Volkswagen Golf GTI mk8 – Ready for the Geneva motor show

The Volkswagen Golf mk8 was revealed just over a month ago, and as with every new Golf comes a GTI. It has however been quiet since the release, but Volkswagen has confirmed that the GTI will be revealed the Geneva motor show. In fact, the GTD, GTE, GTI and R will all be revealed in 2020. This will be a fun year.

In other news, the GTI will not have hybrid power. Instead, an updated version of the already existing 2.0 L engine will be used, and since the mk7 GTI TCR (Volkswagens goodbye to the 7 generation GTI) had 290 hp, as well as the fact that many competitors such as the Hyundai i30 n, Renault Megane RS and Toyota Yaris GR hang around the 275 hp mark, there is no question that the new GTI will have a performance increase for the base model GTI. As many know Volkswagen often release a more hardcore club sport version in the latter stages.

As usual with a performance Golf. The suspension will be upgraded, and there is already information that the GTI will have MacPherson suspension in the front as well as multilink suspension in the rear. The mk7 GTI was THE hot hatch to measure against, but it had one chink in its armor. The steering could be a bit more responsive, which is why the engineers have spent a great deal of effort to dial in the electric steering for the new GTI.

One other important note about the new GTI is the fact that it will only come as a 5 door. Even though a 3 door looks the part, you lose a lot of usability, and in turn you lose what makes a GTI a GTI. Don’t forget that it makes production costs way cheaper since there is no need for new production, engineering, etc.

I am eagerly waiting for the new GTI. Volkswagen has a big job ahead of them since many car manufacturers have stepped up their hot hatch game. However, if it is one model to show what the meaning of a fast and usable small car is, it’s the Golf GTI. Or at least that’s something that we´ll see when the car is revealed at the Geneva motor show.