Motor Authority - blog Category: GTI

In Pebble Beach, we saw the 2011 Infiniti M become the first car launched "virtually," thanks to a high-tech projection display system. Today, Volkswagen is the first carmaker to launch a car in the App Store, with the availability of the new Real Racing GTI game.

If you're a fan of VW or iPhone gaming in general, the app is available now, for free. The best part? Users of the app can compete for the chance to win one of six real, fully customized, limited-edition 2010 VW GTIs.

Why launch a car on a phone app? "The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices - most...

In Pebble Beach, we saw the 2011 Infiniti M become the first car launched "virtually," thanks to a high-tech projection display system. Today, Volkswagen is the first carmaker to launch a car in the App Store, with the availability of the new Real Racing GTI game. If you're a fan of VW or iPhone gaming in general, the app is available now, for free. The best part? Users of the app can compete for the chance to win one of six real, fully customized, limited-edition 2010 VW GTIs. Why launch a car on a phone app? "The GTI customer is a tech-savvy consumer who enjoys social networking, playing games and spending time on mobile devices - most often an iPhone. Launching the all-new 2010 GTI via the Real Racing GTI App allows us to connect with this savvy GTI consumer within his or her everyday life in a way that no 30-second spot ever could," explained Tim Ellis, vice president of marketing for VW of America. The way to win yourself a brand-new custom GTI is to play, play, play--the more time you spend in the game, the greater your chance of winning. The contest will run for six weeks, starting today, with a new car being given away each week. Interestingly, the Real Racing GTI app isn't just a car-driving game. It also has built-in functionality to use Twitter to capture and upload game screenshots, allowing competitors to message each other about their progress. The Real Racing GTI App is available now in the App Store (iTunes link). Read More

R32. That three-character alphanumeric code is capable of kick-starting a whole subculture of hot hatch fans into overdrive. And for good reason--the Volkswagen Golf R32 was one of the most complete packages on the market, with power, handling, features and style for a still-affordable price. The R32's successor, the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R, was released just last month at Frankfurt, and as Volkswagen officials have confirmed to High Gear Media at an event in Germany today, it's headed to the U.S., branded as the GTI-R.

The 2010 Golf R (or GTI-R as it's to be known here) features the same powerplant as the off-limits-for-us Scirocco R. VW's...

R32. That three-character alphanumeric code is capable of kick-starting a whole subculture of hot hatch fans into overdrive. And for good reason--the Volkswagen Golf R32 was one of the most complete packages on the market, with power, handling, features and style for a still-affordable price. The R32's successor, the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R, was released just last month at Frankfurt, and as Volkswagen officials have confirmed to High Gear Media at an event in Germany today, it's headed to the U.S., branded as the GTI-R. The 2010 Golf R (or GTI-R as it's to be known here) features the same powerplant as the off-limits-for-us Scirocco R. VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system sends the mill's power to the ground. The 2.0-liter TSI engine is rated at 265 horsepower--the most powerful production Golf ever--and is capable of propelling the hot hatch to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds when equipped with the optional DSG dual-clutch gearbox. The standard manual gets it done 0.2 seconds slower. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Average fuel consumption of the new Golf R/GTI-R is about 21 percent better than the R32, up to 27.7 mpg combined according to VW. LED daytime running lights and tail lights add the modern look to the car. Despite the official unveiling, not much else is known about the 2010 Golf R/GTI-R. The photos reveal a styling package similar to the R32's, with large alloy wheels, an aggressive front-end treatment and generally restrained touches elsewhere wrapped up in the new Mark VI Golf styling. Fans of the R32 may be disappointed the sonorous six-cylinder of the old car won't be returning, but the peppy and efficient turbo 2.0-liter may offer more potential for tuning. Hot hatch fans in general will be glad to see the car come back in any form, as the Golf R goes on sale in Germany at the end of 2009 and will head Stateside in GTI-R guise sometime early next year as the bigger brother to the potent 2010 Volkswagen GTI. Read More

The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is finally making its way to the U.S. in Mark VI form, and though it's down 10 horsepower on its international-spec doppelganger, it's actually quicker 0-60 mph. And with a new exterior, interior upgrades and a price right on top of the old GTI, the 2010 model stands to win even more fans here in the States.

The powerplant under the GTI's hood should be familiar to GTI fans, with its turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection 2.0-liter displacement cranking out 200 horsepower from 5,100 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm straight through to 5,000 rpm. That's good for 6.8 seconds 0-60 mph...

The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is finally making its way to the U.S. in Mark VI form, and though it's down 10 horsepower on its international-spec doppelganger, it's actually quicker 0-60 mph. And with a new exterior, interior upgrades and a price right on top of the old GTI, the 2010 model stands to win even more fans here in the States. The powerplant under the GTI's hood should be familiar to GTI fans, with its turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection 2.0-liter displacement cranking out 200 horsepower from 5,100 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm straight through to 5,000 rpm. That's good for 6.8 seconds 0-60 mph with the six-speed manual and 6.7 seconds with the optional six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. Top speed is limited to 130 mph in U.S. models. Like any good hot hatch, it's not all about power and speed, however. The GTI gets surprisingly good fuel efficiency, especially with the DSG gearbox, which rates 24/32 mpg. The six-speed manual isn't quite as efficient around town, though it draws nearer on the highway, earning 21/31 mpg EPA estimates. With better efficiency and better performance, VW is making it hard to choose the traditional manual transmission in the 2010 GTI. For the Mark VI Golf VW stayed well within the lines, essentially stylizing the existing body shape to look a bit more current. As usual for the GTI, the front end gets a honeycomb grille, a GTI badge on the passenger side and blacked out lower front fascia ductwork. Two halogen fog lamps and reworked teardrop headlights (HID Xenons available optionally) lend an aggressive face to this capable little hatch. Along the sides, new black skirts subtly blend the front-to-rear lines. A complete absence of side moldings makes for a smoother, more streamlined profile. At the rear, the new tail lights feature smoked brake lenses and clear reverse and turn signals, letting buyers skip a common tuning step. The rear bumper also gets reshaped for the 2010 GTI, and a blacked-out diffuser integrated underneath. Standard 17x7-inch alloy wheels and all-season performance tires can be upgraded to 18x7.5-inch alloys with a choice of performance summer or all-season tires. Those wheels and tires are mounted to McPherson struts up front with lower control arms and tubular anti-roll bars to help keep the tires in contact with the road. The rear gets a four-link independent suspension, making room for more cargo than alternative setups by allowing for a larger rear hatch opening. VW says the electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering setup induces good on-center feel, and provides good feedback to inspire confidence in the driver. The final aspect of the GTI's performance package is its brake system: 312 mm discs up front and 286 mm discs out back grasped by red-painted calipers provide sure-footed stops. Inside, the 2010 GTI gets heavily bolstered front seats wrapped in patterend "sport fabric" with red-and-white double stitching. Standard manual adjustments including lumbar support are included, while the three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel has a new embossed center, aluminum trim on the spokes and perforated leather sections along the top and bottom. A redesigned instrument panel joins the 2010 GTI, adding chrome trim to the big tach, and re-arranging other gauges. In the center of the display is a multi-function display that provides all the info you expect from a modern car. Brushed metal and metallic accents are spread throughout the cabin, including the gearshift, center stack controls and stereo. The standard audio system is an eight-speaker satellite-capable six-disc CD changer unit with build-in iPod, auxiliary and Bluetooth support. The base stereo can be upgraded to a 300-watt Dynaudio Lite system as well. A touch-screen navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen and 30-gigabyte harddrive can also be added, which also brings an SD-card slot and DVD playback to the table. A full complement of electronic safety and driving aids are to be found in the GTI's ECU: ABS, ESP and TPMS are standard fare, while Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Engine Braking Assist (EBA) add to the usual list. All-new for the Mark VI GTI is the Electronic Limited Slip system dubbed XDS. This system electronically monitors individual wheel sensors and sends more torque to the wheels with the most grip for extra traction and performance. Passive safety features include the VW Prevent and Preserve system of 40 different safety features, including six airbags, special head restraints, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, and in the five-door GTI, optional rear side airbags and rear outboard seatbelt pre-tensioners. [VW] Read More

Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout - APEAL - is how J.D. Power measures the 'gratification' a car owner experiences with each new model on the market. For the fifth year running Porsche took top honors, but several trends in the market show a wide range of improvements.

First up: American carmakers have closed the gap on their import counterparts. In 2007, domestics fell 27 points short of imports, while in 2008 that shrunk to 15 points. This year there's just 5 points between domestics and imports, reflecting the huge improvement in design and build quality of American vehicles.

“Consumers have a great array of appealing... Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout - APEAL - is how J.D. Power measures the 'gratification' a car owner experiences with each new model on the market. For the fifth year running Porsche took top honors, but several trends in the market show a wide range of improvements. First up: American carmakers have closed the gap on their import counterparts. In 2007, domestics fell 27 points short of imports, while in 2008 that shrunk to 15 points. This year there's just 5 points between domestics and imports, reflecting the huge improvement in design and build quality of American vehicles. “Consumers have a great array of appealing vehicles to choose from by both domestic and import brands,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. Underscoring the improvement of the American brands is the overall industry improvement. The average score across all models in 2009 is up 9 points from 2008 to 779. A large part of that increase is attributed to a boost in owner satisfaction with fuel economy, according to Sargent. “Although lower fuel prices and the switch to smaller vehicles have undoubtedly helped, there are also many individual vehicles that have made strong improvements in fuel economy ratings,” said Sargent. “For example, the Ford F-150, Cadillac Escalade, Volkswagen Jetta and redesigned Dodge Ram have all made major strides in owner satisfaction with fuel economy through the introduction of more efficient powertrains.” The Germans also did well - as usual - in the APEAL rankings for 2009. Beyond Porsche's first-place finish, Volkswagen took home four category awards for the CC, GTI, Passat and Tiguan. Mercedes-Benz nabbed two of its own for the S-Class and SLK-Class. The APEAL results are built on owner evaluations of more than 90 vehicle attributes, with responses gathered between February and May 2009 from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership. Read More

Late last year, reports emerged claiming Volkswagen was working on three separate sports-oriented versions of the popular Golf hatchback. The first of these we've already seen in the form of the recently launched GTI, and this spring the second star of the trio, the GTD oil-burner, was revealed ahead of its debut at the Leipzig Motor Show. Today, the car is officially on sale in Germany, accompanied by a sheaf of new photos.

The GTD features a 2.0L turbodiesel engine with 170hp (127kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. This engine will fully comply with tough Euro 5 emissions standards, yet still accelerate the car from 0-100km/h in 8.1... Late last year, reports emerged claiming Volkswagen was working on three separate sports-oriented versions of the popular Golf hatchback. The first of these we've already seen in the form of the recently launched GTI, and this spring the second star of the trio, the GTD oil-burner, was revealed ahead of its debut at the Leipzig Motor Show. Today, the car is officially on sale in Germany, accompanied by a sheaf of new photos. The GTD features a 2.0L turbodiesel engine with 170hp (127kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. This engine will fully comply with tough Euro 5 emissions standards, yet still accelerate the car from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds when equipped with VW’s six-speed DSG (a six-speed manual is also available). At full-throttle, the GTD will be able to reach a top speed of around 222km/h. While the acceleration figures don’t seem that impressive for the GTD, the torquey nature of the engine and low-end pulling power should ensure performance fans won’t be too disappointed - the peak torque of 258lb-ft (350Nm) comes on at just 1,750rpm. However, fuel consumption is where the GTD really shines, with a claimed fuel-economy of 44.4mpg (5.3L/100km) for the European cycle – a marked improvement over the GTI's more thirsty figures of 31mpg (7.4L/100km). Combine this with the car’s 55L fuel tank and theoretically it will be able to drive over 1,000km on a single fill. Other features of the car include a unique rear diffuser, dual exhaust pipes, a chrome grille, 17in alloys and a sports chassis. Production for the GTD will start next month, with sales following soon after that. Luckily for Golf fans, the GTD is not the last of the hot Golfs - VW has one more card up its sleeve in the form of the upcoming 'R' variant of the Golf, set to replace the current VW Golf R32. Details are scarce, however early reports are claiming the car will be fitted with a 270hp (201kW) engine churning out power to all four wheels - 22hp (16kW) more than the outgoing R32. The engine is expected to be a four-cylinder turbo model, unlike the R32 which used a naturally aspirated V6. There's no definitive word yet on whether VW will bring the GTD to the U.S., though rumors are circulating that hint it's under consideration. Check out the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTD gallery below to see the new photos of the car.VW Golf Mark VI official photos2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI MK VI2010 Volkswagen Golf GTD Read More

Custom-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder hatches are pretty common fare anywhere in the world. But it's not every day that a handful of young apprentices at one of the world's biggest carmakers turn out a car that turns heads like the Golf GTI Street

Built around a heavily modified 2.0L TFSI engine, the apprentices also packaged some other sophisticated gear into the street-mod GTI. A coilover suspension kit is a must-have for the category, but it also features a hydraulic ride height adjustment - a first for the GTI.

Beyond the performance and suspension mods, the team - four young men aged 19-22 - also fit 19in wheels with 225-width tires... Custom-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder hatches are pretty common fare anywhere in the world. But it's not every day that a handful of young apprentices at one of the world's biggest carmakers turn out a car that turns heads like the Golf GTI Street Built around a heavily modified 2.0L TFSI engine, the apprentices also packaged some other sophisticated gear into the street-mod GTI. A coilover suspension kit is a must-have for the category, but it also features a hydraulic ride height adjustment - a first for the GTI. Beyond the performance and suspension mods, the team - four young men aged 19-22 - also fit 19in wheels with 225-width tires and brakes adapted from the famed R32. A completely black-and-white treatment inside and out plus some custom badge work wrap up the GTI Street's unique design. The car was built for exhibition at the 2009 Wörthersee Tour, and will be on display alongside the Polo GTI Concept revealed yesterday. For more on the standard Mark VI GTI, check out our coverage here. Read More