Volkswagen Golf GTI

Australian pricing and specification for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI has been confirmed, with the new-generation hot hatch to start from nearly $60,000 once on-road costs are included – eclipsing that threshold once option packs are added.

The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI has been snapped testing in Europe. Don't be fooled by this particular Golf GTI's dowdy-looking front end, behind the clever camouflage is a more aggressive front bar with extra cooling for its more powerful engine. There are wider side sills and the rear is home to a racy-looking diffuser, along with larger exhaust pipes – that are actually exposed, not hidden behind a chrome insert on the bumper – hinting at the GTI's extra performance potential.

Volkswagen USA looks set to drop standard versions of the Golf hatchback when the eighth-generation model goes into production, according to a new report out of North America. Motor 1 says it has "learned some eye-opening news" from a "high-ranking Volkswagen employee", who reportedly told the publication non-performance versions of the compact hatch and wagon won't be available in the next generation, with only the GTI and R hot hatch variants to soldier on.

The production version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR has been unveiled, and it looks identical to the concept car displayed at Worthersee event in May 2018. Under the bonnet the TCR has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 213kW of power to its name, up from 180kW available in the GTI Performance.