Volkswagen was obviously keen to take the wraps off the new Golf GTI as it presented the car to waiting press before 8am at the Paris Motor Show. Three Mark 6 GTIs graced the VW stand – in blue, white and red – and the cars looked fantastic in the flesh.
The press blurb used the word ‘concept’ but it was clear that the GTI is production ready and will come with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. The GTI will pack 210bhp - 10bhp more than the outgoing model - and is capable of 155mph.
The car will go on sale early next year and for the first time the GTI is fitted with the XDS integrated electronic limited-slip differential as a standard feature of the ESP system. It is 22mm lower than the standard Golf and drivers can choose between three damper settings – ‘Sport’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Comfort’.