Paris 2008: 2009 Volkswagen GTI
by Damon Lavrinc on Oct 2nd 2008 at 3:31AM 
Click either above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen GTI MkVI
We're still sour that the Scirocco isn't making it to our shores, but Volkswagen is throwing us a bone with the restyled 2009 MK VI GTI. The new front end made a successful transition from the low-slung hatch that's beyond our reach, finally eschewing the gaping maw that's afflicted Audi designs of late. Both three- and five-door variants were on hand here at the Paris Motor Show, and overall, we're even more smitten with version six then we were with the outgoing model.
As reported previously, the new GTI is packing a revised 2.0-liter TFSI four putting out 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque through either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox and on to the front wheels through a new electronic limited-slip differential (XDS).
After spending some time inside we were reminded that VW (and Audi) still make some of the best interiors in the biz, with suitably supportive seats, confident switchgear and a small diameter steering wheel that we want to put under our pillow at night.
Check out our previous post for more details and scope the live and press images in the gallery below.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Seminole 3:43AM (10/02/2008)
Awesome redesign
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Torrent 3:46AM (10/02/2008)
grille is a lil bit awkward, but other than that, sweet.
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Cardude 4:28AM (10/02/2008)
To me the 3 door looks okay, but the 5 door is HOT!
VW, can you please reconsider and bring the Scirocco over to the U.S.?
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Torrent 11:41AM (10/02/2008)
I don't know why, but the 5 door always has looked better......
why not the LS2LS7? 4:29AM (10/02/2008)
Why an electronic limited slip diff? I know it needed a limited slip diff, having driven the previous GTI. But what's wrong with a Torsen?
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MikeW 10:13AM (10/02/2008)
Nothing is 'wrong' with a TorSen differential, but at high speeds you want an open differential.
I hope that since it is a new acronym, it is actually hardware.
'EDL'-brake actuated traction control
'XDS'-EGerodisc (or equivalent)
http://www.me.umn.edu/~qhyuan/publication/SAE_2006-01-1963.pdf
last part of page 4, beginning of page 5.
Don't forget summary of 'Haldex' type systems on page 10 (Saab "XWD", etc)
G-Meister 10:57AM (10/02/2008)
I was pretty sure most of VW's Electronic limited slip diffs were brake actuated foolery.
MikeW 12:02PM (10/02/2008)
'Electronic limited slip' is a compound marketing speak
'limited slip' is marketing speak
Everyone is hoping that it is actually hardware not marketing.
GOT 4:48AM (10/02/2008)
I'm just barely starting to like the Golf again. I owned a MK1 (my brother still drives it) and haven't liked any of the Golfs since. Hope VW keeps going the design direction they are.
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black 5:03AM (10/02/2008)
I wonder if the electronic LSD uses the brakes in any way? I want to know how this XDS works.
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dave 5:27AM (10/02/2008)
It's a totally useless system that just brakes the wheel that starts slipping.
If it slips too much the system turns off and it is only used below 40km/h on current VWs/Audis. (80km/h on 4wd vw/audis)
It's just a very basic form of traction control(ontop of normal esp/tc) + marketing BS.
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Chuppa 5:58AM (10/02/2008)
You seem to be extremely well-informed Dave, can you share the source of your statements with us?
dougjp 7:31AM (10/02/2008)
Is it cast in stone that this is the engine for the North American version? If so VW has strangely missed an opportunity to sell cars. There are many versions of the 2.0T already sold in the Audi/VW stable with substantially more torque and better HP too. The competition moved on to much greater power since the MkV came out, and the engine in this one won't get my purchase. I'm no longer interested in taking warranty chances with a chip, its the manufacturer's responsibility to bring forward a car that is competitive.
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Steve 11:11AM (10/02/2008)
This is the base GTi, and so caries on with an engine that people have loved for many years. The upcoming GTi Plus will have a more powerful engine to compete with the other guys, but this sweet revving for is what most people will want to enjoy. Also, the R32 replacement will up the power again, possibly to 350hp.
To Autoblog: Will you please stop whining about the "Audi maw." Its old hash, and I think anyone who cares has moved on. I personally like it.
Atomicbri 8:18AM (10/02/2008)
I think this is a well rounded GTi, I was not so sure about the tail light update, but it has grown on me some, as for the rest of the looks, good job VW! The only thing that bothers me is the fact this is more of a MKV.5 than it is a a truly new car. I can't wait to give it a spin and maybe think about it as a future purchase.
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k.w.a 9:08AM (10/02/2008)
nice Mazda foglights.
The rest of it is pretty nice. I'm not sure why the last generation did so poorly, it seemed pretty nice to me. And its not like the new generation looks that much different
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trojan man 9:40AM (10/02/2008)
Why Why WHY does vw insist on using the dial seatback adjuster still!? Nice of them to throw a subaru sti grille on the old model and call it a new car though. Same asthmatic engine and sloppy manual gearbox does not equal a new sale from me. I hope they figure out how to make a R series before it is instantly outclassed by the rest of the field as usual for the mk vi atleast.
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Buran 2:48PM (10/02/2008)
I love the dial seatback adjuster. No more "this position is too upright but the next one is too low". If you don't like it, nearly every other non-VW/Audi doesn't use it; buy one of those. Personally I think hyperadjustability is a great thing especially for those of us who fall outside the standard range of most test dummies (I'm under 5'5" and fit very well in the GTI).
That's not a Subaru grille -- it's an Audi grille, but VW decided to no longer use the Audi look on VW, and keep Audi visually different, so VW cars are going back to a grille more like the one on the Golf 4.
The engine is a great engine. My GTI is rated 25/30 and can still do 0-60 mph, should I push it, in under seven seconds. That's fantastic for the kind of efficiency the GTI has, and is awesome.
A five-door hatchback with good fuel economy and pep and hyper-adjustable interior that fits nearly anyone with lots of decent standard features (well, I have some that were cut after 2007, to be fair) -- what's not to love?
Mobius_1 9:47AM (10/02/2008)
I'm playing "spot the difference" with the Scirocco and the new Golf GTI, and I'm not doing too well at the moment :P
Awesome new GTI, I'd definitely get one if I was in such a position to buy one
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Razor1973 10:14AM (10/02/2008)
When will this be sold stateside?
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