Filed under: Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
VW planning new Golf GTI and R variant
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Golf VI
In what may be the least shocking news you will read today, Volkswagen will indeed be launching a revised GTI model shortly after its recently revealed sixth-generation Golf (or, Rabbit, as it's known in the U.S.) hits the market. According to Autocar, the next GTI will steer even closer to its original hot hatch mission, with VW reportedly giving the new model a "harder edge" than the current GTI. Underhood, at least in Europe, will be the same 2.0L TFSI engine that powers the base Audi A5, featuring Audi's valvelift technology that helps it offer up 208 hp at 4300 RPM and 258 lb-ft at 1500 RPM. That ought to make for a very spirited, though still relatively frugal ride.
What may be even more interesting news, though, is the replacement for the R32 model. Volkswagen won't be keeping its narrow-angle V6 underhood any longer, instead opting for a high-boost 2.0L with 265 horses and an 'R' moniker. All-wheel drive is also on the menu. Sounds like a bargain Audi TT-S to us, to which we simply say, "yes, please."
Gallery: Volkswagen Golf VI
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Zane 11:34AM (8/07/2008)
No please. Not with that "smacked squarely in the face with a bat" front end.
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Jared 12:12PM (8/07/2008)
I like the front end. It is far better than the current guppy mouth chrome disaster.
geo.stewart 12:36PM (8/07/2008)
yeah, the new one is more Golf than Rabbit.
Better look for the Jetta. worse look for the Golf.
VW just cant seem to get it right. Gen IV Jetta GLI was the optimum Jetta.
Current Rabbit is the best look for the Rabbit.
Scirroco kicks butt.
then they go and screw it up.
Dan 11:36AM (8/07/2008)
I love the two variations to the Golf, but I also love regular fuel. God bless those willing to give up 10 cents a gallon for 30 more HP. I wish I could do it.
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BlackCanary 11:45AM (8/07/2008)
If $.10 per gallon x 12 gallons or $1.20 per fill up is too much for your budget than I dont think you are in any position to be looking at any new car. Even if you fill up a crazy 100 times a year you would still only pay $120 more a year for the premium.
15000 miles at 4.00 a gallon @ 25mpg = $2,400
15000 miles at 4.10 a gallon @ 25mpg = $2,460
That $60 is going to hurt. A K&N airfilter costs almost as much and only gives 5hp.
John 11:47AM (8/07/2008)
It costs me $45 to fill up the wife's car with regular, and $48 to fill up my car with premium. I don't sweat the $3.
B-NOIT 11:49AM (8/07/2008)
Ditto.
Just bought an '09 Rabbit (in Canada) with the new Sport Package (includes bi-xenon GTI headlights, GTI wheels and rims, GTI suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter), and look at that, looks like I drive a GTI but only pay for regular, and I'm only short 30 horses.
yh 11:52AM (8/07/2008)
If you can't spend an extra 20c a gallon for premium (or heck, an extra 30c for 93...) then please stick with your kia econobox while the rest of us get back to enjoying our daily drives.
Zane 11:53AM (8/07/2008)
I'm forced to put 93 in my 1st gen Miata to avoid engine knock. That said, it's just a matter of 20¢ x 10 gals = ~2 which is negligible when compared to cost of prodigious amounts of gas that my G35 drinks.
nataku83 2:32PM (8/07/2008)
@zane I have the same problem with my '90 Miata (192k). I wonder if its just because its a relatively high performance engine that somehow lasts long enough to build up huge carbon deposits?
John Johnson 11:46AM (8/07/2008)
No more R32? Where's my R36? VW?
:( You make me has a sad.
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2007RC46SP2 11:55AM (8/07/2008)
gonna miss the sound of the VR6:(
how about a 265hp 2.0 GTI
and a 320hp R36
John Johnson 11:58AM (8/07/2008)
Frankly, VW would be shooting themselves in the foot. Any tool can get 265HP from the 2.0T - sorry VW, you think you had enough trouble selling the R32 in the states this time? Good luck selling it without the VR6.
Farris 12:01PM (8/07/2008)
No kidding...
".:R20" just doesn't have the same ring to it as ".:R32"
Dan 12:05PM (8/07/2008)
Well John:
It'll probably we wayyyy cheaper than 30k.
It'll have AWD.
It'll be more fun than the current R32. A more turbo ride is appealing to young hot hatch buyers.
I personally think it's gonna sell better.
hoosker_doo 1:50PM (8/07/2008)
I'm confused... are people actually going to miss the R32? The first one was cool, but this latest one was a $35k rip off. Any kid w/ a GTI and a $60 manual boost controller can dust the R32. Who the heck wants to pay $35k for a car that is the exact same quality as its $24k counter part?
I'm glad VW has their head screwed on right this time. I would love to have an AWD GTI.
Braden 2:44PM (8/07/2008)
Hoosker Doo said:
"I'm confused... are people actually going to miss the R32? The first one was cool, but this latest one was a $35k rip off. Any kid w/ a GTI and a $60 manual boost controller can dust the R32. Who the heck wants to pay $35k for a car that is the exact same quality as its $24k counter part?"
It wasn't $35k if you could wait. I got mine for $30,330 without Navi, which is actually below dealer invoice. (Granted, there was a dealer incentive for using their financing, but at 2.9% I'd be stupid not to.)
I'll agree that there's something missing from the current .:R as far as "differentiation" goes - the MkIV .:R had nice little touches that made it better than the GTI, and here the interior is almost identical. (Gauges are different, thank $deity because I hate the colors on the GTI version.)
And yeah, an MkV GTI can beat an R32 after you bump the boost, but only in a straight line. The R handles much nicer than the GTI due to the different suspension, and it's NOT CHEAP to add AWD to a GTI. If I didn't live in a snowy area (NE Ohio) I would've just gone with the GTI, but I like having 4 driven wheels when needed. ;)
Plus, the VR6 exhaust note is the closest thing you can get to AURAL sex without going to the Porsche flat 6 (or a Ferrari 12 or Aston 10). Although I'll grant high marks to Nissan's VQ as tuned on the 350Z and Infiniti FX and G35, sounds very nice there especially under hard throttle.
Level 5 11:54AM (8/07/2008)
Win, but only if they give us a manual in addition to the DSG.
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MikeofLA 12:56PM (8/07/2008)
YES! I don't care if DSG is fast... I want to Row My Own Gears! I love the R32, but i would buy a used '05 before i got a new '08 even though they almost cost the same.
Long Live The Third Pedal!
archknight 11:54AM (8/07/2008)
Does this "harder edge" model mean the new GTI will be closer to the Scirocco, a beefed up Golf, or a combination of the two? Either way, if it's still a tall wagon-ish hatchback, most won't care and they'll retain those buyers they already have. The engine change up sounds good, but will the GTI-R still carry that ridiculous price tag that the outgoing model had? Seriously everyone I have ever known to own one of this things tells me not to buy one they are nothing but trouble. The Scirocco is the only car they have that I'm remotely interested in, since we aren't getting it stateside who cares about the rest of their lineup.
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