Autoblog

The 2009 Volkwagen Golf GTI has made its official debut today at the 2008 Paris Motor Show today, but it will be a few weeks if not months before anyone, let alone us, gets time behind the wheel to sample this rapid rabbit. Fortunately we've found some video of the new GTI being driven somewhere in the world by people other than us, and it looks like they're having fun doing it. GTI-ophiles will get their choice of three- or five-door models when the car arrives, though both will be powered by the same 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder producing 210 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual or DSG is offered, and new for '09 is an XDS electronic limited-slip differential. Feel free to watch it all in action after the jump, and don't worry, this video has no janky hair-metal soundtrack from the '80s. All you hear is the engine revving and road passing beneath the tires.


[Source: YouTube]

VW is going to make the most of its new GTI, with three models joining what has already been a well received hot hatch. A 'GTD' variant using a 2.0-liter common rail diesel will go into production in April 2009, with 170 horses and nearly 260 lb.-ft. moving through either a six-speed manual or VW's DSG gearbox. The GTD will be sold at an €800 premium over its gasoline brother, and will get to 62 mph about a second slower in return for longer hauls between refills.

After that, toward the end of 2009, comes the GTI 'Plus' that will push the car dangerously close to the Audi S3 and may spell the end of the current R32. A 60 hp bump over the standard GTI takes the Plus up to 270. The fun-to-drive factor should be raised with a seven-speed DSG transmission, and handling mastery will come courtesy of a Haldex all-wheel-drive system.

The capstone: to help everyone get over the current and rather underwhelming R32, the hottest hotness is supposed to come in 2010 in the form of an R42. Swapping the current V6 for a 2.5-liter, turbocharged 5-cylinder that it will share with Audi's TT-RS and RS3, the raunchy R is rumored to get a chest-hair-growing 350 hp. If Auto Motor und Sport are to be believed, it will start rolling out of factories in November of 2009 at an undisclosed price.


[Source: Auto Motor Sport via Motor Authority]

We already saw the first images of the new MK VI Volkswagen GTI and we now have them in all their high-res glory courtesy of VW's German media site. As with the standard version of the Golf and the Scirocco, VW is abandoning the huge Audi-like grille of recent models in favor of something more subdued. The new GTI also harkens back to the original GTI of the late 1970s with its red-bordered grille. Under the hood, the new GTI gets the latest edition of the corporate 2.0L TFSI four cylinder cranking out 210 hp and a reasonably healthy 207 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm. The electronically controlled limited-slip XDS differential will help guide that torque to the wheel with the most grip and hopefully manage torque steer as well. The GTI is expected to hit 62 mph from a standing start in 7.2 seconds with a combined fuel efficiency on the EU cycle of 31.4 mpg. VW will start adding to the GTI's cumulative tally of 1.7 million units sold next spring in Europe and in the U.S. during the summer of 2009, while the regular Golf VI will hit our shores as the new Rabbit in the fall of 2009.


[Source: Volkswagen]

Since the GTI got its groove back with the MkV, fans of the original couple generations rejoiced. We're on the edge of our collective seats waiting for the official release of the MkVI version, and some images have found their way onto the internet tonight. Taking some inspiration from the awesome GTI W12 that attended Wörthersee, the front airdam echoes that car's wide maw. Foglamps are pushed out to the far corners to emphasize width, and out back the tailpipes follow suit. The look is fantastic in the refrigerator white the photo car is wearing; special but understated. Inside, the de rigeur plaid upholstery is in place, and things are spiffed up by metal accents and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Underhood is a 207-hp TFSI engine, and the car comes with an electronic limited-slip differential called XDS and the Scirocco's adaptive chassis. Of course, DSG is available for snapping off quick gearchanges with no fuss. When you've got a good thing, why mess with success? We dig, and it'll be available in Spring, at which point we'll certainly bring you our driving impressions.


[Source: evo via Carscoop]

Every time Porsche re-does its core product – the 911 – we anticipate a staggered roll-out of new derivatives. Now that Porsche has Volkswagen by the reins, we can expect VW to undertake the same as it unveils new versions of its core offering, known here as the Rabbit and elsewhere as the Golf, now out in the open in its sixth iteration. Short of a new R32, enthusiasts are undoubtedly looking forward most to the new GTI. And if the latest reports are any indication, Volkswagen won't be keeping its fans waiting any longer as the MkVI GTI is tipped to be unveiled next week at the Paris show. Of course we'll be on hand to see if that's the case, so stay tuned, sports(car) fans.

[Source: CarScoop]

Click above for high-res gallery of the Golf GTI Pirelli

The Golf GTI Pirelli is back (but only in the UK right now). Celebrating its arrival after a 25-year absence, the Pirelli-themed Volkswagen hatchback features an enhanced version of the 2.0-liter T-FSI powerplant boosted to 230 PS (about 227 hp). Power is sent to the front wheels through a traditional 6-speed manual, or VW's very nice twin-clutch DSG gearbox. The added 30 horses over the stock VW GTI drops the sprint time to 60 down to just 6.8 seconds and raises the hatchback's maximum speed to 152 mph.

Differentiating itself from the standard GTI, the Pirelli version features a front splitter, side skirts, smoked rear lenses and tinted windows. Of course, it also gets 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped in, you guessed it, Pirelli P-Zero tires. The Pirelli theme is carried to the interior with custom yellow-stitched sport seats and tire-tread imprints in all four seating positions. With a few added mechanical upgrades, several exterior enhancements, and a lot of interior branding, the GTI Pirelli package appears to be a slick package. That is, assuming you don't tire of it. (Oh, come on, we just had to say that.)

After checking our archives, we noticed that Volkswagen actually previewed the GTI Pirelli at the Wörthersee show last year, and we're happy to report that the spokes on each wheel are still exaggerated versions of the letter 'P'.

[Source: Volkswagen]

It's easy for a car maker to take one of its econoboxes, shoehorn in a more powerful engine and call it sporty. It's another thing entirely to make it enjoyable to use with minor touches like the 2007 Volkswagen GTI's leather-covered owner's manual stored out of the way on a shelf above the glove box, or the lighted door lock switches, and the little plastic flap that covers the greasy hatch mechanism (right). None of these things alone would get much attention in most car reviews, but add them up and they take a starring role in this one.

If you read John Neff's GTI 2-door review, you know all the statistical stuff about VW's new pocket rocket, but let's run through them anyway so we're all on the same page. The turbocharged 2.0 I4 engine pumps out 200 hp and 207 lbs. ft. of torque in a four-door car that weighs just over 3,100 pounds and does it getting decent mpg. Its modestly handsome good looks aren't easily distinguished from lesser vehicles, a good thing when attempting above-legal speeds on public roads. Not that we would encourage that, of course.

Continue reading Autoblog's review of Volkswagen's five-door GTI after the jump.

Two factory-built GTIs will mark Volkswagen's return to the 24-hours at Nürburgring this week. The cars are modified production vehicles with 300 hp under their hoods. They'll be helping VW usher in the newish R-Line banner, using some of the distinctive parts found on models like the Golf R32 and Passat R36. Volkswagen has been testing the GTIs quite a bit to get them ready for the race, including a 4-hour stint around the Green Hell last month.

The original GTI was launched in 1976, but it wasn't until 20 years later that Volkswagen started using a factory team to test its street technology in the 24-hour enduro. And this year they get to test the 2.0 L TFSI motor and six-speed DSG gearbox, which sounds like it could be a lot of fun around that Behemoth. Piloting the GTIs will be an all-star cast of VW employees, racers and VW-affiliated personalities. Look for Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg (management board), Bernd Ostmann (auto motor und sport editor), Dieter Depping and François Verbist (Volkswagen Dakar racers) in the 101 car. The number 111 GTI will be driven by Polo Cup winners René Rast and Jimmy Johansson, Lupo Cup competitor and Seat Cup champion, Florian Gruber, and also Dieter Depping, who will do double duty during the race driving both cars.

Full, lengthy press release available after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

You can probably guess how much fun reading our mail is here at Autoblog. Tips and comments come flooding in all day and all night. Sometimes the tips are good, sometimes not so much, and sometimes we just can't figure them out. Whether it's a missing link, an incorrect link, or a link to a foreign language site, we sometimes have to pass on what might have been a great post. Of course, there are times when just the graphic is enough to create a post, because it is so compelling. Despite a lack of information, we occasionally decide to run a story with little or no supporting material. As you can probably guess, this is one of those times. We got this tip about an artist's interpretation of a future VW. Whether it's supposed to be a new Polo or Golf is unknown, but it definitely has style to spare and we felt like it was interesting enough to share with all of you. The best guess at a translation of the text is printed after the jump.

Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: Sina Blog]

Click above for 8 high-res images

For those wanting a little ray of sunshine in this seemingly endless winter, Volkswagen has a treat for you. The Fahrenheit GTI should be available right now at your local VW dealership. Limited to only 1,200 copies, this sunny flier might be exactly what you're looking for. If the driving experience doesn't lighten your mood, the bright orange paint certainly will. Besides the "Fahrenheit" badging and individual vehicle number on the three-spoke steering wheel, this special edition gets the European sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, mostly leather heated seats and sunroof, as well as all of those spiffy Fahrenheit orange interior accents and matching stitching on the floor mats, DSG boot, brake handle and steering wheel. DSG only on this one, at a starting price of just $27,665. We saw one of these in Chicago and can honestly say that the color pops, if that's what you're looking for. We might hold out for the R32 ourselves.

[Source: Volkswagen]