7 key facts about the new VW Golf GTI

The GTI version of the eighth generation of the VW Golf is expected with great interest in the market, and tradition in the development of the model promises evolution - improvements, which, however, are based on the already familiar characteristics of its seventh car. generation.

British magazine Top Gear took stock of their team's meeting with the car, highlighting 7 things we need to know before we decide to get to know the new Golf GTI.

From what has already appeared in the form of vehicle information, we can be confident that this is an extremely successful hot hatch that will make a significant contribution to the further development of this special but very interesting market segment.

Faster when electronics help

Compared to the 7th generation, the new Golf GTI is 4 seconds faster on the VW track at Era-Lesien. The engine is the same, the tires are new, but the big difference is the computer.

When the ESC is in sport mode, it gives the car half a second of a lap compared to turning it off completely. Ferrari has already admitted that the SF90 Stradale supercar is faster with electronics than without.

The steering wheel buttons are awful

Glamorous touch surfaces are no longer a symbol of the “near future,” and companies like Peugeot ditched the concept in the 1990s. But not VW, as they don't appear in the Cupra Leon and Audi S3.

VW retained its vulgar sense of humor

The exterior of the Golf GTI is becoming more aggressive, the technological leap in the development of the car is impressive, but the most popular clichés remain in the interior. From pretty much everything, a golf ball at the top of the gear lever to a new plaid seat pattern. VW designers are winking at the Golf's past in keeping with tradition.

You will love adaptive dampers

However, they are available as an option. The onboard electronics offer you a variety of suspension stiffness options so that the driver can create their own settings and then save them in a custom menu. This will soon be a great trend for all hot hatch model makers.

First comes the DSG version

It's not scary, that's how they work at Porsche. The 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox is the more popular choice among buyers, so this version of the Golf GTI will be the first on the market. Then there will be a version with a 6-speed manual transmission.

VW named its rivals

The main rival of the Golf 8 GTI is the restyled Golf 7 GTI, which is logical, given the capabilities of the so-called 7.5 model. But outside of VW? There's no doubt about it: the Ford Focus ST and Hyundai i30N are the most impressive hot hatches to hit the European market recently.

There will also be faster GTI versions

At the core is the new Golf GTI, followed by the next GTI Performance, and the TCR Limited Edition is to be expected, although the German model's career in this racing category is coming to an end.

These versions should fill the gap between the Golf GTI and the next Golf R.