Thursday 2nd October 2008

Paris '08: VW Golf GTI

VW wakes up early to launch the sixth Golf GTI

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The MK6 Golf GTI

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’.

 

[general190]

Nice to see it gets a bit more power, but how much heavyer is it? a few weight saving measures here and there would be good as well, get this lardy vw back at the top of the pile!

Also, the back of it in the pik where its white reminds me of a touareg?

Still love the front, now shares more of a family-ish face with the scirocco.

[nightwalker]

Scirocco front and a Toureg rear.. Saying that I prefer it to the outgoing model.

[BUG4LIFE]

I gotta say, I like the more aggressive front end [and the Mk1/2 red lip] of the Mk6 over the Mk5, though I'm hating those heavy rear lights!

[reddragon]

+1 agree it looks better than the previous model, but the back is still a bit of a slab.

And the price...

[Fotofrog]

i like it all over, think the back looks clean cut with an aggressive front end, rumour has it the weight will be less than the outgoing model therefore this could well shoot the GTI back to where it should be (and was with mk1/2 GTI's)

[fastgerman.com]

It always takes me a while to like the new Golf's. I've only just decided the MK4 R32 looks good, however I think the MK6 may take even longer - what's the point when the Scirocco is out and looks so much better?

[will1981]

I like it, will it get a new set of wheels though? But really i'm waiting for the new R model without the V6!

[missing the VR6]

Not really sure on the MK6 and I think the bumper looks like some after market Max Power special! The whole point of the Golf Gti is subtlety, leave the body kits to VXR's.
Surely 210 BHP is a little limited given the competition?

[mrdemon]

210 is limited because the GTI-R with 270Bhp very soon from the same engine.

[Fetchez la vache]

Looks great from the front, bt a bit MPV-ish from the back. Overall looks good I think. On first sight of the last ver I didn;t like it at all, so I giess that's god news for this one.

As has been stated, it would be good to know how many kilos has been put on....

[andyt427]

So whats new ......... looks just as boring as the outgoing model! Needs more power to compete in it's segment too.

[crossle]

Shan't be rushing to trade in my Mk5 GTI by the look of it...

And why have they kept those dreadful Monza wheels?

[NIIKME]

mrdemon said:

210 is limited because the GTI-R with 270Bhp very soon from the same engine.

It will be interesting to see how many people plummet for the R when the 210 unit can no doubt be software upgraded to give you the same performance. Bring back the v6 lump I say! Screw the emmissions.

[Gerwetu]

Nice to see the people in the pictures seem very interested!

[crossle]

Gerwetu said:

Nice to see the people in the pictures seem very interested!

"Nothing to see here. Step away from the vehicles..."

[luckysteve]

Well guy's I'm still gonna buy the scirocco , cos everyone will have the golf, and if I were i reckon the 5-door would be more sellable in the future, but the Scirocco is 'uber-cool' especially in Red

Cheers

[waynepixel]

I think the new M6 GTI look more like a MK4 then a replacement for the Mk5. Not a bad effort but they could have designed some new alloys. Lack of effort, score 7.

[timewatch]

God that looks so different from the last one ????

Another blind effort from VW...



TW>>>

[cowellsj]

does 155mph from 210bhp seem a little optomistic to anyone else?
after all this will probably be a 1300-1500kg car.

[morgrp]

cowellsj said:

does 155mph from 210bhp seem a little optomistic to anyone else?
after all this will probably be a 1300-1500kg car.

I thought that but who knows? - Lets hope VW prove us wrong

Loving the looks - particularly love that blue

Edited by morgrp on Thursday 2nd October 11:50