The Mk7 Golf GTI concept, to be unveiled in Paris, has been revealed by German publication Auto Bild in a series of five images.
Powered by a 2.0 litre turbo, the newest Golf GTI will boast 220hp (164kW), able to be boosted to 230hp (171kW) thanks to an optional Performance Package. That’s up 9kW and 16kW respectively on the 155kW offered by the Mk6 GTI. Torque increases more significantly, by 70Nm, to a new max of 350Nm.
We already know to expect the Golf VII GTI to shed as much as 100kg from the outgoing model and there’s also a very good chance a proper limited slip diff will be in the offing.
You’ll need around 6.6 seconds to reach 100km/h on the way to a top speed of 246km/h. The Performance Package reduces the 100km/h sprint by 0.1 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.6l/100km.
Visually, the Golf GTI follows the tried and proven path established with the Mk1 and Mk2 models and revived since the Mk5 model. That is, subtle but noticeable styling tweaks over the standard Golf that are enough to make a worthwhile statement.
The extension of the red trim through the front grille into the headlight cluster, featuring LED DRLs and bi-xenons, is a nice touch and helps to make the car appear wider. At the back LED rear lights are also different from the lower rent models.
For some reason Volkswagen still hasn’t killed off the horrible 17″ Denver alloys, but at least they can be cast aside in favour of Detroit, Glendale allays, as well as the new Brooklyn alloys you see here.
It’s standard GTI fare inside, including the familiar tartan trim and red stitching on the bolstered sports style seats. The red stitching extends to the new three-spoke steering wheel and other selected interior features.
While this will be badged a concept model in Paris we’ve seen before from Volkswagen that we can pretty much accept this is what the new GTI will look like. Expect it to go on sale in Europe before the middle of next year and if all goes well our guess is we could see it in Australia by late 2013.
We reckon Volkswagen will pull the trigger on the official info very soon and we’ll be back with all the details as soon as we can.
5 replies on “2013 VW Golf GTI previewed in leaked images”
Looks great. I don’t think I’ll make it to my 3rd GTI, but could easily live with that.
Shame we won’t see the 3 door. Bad VW 🙁
New alloys look great. Three door very good from the rear 3/4
My only criticism of the regular golf 7 is the front bumper, was hoping the GTi would look better, such a shame they didn’t change it enough. The rest looks great.
[…] the new “near-production” seventh-generation Golf GTI. Rather that resummarise the info we brought you yesterday here’s all you need to know about the new Golf VII GTI in dot point […]