The New VW Golf GTI is Better in Every Way

Within the past year or two, performance-minded hatchbacks blew up in the U.S. The Fiat 500's American introduction served as a quasi-litmus test for the segment as a whole, and now even GM and Ford have brought their own souped-up subcompacts stateside.

But the progenitor of all this hot hatch hullabaloo in the U.S is the one against which all others are measured: the 1983 VW Rabbit GTI. And ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, today Volkswagen released the vitals on the next generation of its high-performance hatch: the 2014 Golf GTI Mk VII.

The 2014 features an upgraded version of the Audi-engineered EA888 2.0-liter turbo-four engine found in the every VW since 2008, with a welcome bump in power. The new GTI puts out 220 hp, up 20 from the last-gen GTI, and 230 with an optional performance pack. The 258 lb-ft of torque is available at a surprising 1500 rpm and totals an increase of 57 over the last generation. The GTI has never been faster off the line (excluding the one-off W12 and R models) than it is now, dealing with 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds, 0.3 faster than last year's model. It will go on on to hit 153 mph.?In addition to being quicker, the GTI is more efficient, based on European standards it gets an estimated 39.2 combined mpg (though that number will probably be lower with EPA testing). That's a feat achieved in part by shedding nearly 60 pounds.

Styling-wise, the MK VII GTI is almost identical to the new Golf GTD announced last week. The only differences are the GTI's iconic red stripe across the grille, "Clark" tartan-patterned seats, its 17-inch "Brooklyn" alloys, and a GTI-braded "sport" steering wheel, shifter knob, instrument cluster, and other interior accents.

However, it's important to note that the performance figures are for the European version. While the U.S.-bound GTI should be identical in appearance?with even more standard equipment?the two cars may differ slightly in engine power due to fuel differences between the continents. For reference, this year's 2013 GTI is slightly more powerful (7 hp) than its American counterpart. In addition, it's still up in the air if options like the performance pack?including a horsepower boost and a mechanical limited-slip differential?and summer tires, which are standard overseas, will be open to American buyers.

Europeans will get their hands on the 2014 GTI this May, to the tune of 28,350 Euros. We get to wait until next year here in the States. No word on price yet, but one thing is for certain: The new GTI is a step up in every way.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/the-new-vw-golf-gti-is-better-in-every-way-15148477?src=rss

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