Volkswagen 2020 Golf GTI revealed ahead of Geneva launch

KUALA LUMPUR: Leading German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen has revealed the eighth-generation Golf Grand Tourer Injection (GTI) premium hatchback ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The company has claimed that the new Golf is a more ‘true GTI’ than its predecessor. The Golf has been one of the most popular cars from the Wolfsburg-headquartered company globally.

The 2020 Golf GTI is based on the Mk8 Golf. The car closely sticks to the established template for its new-generation model. Similar to the previous generation, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI will be hauled by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission unit or a 7-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG). The car’s European version produces 248PS maximum power and 273Nm peak torque. The seventh-generation Golf GTI, sold in the Malaysian market, is fitted with the same engine. The motor of the Golf’s R trim, however, produces 290PS maximum power and 380Nm peak torque. The engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with all-wheel-drive.

 

The upgraded Golf GTI is underpinned by an improved version of the company’s Modularer Querbaukasten (MQB) platform, with a multilink setup at the back and MacPherson struts in the front. The car is equipped with Volkswagen’s Vehicle Dynamics Manager which controls the electric differential lock and the optional adaptive dampers that improve the balance between driving dynamics and maximum comfort.

The 2020 Golf GTI, in the front, sports the signature red strip on the grille. There's a similar strip on the headlights, just above the LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The grille too has DRLs while the fog lights form an ‘X’ arrangement on each corner. Standard GTI-specific equipment and features include a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, smart key entry, stainless steel pedals, lane keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking.

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI commands a price of RM 247,662. The standard Golf 1.4-liter turbocharged stratified ignition (TSI) R-Line is pegged at RM 174,110. When launched, the 2020 Golf GTI will lock horns with the Renault Captur TCe 120 EDC, Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv-G, and the Kia Optima 2.0 GT.

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