf GT Sport. The car gets a sporty outward look, with black headlight surrounds, a front end treatment that recalls the R32 and GTI, and a few other niceties like foglights and tinted glass. 17-inch alloys fill the wells and GT Sport badging identifies the car for what it is. Power comes either from the 1.4L TSI , or from a 2.0 TDI. Each engine is available in 140 hp and 170 hp configurations, and buyers can choose between six-speed manual or DSG transmissions. Both three-door and five-door bodies are available, and cars equipped with the stronger 170-horse mills get a pair of chrome exhaust tips out back.
There are more details after the jump in the VW UK press release. This GT Sport sounds like it stakes out the middle ground between the base Golf and the hopped-up GTI in fine fashion. We'd love to get our hands on one of the twin-charged TSI machines to get a driving impression. 170 horses from 1.4 liters sounds like fun to us.
[Source: VW]
PRESS RELEASE:
VOLKWAGEN INTRODUCES NEW GOLF GT SPORT TRIM
Volkswagen is set to replace the existing Golf Sport and GT trim levels with a single all-new model – the Golf GT Sport.
The Golf GT Sport debuts a purposeful new look as well as additional equipment over the models it replaces to deliver greater value. An all-new darkened grille section is intersected by a set of horizontal fins to forge a visual link with the other sporting models in the range – the potent GTI and R32 variants. Inset into the grille is a new 'GT Sport' badge. Framing the new nose are a pair of darkened headlights which visually separate the lenses into four, individual units. They sit above a set of fog lights mounted in the front air dams.
In profile the new GT Sport is distinguished by subtle tints to the rear windows and a set of 17-inch multi-spoke 'ClassiXs' alloy wheels fitted with 225/45 R17 tyres.
At the rear twin chrome exhausts on the 170 PS models are joined by discreet 'GT Sport' badges.
The subtle, sporting look continues inside. A leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake are fitted along with front sports seats, automatic light sensing headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers. This is in addition to Climatic air conditioning, a CD stereo system with eight speakers and electric windows. Six airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) round off the high levels of standard equipment.
The purposeful exterior is backed up by dynamic underpinnings. The innovative 1.4-litre TSI engine which utilises both a supercharger and a turbocharger to generate high power outputs from a modest engine capacity while retaining high levels of economy is available in 140 PS and 170 PS guises. A single 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine is also available in 140 PS and 170 PS outputs. Both petrol and diesel engines are available mated to a choice of six-speed manual or DSG transmissions.
The new Golf GT Sport will be available in both three- and five-door bodystyles when deliveries start later in the summer. It joins the existing S and Match trim levels in the Golf model range. Prices are set to start at £17,422 for the entry-level three-door variant specified with a 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS engine, rising to £21,352 for the five-door model fitted with the 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS engine with DSG transmission.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill Hancock 7:22PM (5/26/2007)
That looks a little better than the GTI imho.
Its not as ricy and still looks mean.
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sfast 10:59PM (5/26/2007)
a 170hp diesel engine in a Golf. Where do I sign up? oh...8000 miles away :(
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BCM 8:36PM (5/26/2007)
It's kind of ironic that the US-spec GTI gets better gas mileage than the Rabbit, so a US GT might not make sense. I agree that it is better looking than either the GTI or Rabbit, though.
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Nathan 11:20PM (5/26/2007)
Had VW offered something like this in the US I probably would be driving one now instead of my Mazda 3. I would be torn between the 1.4 TSI which just sounds like a cool engine and the ultra efficient 2.0 TDI.
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Buckus 5:33AM (5/27/2007)
When will european carmakers offer us yankees the full engine line-up? Just because we want a car's good looks doesn't mean we only want the bigger engines. I would be interested in the 1.4TSI from an engineering and economy standpoint. While most people will say "Oh, it's only 1.4 liters" most manufacturer's advertise HP, not engine size, so they can advertise a 170HP engine, which is more powerful than most entry-level compact cars.
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Don 5:18PM (5/28/2007)
Gee. I wish we could configure OUR Rabbits like that.
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Don 5:19PM (5/28/2007)
And PS--since when does the GTI look remotely "ricy"?
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MikeW 11:02PM (5/30/2007)
Those terrible taillights of the US models are complete rice, totally useless. (don't forget the Jetta)
I would hope that these would be plug & play.
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/2VP%20009%20500-801_lg.jpg
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/OE_VW_A5.asp
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John T 1:52AM (6/24/2007)
I just saw one of these! It was covered up a bit, but the "Golf GT" label was displayed prominently on the back of the car with the "GT" badge on the front. An older man was driving it with a bunch of test equipment in the passenger seat. Here's the interesting part... He was on the I-10 freeway south of Phoenix, AZ heading to town. I assume he was leaving the VW proving grounds in Maricopa, AZ where I live. This may bode well for us Americans looking for a new car in the next year or two. Or it may just be VW testing...
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