If he has built up a good reputation within the first two (or even three) generations, The Golf GTI subsequently vegetated between two worlds ; powerful but not overly so, sporty but not overly so. Criticism to which the 6th and 7th generation responded with brighter Performance variants. In 2020, Volkswagen has made things even better The GTI 8e has the same power as the previous Performance. The Golf GTI is truly back! This eighth and final generation is actually very close to the previous one. In terms of style, obviously, with the classic characteristics of the model: red edging on the radiator grille, checkered upholstery, etc. She also takes some 2.0 l TSI engine with a capacity of 245 hp mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission or manual in some markets.

Restyled Golf GTI is starting to show itself

But that’s not all. Volkswagen has expanded the boundaries of this eighth opus by creating two even more powerful versions! Thus, the GTI Clubsport develops 300 horsepower, while the even more radical R version produces 333 horsepower. ! This is one of the last GTI bombs on the market, with the Ford Focus ST, Mégane RS and Peugeot 308 GTi all gone, and the Toyota GR Corolla and Hyundai i30N not being sold here…

Finally, due to the very strict CO2 regulations in France, it is no longer sold with a manual gearbox due to its selling price, which is already burdened with increasingly aggressive environmental penalties! Nevertheless, although it is limited to an automatic transmission, it will undergo a mid-career restyling very soon. This one is starting to rear its head: Volkswagen presented a slightly camouflaged version of the new GTI at the CES exhibition in Las Vegas.

Goodbye manual transmission

Like the “regular” Golf, it will not mark a stylistic break with the current one: its appearance will be almost identical, with some shield and light signature retouching, the maximum On the other hand, it will be much more innovative on board, as the first photos show, with completely redesigned dashboard and which now includes a large central touch screen, as on the brand’s latest products. Rumor has it that the new GTI will be more powerful, but will draw the line under one of his favorite organs: the manual transmission! According to our colleagues at Automotive News, Volkswagen will only offer the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission in all markets where it is sold. For reference in France, the current Golf GTI starts at €48,210, the GTI Clubsport at €53,085 and the R at €64,545…

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