Bookings for the upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI will commence on May 5, with the price announcement expected later this month. The Golf is one of VW’s most iconic nameplates globally, and it will be brought to India for the first time as a full import, in GTI spec no less. It will be VW’s second GTI-badged model in India; previously, the company had brought the 3-door Polo GTI. Being a full import, the Golf GTI will be expensive, and its ex-showroom price is expected to cross Rs 50 lakh.
- The Golf GTI will pack a 265hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine
- Volkswagen has allotted 250 units in the first batch
- In India, the Golf GTI will rival the Mini Cooper S
Bookings can be made exclusively on Volkswagen India’s website and will be open for a limited period. Deliveries will begin in June from select dealerships across the country.
Volkswagen Golf GTI powertrain and specs
More powerful than the Mini Cooper S
Powering the Golf GTi in India will be a 265hp, 370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. The car also gets an electronically controlled front-axle differential lock. Volkswagen claims a 0-100kph time of 5.9 seconds for the Golf GTI, with top speed being electronically limited to 250kph.
As a performance hot hatchback, the Golf GTI will sit in a space of its own. For reference, the Mini Cooper S is the only model that comes relatively close to the GTI in terms of performance. The Mini Cooper S has a 204hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and is less practical due to its 2-door configuration.
Volkswagen Golf GTI exterior design and colours
Will come in four colour options
Unmistakably a Volkswagen, the latest Golf GTI is a svelte-looking hatchback with the requisite sporty cues, courtesy of the 18-inch alloy wheels, GTI badges and twin exhaust tips. It also gets a unique 5-piece lighting element neatly embossed on the dual-tone front bumper, and the LED daytime running lights protrude out of the headlamps and into the grille.
Volkswagen will offer the Golf GTI in India in four colours: Grenadilla Black Metallic, Oryx White Premium, Moonstone Grey Black and Kings Red Premium.
Volkswagen Golf GTI interior and features
Shares features with the Tiguan R Line
Inside, the Golf GTI will share a lot with the Tiguan R-Line, which was launched recently in India. These include the large 15-inch central touchscreen and the 10.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. The car will also get a GTI-spec steering wheel and sports seats with GTI branding. The iconic tartan seat upholstery seen in the international-spec Golf GTI will be available in the India-spec model, too.
As mentioned, the Golf GTI’s only rival in India will be the Mini Cooper S, priced between Rs 44.90 lakh and Rs 55.90 lakh, ex-showroom. Volkswagen is understood to have imported 250 units of the Golf GTI in the first batch.
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