Golf GTI

The latest iteration of what is regularly Australia’s top-selling hot hatch, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, has been revealed ahead of a world premiere in Geneva set for next week. The GTI version of Volkswagen’s eighth-generation Golf is billed as “an agile, raw, efficient and high-tech compact sports car for the digital age”, which is “newly designed and engineered, fully digitalised and networked… fit for the modern era”.

With the Mk8 Golf launch approaching, Volkswagen has been spied testing the 2020 Golf GTI – and it appears the engineers in Wolfsburg are worried about the threat posed by the Hyundai i30N. Lurking in the background of our spy snapper's photos is a white i30N, suggesting the Mk8 GTI is being tested alongside Namyang's front-wheel drive giant-killer.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed some initial details for the upcoming Golf GTI TCR, including its scheduled arrival in October. Just 300 units will be headed Down Under, which is the "biggest allocation internationally", according to Volkswagen's local communications boss, Paul Pottinger. Final pricing "will be announced shortly", as will specification. We're told the TCR will be 'fully equipped' and only offered locally as a five-door proposition – a three-door version is offered abroad.

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Original and Golf R Grid have been released this week ahead of their arrival in January next year. Both variants significantly undercut the current entry points to the Golf GTI and Golf R ranges, providing Aussie buyers with a cheaper way into a performance Golf while also offering a simpler package for enthusiasts.