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Rendered Speculation: Sixth-gen VW GTI
The current VW GTI is garnering lots of praise in the motoring press, but it's never too soon to talk about the next iteration. Based on spy photos of the sixth-generation GTI caught testing in Germany, this rendering shows a promising turn in the hot hatch's design. While the basic shape is familiar enough, the front end shows off design cues lifted straight off the GTI W12 650 concept that VW showed at this year's Wörthersee show. The lower front intake is split into three parts just like the 650-horsepower monster compact on which it's based, and the grille itself is outlined in red, as well. eGMCarTech also tells us the next Golf/Rabbit and its GTI version will feature design cues from the VW up! concepts currently making the rounds of international motor shows. What will be powering the next GTI is not known, but most expect the 200-horsepower 2.0L turbo to carry over. [Source: eGMCarTech]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chris 7:55PM (11/07/2007)
It'd surely have more like 220-230hp to still compete with it's rivals, especially considering the kinds of power than can be extracted from that engine seemingly quite easily. There shouldn't be any handling problems with that kind of power either since Renault make Megane F1s with similar power that still handle better than any current FWD car short of the JDM Civic Type-R or their own (smaller and lighter) Renaultsport Clio.
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naggs 8:01PM (11/07/2007)
yeah 200 just does not cut it at that price range.
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MikeW 8:04PM (11/07/2007)
Exactly. The rabbit now has 168hp, so the GTi should get more power (or another gear in the double clutch transmission)
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why not the LS2/LS7? 8:06PM (11/07/2007)
Looks good. So no chance it'll look anything like that. I'll have to have one of the current VAG bumper-crossing "beard" grilles.
People say it is under powered for the price, but perhaps instead of raising the HP, VW is going to lower the price. VW did say they were going to move down market a bit soon.
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Xcountryflyer 8:10PM (11/07/2007)
Mazda 3 elements in there.
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technicalpatience 10:39PM (11/07/2007)
Can someone tell me why we tend to get the latest gen a couple years after they are intro'd in Europe? I saw the current gen in Switzerland a year and a half before we actually got it stateside.... anyone?
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Xcountryflyer 11:02PM (11/07/2007)
The US never gets the good international cars or we get them late. If VW is struggling so much in the US, you think they would send their newest models here when they come out.
Miksa 2:23AM (11/08/2007)
Price is also one thing why European car makers sell first their cars here. When markets are here "saturated" they can start to bring them to US and sell them with low(er) profit. If you compare European tax free prices to prices in US you can see where they make more profit per car. Weak dollar is also now one big issue.
Louis Duran 10:38PM (11/07/2007)
I hope VW doesn't get caught up in the horsepower war. They already match or beat some of their closest competitors (Civic Si and Mazda 3 (non-Speed version)). It would be nice to see them improve the fuel-mileage through weight reduction and leave the horsepower to the overclockers (errr, chippers). I think the price is about right given the feature content and quality interiors.
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nagmashot 12:55AM (11/08/2007)
The 2.0l TFSI engine is offered in Europe in a range from 200-265hp, in the current GTI the topversion has 230hp (GTI Edition 30), in the Seat Leon Cupra R (cheaper as the GTI) the 2.0l TFSI has 240hp and in the Audi S3 the 2.0l TFSI has 265hp... next step is the Audi TTS which gets a 280-285hp version of the 2.0l TFSI.
Very unlikely that VW does not increase hp at the next GTI.
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nagmashot 1:00AM (11/08/2007)
just checked Autobild (Germany) car magazine, they claim that it is most likely that the next generation GTI gets the 265hp 2.0l TFSI from the curret Audi S3
Dr. Woo 7:54AM (11/08/2007)
I hope it doesn't look like that.
Well, actually, I do. Less tempting to trade in my R32 for a Mk VI when it's released.
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Pete 9:38AM (11/08/2007)
I was between the current GTI and the Mazdaspeed 3. The GTI really needs a redesign. It just doesn't look ballsy enough. Even the completely tricked out R32 still looks weak to me. I really, really wanted DSG, but I just could not get past the design when compared to the tough looks of the Mazdaspeed 3. Engine-wise the Mazda blows away the 2.0T...there is a big difference in acceleration, and the next 3 is going to have an even bigger 2.5L.
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Deisainaa 10:44PM (11/08/2007)
Is this really the next gen? It still looks too much like the current Golf, it's more of a fascia update and slight rounding off of the front lights. I certainly hope it evolves in a new direction (like concept R, Tiguan, or up! style).
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armmat 11:37AM (11/30/2007)
Overpriced, overweight pieces of crap....who in their right mind would pay $29K for a loaded GTI...
Ah....go to VWVortex and see the numerous douches who would.
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