- Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2014
At the Volkswagen company, the letters "GTI" have stood for superior dynamic performance for over three decades now. In the tradition of previous models by the same name, Volkswagen has introduced the latest version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. For the first time, the legendary compact sports car is available at two power levels: the standard 220 PS or the GTI Performance with 230 PS and front axle differential lock.
The new GTI is powered by a turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine (TSI) with 162 kW / 220 PS. For the first time in the history of the sports car icon, a special GTI Performance will be offered. In this version, the engine's maximum power is boosted to 169 kW / 230 PS. Both GTI versions develop a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The standard GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 246 km/h. The GTI Performance reaches a top speed of 250 km/h and just 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h.
Both GTI versions are equipped with a Stop-Start system, they fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014 and - with a 6-speed gearbox - they attain the same low DIN fuel consumption value of 6.0 l/100 km (CO2: 139 g/km). This means that the Golf GTI offers an 18 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model. With the optional 6-speed DSG, the two GTI cars consume 6.4 and 6.5 l/100 respectively (equivalent to 148 and 150 g/km CO2).
Exterior - dimensions and design
When discussion of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI turns to its design, the car's technical layout needs to be discussed first. That is because the new VW Golf GTI is based on the new modular transverse matrix (MQB). The technocratic impression that this term - "modular", "transverse matrix" - leaves, hardly speaks to the great potential associated with the MQB. This acronym signifies a completely new design layout of the Golf (and of many other Volkswagen Group models). And this new layout is perceived as a very welcome present by Group designers, because they can now implement entirely new vehicle proportions. The seventh generation Golf GTI is a superb example of this.
More dynamic proportions
Compared to the previous model, the wheelbase was extended 53 mm to 2,631 mm, but at the same time the front overhang was shortened 12 mm. In parallel, the A-pillar "wandered" further towards the rear, which makes the bonnet longer and visually shifts the entire vehicle cabin rearwards. This "cab-backward effect" makes the GTI more of a premium class car than a compact class car. In addition, the height of the GTI was reduced 27 mm to 1,442 mm. The car's length grew 55 mm to 4,268 mm now, and the width grew 13 mm to 1,799 mm. Many values that add up to an important result: the proportions of the new Golf GTI made unmistakable gains in dynamics.
Design uses GTI insignia
The designers have systematically exploited this potential of proportions to give the Golf GTI a more impressive stance on the road than ever before. Like the very first Golf GTI, the seventh generation also sports typical GTI insignia. On the new model they include the red trim strip on the radiator grille that now extends into the headlights. Also typically GTI VII are the additional air inlet openings in the front spoiler; a honeycomb structure of the air inlet screens; vertical fog lights; xenon headlights with an unmistakable light signature; the larger rear spoiler; distinctive, large tailpipes of the exhaust system that are arranged far outboard and finally the alloy wheels that were specially designed for the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Certainly, the visual effect of the standard 17-inch alloy wheels ("Brooklyn" type) and their interplay with the GTI sport suspension (with a 15 mm lower ride height) should not be underestimated.
Front end in detail. In the front area with its LED fog lights (optional) that were customised to the GTI, there is another strong and significant GTI element that was completely reinterpreted: the red line on the radiator grille. At one time, on the first Golf GTI, it completely surrounded the rectangular radiator grille. On the sixth generation GTI, two red stripes were used which framed the top and bottom of the grille. Now, in the seventh generation, the red stripe terminates the lower edge of the radiator grille, but then it is further extended to the left and right into the housings of the standard bi-xenon headlights. So, the red line runs across the entire width of the front end; as a horizontal element it runs parallel to the bonnet seam and the bumper.
At the very bottom of the bumper, beneath the cross panel painted in body colour, the black air inlet (with its honeycomb structure screen) is now no longer surrounded by another black area, rather by surfaces painted in body colour. In this way, the air inlet makes a stronger impression; simultaneously, the three lateral, high-gloss black aerodynamic fins beneath the headlights also terminate the front end. Another detail fitting in with the precisely contoured styling is the black splitter (lower edge of the front spoiler), which is familiar from motorsport.
Side profile in detail. In a side view, the sportiest Golf can be readily made out by the even longer look of its roof section due to the larger rear spoiler and by the alloy wheels specially designed for the GTI (17-inch standard, 18- and 19-inch optional). Even in side profile, the light contours of the optional LED daytime running lights and the standard LED rear lights stand out.
In addition, the new VW Golf GTI is marked by new dynamic proportions and styling that is more precisely formed than ever. Below the door handles, we have integrated the now clearly visible and very sharp character line. While this line is interrupted by the wheel arches, it is otherwise continuous and is stylistically reflected in the chrome bars of the radiator grille and headlights and at the back in the white lateral bars of the rear light clusters. Set deep down all the way around, this line lowers the visual centre of gravity and gives the car a more solid stance on the road. Another striking element is the new line along the side shoulder directly below the windows. This line begins at the front in the headlight, and then glides under the wing mirror, which is positioned right on the line, all the way through to the rear side window, underscoring the premium proportions of the Golf GTI.
Just as characteristic of the car's side profile is the unmistakable C-pillar, whose design also references the GTI I, and especially the Golf GTI IV, which itself developed into an icon with its clean shapes. On the previous Golf, the character line still cut through the C-pillar. This is no longer the case on the new GTI. The C-pillar runs along one homogenous surface from the start of the roof all the way to the rear wheel arch. Above the wheel arch, however, it picks up more strongly the entire width of the car - and as a result, when viewed from behind or diagonally from the rear, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI looks more solid and powerful.
For the first time, the sporty Volkswagen also has, in addition to the GTI badges at the front and rear, red plates on the front wings at the height of the character line with the same typographic interpretation of the GTI logo that has been used for decades.
Rear section in detail. Another example of the harmonious integration of GTI specific elements is the new roof spoiler design, which is considerably larger than its counterpart on Golf versions with less powerful engines; it is integrated to be flush to the boot lid and the body. The spoiler, painted in body colour, seamlessly transitions into black aerodynamic elements on the sides of the boot lid, which makes a visual reference to the use of black colour in the first generation Golf GTI. Another feature that is designed in black, along with the aerodynamic elements and the front splitter, is the diffuser at the rear. To the left and right of the diffuser are the chrome tailpipes of the exhaust system.
Interior - ergonomics and configuration
Possibly one of the most important properties of the new Golf GTI - related to the interior - is the fact that the car simply fits - as though cast to be ergonomic. The driver simply opens the door, sits down on the standard sport seat, adjusts it, adjusts the height and length of the sport steering wheel, buckles up, starts the engine, puts the hand on the gear shift lever in golf ball design (for a manual gearbox) and drives off.
Ergonomics benefit from MQB
Significantly more room and even better ergonomics define the GTI driver's area. Taller drivers in particular will welcome the seat position that has been shifted back by 20 mm; the steering wheel's adjustment range has also been modified. Pedal distances have been optimised as well thanks to the modular transverse matrix; the space between the brake and accelerator pedals, for example, has increased by 16 mm. Another ergonomic improvement: compared to the previous model, Volkswagen has raised the position of the gearbox controls by 20 mm; the gear shift grip now rests better in the driver's hand.
Configuration in legendary GTI style
The typical GTI insignia are important in the interior as well. Consider the seat covers: the first GTI already had seat covers in the legendary tartan pattern. The fabric of the Golf GTI VI known as "Jacky" was - as in the transition to every new GTI generation - redesigned and is now named "Clark." Naturally, the tartan pattern was retained. The top sport seats offer exceptionally good ergonomic properties. In addition, the front seats have height adjustment and a manually adjustable lumbar support. Red decorative seams provide a sporty contrast; the black roofliner that is always part of the GTI emphasises the sporty layout of the interior.
It is also quite clear that the standard leather multifunction sport steering wheel in GTI design with red contrasting seams was upgraded, as was the gear shift gaiter. It matches the red ring in the lens top of the leather gear shift grip. Accents on the dashboard are in "Checkered Black" and the same applies to the decorative inlays in the door trim panels and on the centre console. Also making a strong statement is the GTI instrument cluster with a colour display and independent instrument graphics. It is no coincidence that they are reminiscent of high-end chronometers. When the engine is started, the pointers of the tachometer and speedometer swing once to the end scale position and then back. The GTI specific look of the interior is rounded out by red ambience lighting, special trim strips and panels (trim strips in the front doors with ambience lighting), brushed stainless steel pedals and foot rest (on left), door sill entry plates in front with a stainless steel application and ambience lighting that is also integrated here.
Quality and image overcome class boundaries. It is the entirely new fundamental concept for the interior design of the seventh generation Golf that represents a breakthrough for the GTI's sporty and high-end interior architecture: especially noticeable is the wide centre console that is oriented towards the driver; it is more characteristic of the premium class than the compact class. In the middle of the centre console, beneath the switch for the hazard warning lights, is the five- to eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with its menu keys and dials. For the first time, Volkswagen is using a touchscreen generation here (as an option) that features proximity sensors and functionality that reacts to wiping movements of the fingers (wipe and zoom gestures as with a smartphone).
Located beneath the infotainment module are the well laid-out controls for the standard dual-zone automatic climate control system (Climatronic). This is followed by the lower section of the centre console that runs in a line up to the large centre armrest. To the right of the driver are the buttons for the new electronic parking brake and its Auto Hold function. Next to it, there is a closing storage compartment with integrated multimedia interfaces (AUX-IN, USB and optional Apple); the compartment is large enough to hold a smartphone.
There is a wide storage compartment hidden under the centre armrest that can be adjusted by up to 100 mm in length and five stages in height. This compartment is also of a good size. A new feature here in conjunction with the "Comfort" mobile phone interface is an inductive external antenna interface: The smartphone is placed in a universal holder in the stowage bin where the phone's antenna is inductively "coupled" and connected to the vehicle's external aerial. Sophisticated: the decorative inlays of the GTI trim panels exhibit, as mentioned, a light seam as part of the standard ambience lighting system.
More space over its length. Despite all of its sportiness, the Golf GTI is more than just a sports car; it is an all-round talent. And that describes the seventh generation GTI as well. This would make the Golf GTI a good choice as a business car for any day of the year. Background: larger body dimensions in overall length and width, a larger wheelbase, optimised track widths and MQB-modified package all have a positive effect on comfort. The GTI interior is now 14 mm longer (1,750 mm), for example. In the rear seating area of the optional four-door Golf GTI, passengers enjoy 15 mm more leg room. In front, shoulder room has increased by 31 mm to 1,420 mm, and elbow room has now gone up by 22 mm to a width of 1,469 mm. In the rear seating area, shoulder room was also improved by an additional 31 mm and elbow width by 20 mm.
In addition, the rear seat bench folds and has a 60:40 split. When folded, a nearly level cargo floor is created with a length of 1,558 mm. From the Comfortline, the Golf can also be equipped with a cargo opening at the middle of the rear backrest. The successfully implemented space concept of the new Golf exhibits many other improvements as well. Cargo capacity, for example, has grown by 30 litres to 380 litres; the variable cargo floor can also be lowered by 100 mm. Perfection in the details: the load sill to the bootspace is now just 655 mm high - the best value in the core segment. In parallel, the maximum bootspace width has grown by 228 mm to 1,272 mm. Volkswagen has also increased the width of the bootspace opening by 47 mm to 1,023 mm.
Powertrain - TSI engines
The Golf GTI VII is powered by an advanced engine of the EA888 series - a two-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with a new cylinder head design. The TSI produces 162 kW / 220 PS (from 4,500 to 6,200 rpm). The sports car icon is optionally available in a performance-enhanced version as the Golf GTI Performance. In this version, the engine produces 169 kW / 230 PS (from 4,700 to 6,200 rpm). Both GTI versions are equipped with a Stop/Start system as standard and, with a 6-speed gearbox, they attain the same low NEDC fuel consumption of 6.0 l/100 km (CO2: 139 g/km). The combined fuel consumption of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI was thereby reduced by 1.3 litres per 100 km, or 18 per cent, compared to the previous model (155 kW / 210 PS). A 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) is available as an option for both power levels. The recognised high agility of the Golf GTI has been increased once again in the new model compared to the previous model. In two stages:
Stage 1 - the standard GTI: The 220 PS base version now outputs 10 PS more than the previous model. At the same time, its maximum torque was increased by a considerable 70 Nm to 350 Nm (from 1,500 to 4,400 rpm). Equipped in this way, the Golf GTI makes its appearance with highly superior flexibility values: in fourth gear, the Golf GTI accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.0 seconds; in fifth gear, it takes 6.0 seconds. Other data that must not be overlooked in a GTI: the new one accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 246 km/h.
Stage 2 - the GTI Performance: Those choosing a Golf GTI with the performance pack ignite the second stage. As mentioned, the car's power is increased by 10 PS here, while its maximum torque is identical. The 230 PS of power enables a top speed of 250 km/h and just 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h. Its maximum torque of 350 Nm is available from 1,500 to 4,600 rpm.
