New Golf GTI – Australian details released

There’s been sightings of new Golf GTIs around the country for over two months now. There was a pricing leak almost two weeks ago. And, as posted earlier today, the press launch is happening as we speak. Finally, then, the wait is over and Australian details of the new Golf GTI have been officially announced.

Nothing much has changed since Volkswagen AG announced the GTI’s European release in March this year. That means you’ll see a 155kW/280Nm 2.0 TSI four cylinder under the bonnet. There’s also the familiar GTI 6 speed transmission options—manual or DSG. Unlike the previous Mk5 model, Australian buyers will be able to order three or five door configurations from launch.

New for a GTI in Australia is the electronic diff, badged as XDL, which is supposed to offer improved grip and reduce understeer. It may well do both, but only the driving experience will reveal how effectively the diff intervenes with the driver’s instructions. Also seen for the first time in a GTI is the option of an Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) system. This is just a fancy way of saying the car has three electronically controlled suspension settings—normal, comfort and sport.

Put all that together and with a heavy right foot you should be able to sprint to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. With a lighter right foot your target combined fuel consumption figure is an impressive 7.7l/100km (down from 8.2l/100km). CO2 emissions have been similarly improved, falling to 180g/km (down from 198g/km).

From the outside you will notice the revised linear front grille treatment and vertical foglights pushed to the edges of the lower airdam. You’ll also notice darkened rear tailights and the twin exhaust tips, again pushed to the edge of the rear diffuser they are housed in. You’ll also see that the less than attractive 17″ ‘Denver’ alloy wheels (as shown above) are still standard fare for Australian delivered GTIs. But, the pricing is the same as the outgoing model, so if the alloys were the thing that had to give, then perhaps that is a small price to pay. Larger 18″ ‘Detroit’ alloys (shown on the Tornado Red five door after the jump) can be optioned for a reasonable $1200 and this is clearly the course to take if your budget allows.

Something you may not immediately notice is the new GTI has been widened by 27mm, which allows a wider front track. This should aid handling and cornering stability. VW engineers also have you sitting noticeably lower inside the cabin. It may only be a small amount, but it all goes to helping lower the car’s centre of gravity. It also gives the interior a cavernous and spacious feel.

There are five colours in the range—Candy White, Tornado Red, Reflex Silver and Deep Black Pearl Effect carry over from the Mk5, while Carbon Steel metallic is a new addition.

Safety is as assured as it can be, with the Golf being adorned with all the latest gadgets, including ESP and seven airbags (there’s even one for the driver’s knee). The Golf range has been awarded a 5 star crash rating from both the EuroNCAP and ANCAP bodies.

More pics, pricing and Volkswagen’s press release are yours after the break. A spec sheet can be downloaded by following the link below:

• New Golf GTI specifications—October 2009 (56kb PDF)

The New Golf GTI

More than three decades after a small band of engineers started work on the first prototype Golf GTI, the very latest evolution and sixth generation of the original hot hatch has arrived.

The original Golf GTI was planned as a limited series of 5,000 cars. Since then – and five generations of GTI later – more than 1.7 million have been sold worldwide.

The elements of the original GTI remain; sharp dynamics, a responsive four-cylinder engine and driver involvement are at the core of the new GTI. Yet it has evolved – the Golf GTI generation VI is faster and more powerful than any standard GTI before it. However, the day-to-day usability of the GTI has not been forgotten and it is cleaner, safer and more efficient than ever before.

An advanced new 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 155 kW, available linked to either a six-speed manual or 6-speed DSG gearbox, is at the heart of the new GTI. Despite the rise in power output, the new GTI is assured of greater grip in all conditions thanks to Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL). The XDL improves traction and reduces the tendency to understeer. Unique springs and dampers combine with lowered suspension give GTI drivers the on-road experience they expect of the brand. In addition, Volkswagen’s innovative optional Adaptive Chassis Control system, featuring electronically controlled damper units, is offered for the first time on the GTI. This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.

The mechanical changes are joined by subtle cosmetic additions. The basis of the GTI is the chassis structure of the new Golf, onto which is added an aggressive new front bumper.

This features a deep honeycomb airdam framed by vertical foglights which sit below a new grille element adorned by a GTI badge. As with the new Golf, the GTI uses horizontal lines to make the new car appear lower and wider than it really is. In reality, the new GTI is 27 mm wider than the car it replaces. At the rear, a diffuser is located between an all-new exhaust system with separated tailpipes to further lower the stance of the car. A subtle rear wing sits above a pair of smoked rear light lenses and a single “GTI” badge.

As with the entire Golf range, the new GTI features class-leading levels of safety with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all standard. The Golf was awarded a maximum five-star rating by the EuroNCAP crash testing agency along with a maximum five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Summary

• Sixth generation Golf GTI was first unveiled in concept form at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008
• The sixth generation of the original hot hatch evolves the virtues of the first generation GTI with greater power, performance and sharper responses than the car it replaces. By contrast, it is also cleaner and more efficient
• Powering the GTI is an advanced new version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre TSI engine, available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox
• The result is an output of 155 kW delivered between 5,300 and 6,200 rpm, which allows the vehicle to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds
  • Emissions fall from 197 to 180 g/km (DSG: 178) and economy improves from a combined 8.2/100km to 7.7 L/100km (DSG: 7.6 L/100km).
    
  • Maximum torque – 280 Nm between 1,700 and 5,200 rpm – is delivered over an even broader engine speed range allowing greater flexibility and response
• The GTI is equipped with unique springs and dampers with ride height lowered by 22 mm at the front (15 mm rear) compared to the standard Golf
• Adaptive Chassis Control is available as an option on GTI. This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for the conditions
• Exterior styling draws on the new design direction; simple, clean surfaces mix with sharp creases and large honeycomb grille elements. The use of horizontal lines around the front of the vehicle makes the new GTI appear lower and wider than it really is
• Standard equipment highlights on the new GTI include red and black tartan sports seats with red stitching and headrests featuring the “GTI” logo, a flat-bottomed GTI multifunction steering wheel, red brake callipers, 17-inch “Denver” alloy wheels and dual zone automatic climate control
• As with the rest of the Golf range, the new GTI features class-leading levels of safety with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all as standard

New Golf GTI – Australian Manufacturer’s List Pricing*

• 3 Door, 6 speed Manual – $38,990
• 3 Door, 6 speed DSG – $41,490
• 5 Door, 6 speed Manual – $40,490
• 5 Door, 6 speed DSG – $42,990

*Excludes dealer delivery fees and all other on road costs.

Options

• Metallic/Pearl Effect Paint – $700
• Adaptive Chassis Control – $1,500
• Electric Glass Sunroof – $1,900
• Vienna Leather Appointed Upholstery – $3,300
• Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights – $2,000
• Dark tinted rear side and rear window glass – $400
• RNS510 Satellite Navigation system – $2,500
• Dynaudio Excite 300W Premium Audio – $1,300
• Rear View Camera (RVC) – $500
• Media Device Interface (MDI) – $270
• Park Assist with front and rear parking sensors – $1,400
• Electrically adjustable driver’s seat (5 door in combination with leather) – $600
• Detroit 18″ Alloy Wheels (4) – $1,200