Volkswagen launches Golf GTI in Europe
March 24, 2009 by George Skentzos
After making its first public debut in concept form at the Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen has officially unveiled the production version of its new generation Golf MkVI GTI flagship.
Building upon the dynamics and driver involvement which defined the spirit of its predecessors, the new model is faster, sharper and more powerful than any standard GTI before it.
At its core is an advanced new 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 154kW and peak torque of 279Nm from just 1700rpm, linked to either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox.
This allows the new Golf GTI to sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds while returning impressive fuel economy of 6.1 litres per 100km and emissions of only 170 g/km of CO2.
Despite its slightly higher output compared to its predecessor, the new GTI is assured maximum traction with the addition of a new XDS electronically controlled differential as standard.
This is coupled with new springs and dampers unique to the GTI that also lowers the ride height by 22mm at the front and 15mm at the rear, as well as strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension joined by new anti-roll bars to provide sharper responses.
Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control system (ACC) is also offered for the first time on the GTI, incorporating pneumatically controlled damper units which allow the driver to choose from normal, comfort or sport modes.
As with previous generations, the flagship GTI variant boasts an aggressive new look, with a new front bumper that integrates a deep honeycomb air inlet flanked by vertical foglights, a rear diffuser and an all-new exhaust system with dual outlets.
A subtle rear wing, smoked rear lenses and red brake callipers surrounded by 17-inch ‘Monza’ alloy wheels tie the look of the exterior together.
Inside the red and black tartan sports seats with red stitching make a return, along with a flat-bottomed GTI multifunction steering wheel and dual-zone electronic climate control.
Its inherited Golf DNA also means the new GTI boasts class-leading levels of safety with ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all as standard.
Despite the R32 no longer forming part of the new generation Golf line-up, the new GTI may not be able to claim the flagship title for much longer with an even more potent GTI-R model rumoured to be in development.
Print it: 
Compared to the FORD FOCUS RS the GOLF GTI is a grandma’s car
Good looking car and unbelieveable fuel consumption figure.Lots of safety features,ACC is available.It will be interesting to see the price tag for Australia.
^^ If you haven’t realised, the GTI is a competitior to the XR5 and not the RS. The RS competes with the R32..
On topic though, this thing is hot! Looks better than the outgoing one, though the interior is still a bit bland and don’t like how VW just ripped the tail lights from the Toureg and stuck them on a Golf….then took a Scirocco front end and stuck it on a Golf. A quick cut and paste job for VW…laaaazzyyyy. But I guess its hard to improve something which is already great.
So nice. so so nice. mmmmm
Well Harley Stone ..who cares about ford focus RS. It will not be released in Australia anyway.
GTI is the one to have (but with a the 133Kw diesel donk).
impressive fuel consumption compared to GTi V., and all with more power…………..nice looking too.
Looks good, shame they brought back those alloys. Should of went for a mesh type.
They also went with the partial panted rocker moulding and rear bumper cover as opposed to the “black matte” approach with current GTI, which is better suited for Australian roads (gravel and rocks). Its actually ironic, since Australian roads are harsh in terms of stone chips and rock/abbrasion scratches. But styling is a huge weapon in capturing sales.
^ Totally agree with you re the alloys, Lukaas. I’ve never really ‘dug’ them, much prefer the Charlston wheel on the Jetta at the top of this page. Aside from that, looks great, which is annoying because I had finally made my mind up that the new 3 MPS coming out in Sept was going to be the next one for me. Now I’m gonna have to test drive this one too! Damn…..
Any idea when it’s planned for release in Oz?
Will place order this week & deposit for my new daily driver
I’m going to commit blog suicide by stating my fondness for the tartan seats. A good alternative to leather. Leather seats can become annoying in some sports cars because you tend to slide around alot when driving around fast corners.
Is the max torque figure of 279Nms correct? when Mk V has 280Nms? 6.1 litres per 100km fuel economy has got to be a typo. A 20% improvement in fuel economy is hard to believe. When other Euro makers struggle to get a 10% improvement in their new models.
Very handsome, no doubt, but why more or less the same output as the previous generation? Although -really-, the car itself is “more or less” the same =p
At any rate, I still think what with the fancy new XDS system, (to showcase the use etc) they could have sneezed on the EA888 engine to produce at least round numbered outputs =p ~155kw/300Nm would have been easy.
Looks ok, but I think the 3 door version will look sportier,the 4 door looks rather plain.Compared to the other turbo hot hatches interms of power and torque,it is again somewhat lacking.
When I took the GTI MKV for a test drive I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about.I was left with a somewhat deflated view of the car after all the hype about being the “best all-rounder.”
I hope the MKVI GTI will change my view.
It’s handsome….. I think they typed it wrong about fuel consumption.. Should be 7.0 liters per 100 Kms
sorry, 7.1 liters per 100kms
VW UK website lists manual as 7.3 L/100, DSG 7.4. Maybe the Aus figures are different? Still pretty impressive.
VW really are leading the way with engine and drivetrain technology. Excellent fuel consumption for a turbo charged engine in a car weighing around 1400kg.
Price should be similar to the MKV GTi, should be great value for money. The tuning packages will be coming out pretty quick for this car I would suspect.
V. nice. I’ll have mine in United Grey with leather, DSG and xenons plz.
Re: the wheels, it says 17s are standard but those in the pics look like 18s to me (and they look great; the stance of the rear 3/4 view is sensational).
Not bad.Still looks very similiar to the the MKV.Infact the rear of the MKV looks classier than the MKVI.
Overall the styling looks very generic I can’t understand people describing some aspect of the styling as sensational?
The interior looks very nice and the front is growing on me.
Before I make a decision(to purchase),I have to wait until the new Megane RS comes out with 184KW and 350 NM and not to mention the “smiling” Mazda 3 MPS.
Looooooove the tartan, too. Blog suicide done and dusted.
Lol the Tartan, nah its not for me, leather all teh way. Somehow it looks like it needs side skirts for a bit more aggressive stance. Power figures are a nice impovement and the car looks the deal. But this GTI isnt for me, i’ll be waiting for the GTI-R :)
We’ll wait for the R20T to be replace our MKV GTI, thanks.
Really don’t like those wheels……..love the rest though.
This thing is quick and torquey and more luxurious but I still prefer the Type R Civic.
I think im going to start saving my money for this car. Aim to get it in 2010 once the hype dies down abit.
I love the car, love the wheels, love the tartan seats (forget the leather imo).
Options I want:
Park Assist
Adapative Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Xenons
Sat Nav
Maybe reversing Camera
The options are going to kill me. IS ADAPTIVE CHASSIS CONTROL going to be standard? or another Option?
But I must have this car as a 3 door with DSG, tossing up between Red, Black or White.
The Monza rims are the signature design of the GTI 5 and now 6, so they are there for a model distinguishing reason, and yes they look more like 18″ rather than 17″ on the above GTI. I am still a bit confused about an old man’s golfy tartan pattern on the seat covers, leather with red stitching for me please. Overall I like the progressive/evolutionary front design, interior could be a little bit more adventurous (I’m sure its very practical though) and the rear has more of a sporty emphases.
Can’t wait for the review and comparison between the rumored GTI-R, Evo and STI, could the GTI-R actually outperform the Nipon weapons?
old one looks way better
sorry spelling correction: nippon!
It just looks so…. beige.
“The Monza rims are the signature design of the GTI 5″
Err, not totally correct. The standard 17″ wheels on the AU GTI are Denver and the US 18″ wheels are Hufeisen, commonly known as Huffs. I believe the UK stadard 18s are Monza, not sure what the UK 17s are.
But that’s nitpicking, they all follow the same theme. I like the black inside rim, on the Denvers the silver colour gets filthy quickly, and you need to take the wheels off to clean properly. But that just adds to the joy of GTI ownership :)
I wouldn’t trade to the MKVI GTI either, there’s not quite enough better stuff to warrant the change, and it’s still FWD. I lament the lack of traction on mine a lot.
So for me the upgrade would be the R20T which is, of course, still a rumour. Maybe it will come with the Audi 2.5TSI – that would be something, or even the Audi 3.0 V6 Supercharged engine – now that would be insanely nice, 248kW of power and 439Nm with ZERO LAG. Dreammmmm on, the price would be a killer.
Just saw a GTI Mark V today and I agree with BMW, the old model look more agressive from the front and rear, more sporty.
I like the look of it and am very interested to see what the pricing will be. Great fuel efficiency for the performance that you get. The tartan is passable but would prefer leather. Only question is how much?? It is currently a $3,000 option!!
With regard to the fuel consumption I think you will find it is about 7.4L/100km. The US use a US Gallon which would return a figure of 6.1L/100km but the UK use an Imperial Gallon which returns a figure of 7.4L/100km. The US Gallon is only 80% of the Imperial Gallon used in the UK.
Hope this clears it up for everyone.
The finish and quality of the new GTI is perfect. The front and rear end of the new GTI 09 have that sporty muscle look which is really impressive and the twin exhaust really looks like power im ordering the red one NOW!