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Drive Thru Volkswagen

Drive Thru: Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Mk7 Golf GTI

The evolution of the Golf GTI has entered its seventh stage and it’s almost as if the model has become a victim of its own success. The Mk5 GTI created a tidal wave of hype and the Mk6 followed suit, perhaps to a lesser degree despite sales remaining strong. But this time around it feels like the Mk7 GTI has quietly snuck onto Australian shores without much fanfare.

Not only did the Mk5 GTI reignite Volkswagen, especially in Australia, it reignited the hot hatch segment. Last decade you didn’t have to do too much to make people take notice. That’s not to say the Mk5 wasn’t a great car, it was, but we’re now in a more competitive market where buyers have a firm idea of what to expect from a Golf GTI. The likes of Ford and Renault, in particular know that too and provide very capable alternatives. Has the Mk7 advanced the cause enough for Volkswagen to ensure it still has a hot hatch winner on its hands?

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Going to v-max in the new Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

In this brief video you will see a Mk7 Golf GTI with Performance Pack and DSG going from go to go! For a hot hatch the new GTI pulls pretty strongly to about 200km/h at which point the fuel needle begins to move almost as quickly as the indicated speed.

Of course, we’re showing you this video because you’d never be silly enough to try this yourself. Would you?

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Volkswagen

Mk7 Golf GTI lands in Australia

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Australia has just shared this image of a Mk7 Golf GTI to its Facebook page with the words, “Look at what’s just arrived!”

So we assume you’ll be able to set your eyes on the all-new GTI yourself in the next few weeks. We’re expecting pricing to be around the $40K mark and very much hope we see the “Performance” version offered for sale in Australia.

UPDATE: Thanks to Jim for sending in the pic below, showing a Mk7 Golf GTI on Sydney’s roads.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI “Edition 35”

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

Volkswagen has released new images of this Golf GTI “Edition 35”. As its name suggests, it’s been created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original Mk1 GTI.

Official press text is thin on the ground at the moment, but we can tell you the Edition 35 has an 18kW increase on the regular GTI. That means peak power is up from 155kW to 173kW.

Outside, there’s model specific 18″ “Watkins Glen” alloy wheels, as well as model specific “35” badging. The front spoiler has also been given a slight tweak. Inside, the “35” theme continues with badging on the door sills and honeycomb trimmed seats. Also included is a dimpled gearknob, a feature honouring the Mk1 once more and previously seen on other special edition GTIs.

The Golf GTI Edition 35 will make its public debut at the annual Wörthersee show in early June. We expect more technical details will be revealed then. We don’t expect this model will find its way down under, but we will ask the question to Volkswagen Australia.

UPDATE 11 May: A brief press release from Volkswagen AG has been added below.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo GTI – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Australia has just released pricing and specifications for its newest hot hatch, the Polo GTI. There’s good news, too, as the pre-delivery list pricing comes in under $30K and both 3-door ($27,790) and 5-door ($28,990) versions are available.

Standard equipment includes a 132kW twincharged 1.4 litre engine, a 7-speed DSG transmission, an XDL electronic diff, ESP with Hill Start Assist, six airbags and 17″ alloys. For the first time on a Polo model xenon headlights with LED daytime running light can be added as an option ($1600). Unfortunately, there is no option for a manual transmission at this stage.

The usual GTI colour palette is offered with two flat colours Candy White and Flash Red (pictured). While an extra $500 will get you pretty sparkles in your Shadow Blue, Reflex Silver or Deep Black Pearl Effect colour options.

Performance is both brisk and efficient, with the baby GTI matching its larger Golf GTI cousin by reaching 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. While the 6.1l/100km fuel economy rating is first class for a car in this segment.

Press statements from Volkswagen Australia are available after the break, including a gallery of 24 local images.

UPDATE: Thanks to Corey_R who has left a note in the comments section that all Polo models in Australia can be ordered with a Panoramic Glass Sunroof. This will be a $1700 option and will be available from January 2011 build. There is nothing official from VW Aus just yet, but the information comes from a credible source.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2010: Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Australia drove the new Polo GTI from underneath its red cover at AIMS yesterday to mark its Australian debut. A neat trick that easily got the gong for the most innovative way to remove a cover from a car.

After sitting inside the car and pushing all of its buttons it’s clear the new Polo GTI has taken a big leap forwards in interior refinement and layout compared to the old model. From the outside it definitely looks the part. Although, those 17″ Denver alloy wheels, first seen on the Mk5 Golf GTI back in 2004, do nothing to enhance the sharp lines of the current Volkswagen design language.

Apart from seeing the car in the flesh little other detail was given in regards to specification or pricing for the company’s latest hot hatch. We do know the Polo GTI will be offered in Australia in both 3 and 5 door configurations. We also know the Polo GTI will be powered by a 132kW twincharged 1.4 litre engine. And we also know that as far as transmissions go you’re going to have to settle for a 7-speed DSG as there are no current plans to incorporate a manual gearbox in the Pogo. Put all those numbers things together and Volkswagen reckon the Pogo can reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, the same time as its bigger Golf GTI sibling, no less.

The Australian launch of the Polo GTI is due in a couple of weeks and full details will be confirmed then. When AUSmotive asked one Volkswagen employee for a scoop on the pricing all we were told was “you will not be disappointed.”

After running that comment through the AUSmotive price predictor we guesstimate the 3 door will hit the market at around $28,950 while the 5 door will be $30,450. That pricing might be a little ambitious, perhaps, but we should know for certain by early November.

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Volkswagen

VW Polo GTI spotted in Sydney

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Thanks to AUSmotive reader Brendan for sending in these pics of a new five-door Volkswagen Polo GTI, spotted near Maroubra beach in Sydney. It seems almost certain now that the Pogo will be joining the Golf GTI adidas on the Volkswagen stand at the Australian International Motor Show next month.

The sighting follows news of the basic specification levels and options for the Polo GTI, which have been circulating for a couple of weeks now. Volkswagen dealers are, at this stage, keeping pricing information very close to their chest.

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Volkswagen

All day I dream about Sydney

Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas

The Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas is coming to the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Even better, perhaps, is news that you will be able to buy one as well. The list price for this special edition model is $45,990.

Using the familiar and highly successful GTI as a starting point the adidas version includes dedicated badging and interior seat trim, along with unique 18″ “Serron” alloy wheels. Also thrown in are bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering functionality, rear LED tail lights (previously only seen on the Golf R) and an RCD510 stereo system complemented with Media Device Interface and Bluetooth connectivity.

The adidas will be available in Candy White or Tornado Red only. In Australia they will also be limited to five-door and DSG specification. More details after the break.

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Volkswagen

Australian launch of Volkswagen Polo GTI imminent

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen’s mini-me GTI, the Polo GTI, is due for local release prior to the end of 2010. October has always seemed the most likely month for the car to find its way into Aussie showrooms. Perhaps the Polo GTI might even make an appearance at the Australian International Motor Show, which kicks off in Sydney on 15 October.

This scenario now seems all the more likely following the revelation of basic specification levels posted on the VWwatercooled forum earlier today. The information is from a customer who has pre-ordered a new Pogo and is expecting to take delivery in early October.

The information reveals the Polo GTI will be available in three and five door platforms, both come standard with a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Polo GTI is currently not available with a manual gearbox. It will be available in five colours, Candy White, Flash Red, Reflex Silver, Shadow Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

Other standard equipment includes 17″ Denver alloy wheels—wearing 205/45/17 rubber, cruise control, ESP, XDL (Extended electronic Differential Lock), daytime running lights, leather multifunction steering wheel with gearshift paddles and an MP3 compatible stereo system featuring six-stack CD player and aux in plug.

If you fancy ticking a few options boxes, you can choose from touch screen Sat Nav, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, climate control, Alcantara/leatherette seat trim and more. Interestingly, there is no mention of a sunroof option.

Follow the source link below for the full list. Once official details have been released by Volkswagen Australia you’ll be able to read them here at AUSmotive.

[Source: VWwatercooled]

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Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

UPDATE 14 May: A new pic from Wörthersee has been added below. It shows the new Polo GTI wearing 18″ Detroit alloy wheels.

Volkswagen have published a new press release ahead of the European sales launch of its new Polo GTI. There’s nothing really new in there from the info released prior to the Geneva Motor Show. There is some extra eye candy, though, in the form of new photos in Volkswagen’s familiar Tornado Red colour. These complement the Candy White images from the Geneva info quite nicely.

Basic specs of the Polo GTI are listed below, with more detail given after the jump in the official release.

New Polo GTI

  • Engine: 1.4 litre TSI (twincharged)
  • Power/torque: 132kW/250Nm*
  • Transmission: 7-speed DSG
  • Kerb weight: 1194kg*
  • 0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 229km/h
  • Fuel consumption: 5.9l/100km
  • CO2 emissions: 139g/km
  • Wheels: 7×17” Denver alloys, fitted with 215/40 tyres
  • Optional equipment includes: bi-xenon headlights with cornering feature, LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof

*The torque figure is not listed in the information below, but is available in this Technical Data PDF (64kb). Kerb weight has also increased by 10kg over previously released information.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Golf GTI adidas coming to Wörthersee

Golf GTI adidas

Volkswagen will be showing two new special Golf GTI models at the annual Wörthersee Tour in Austria. The first will be known as the Golf GTI adidas and will feature a number of cosmetic tweaks, including unique alloy wheels and adidas styled interior trim.

Also included in its list of standard equipment will be bi-xenon headlights and LED rear tail lights. It’s unlikely that any right hand drive models will be made and a limited run of 4410 will go on sale in Europe later this year. At this stage that’s pretty much all we can tell you. There’s only the one image you see above. Expect more from Wörthersee soon, then.

The next model, the Golf GTI Excessive, has even less info available. There’s no pictures at all. And apart from telling you the car is likely to have a number of modifications, including an extreme body kit I can’t really say much else, except keep an eye out for details. Also expected on the Excessive is uprated suspension, brakes and exhaust.

[via World Car Fans]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo GTI breaks cover ahead of Geneva

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen have released three images of its new Polo GTI ahead of next month’s Geneva Auto Salon. As expected, the latest baby GTI will be powered by a 1.4 litre twincharge engine, which has a supercharger providing low down boost before a turbo chimes in to keep the smile on your dial up to redline.

The headline stats of the TSI powerplant are, peak power of 180PS (132kW) with 184ft/lb (250Nm) of torque. Tipping the scales at a modern day lightweight 1184kg the Polo GTI can accelerate to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. This is achieved, in part, thanks to a 7-speed DSG transmission and and electronic XDS differential, similar to the system found in the Golf GTI.

Aside from all that, the new Polo GTI looks fantastic. There’s been a huge step in interior layout and refinement over the underrated model it replaces and the new exterior styling of the regular Polo has been enahnced by LED daytime lighting and a subtle body kit.

The Polo GTI promises to be one cracker of a hot hatch. A press release from Volkswagen UK is below and when we hear from Volkswagen Australia you’ll be able to read it here.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Australia have confirmed with AUSmotive that the Polo GTI will be on sale locally before the end of 2010. No news on pricing or final specs at this stage.