The seventh generation of Volkswagen’s potent Golf GTI, known in the U.S. simply as the GTI, has been revealed ahead of its official world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on March 5.

The car is based on the latest 2014 Volkswagen Golf, revealed last year, and will be hitting U.S. showrooms sometime next year.

This will be the first GTI to be built outside of Germany, with Volkswagen recently announcing that U.S.-delivered Golfs and GTIs will be sourced from a plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Some GTI die-hards may dislike the fact that the U.S.-bound cars won’t be built in Germany anymore, but we’re sure they’ll be appeased by the fact that the latest GTI is both lighter and more powerful than the model it replaces.  

This photo of the car traveling along a curvy road cutting through some rolling hills probably represents a dream scenario for many GTI fans.

With 220 horsepower being delivered by its turbocharged 2.0-liter mill, or as much as 230 with an available performance pack, we’re sure the new GTI will make short work of any stretch of road. But it’s not just about power, as the GTI also benefits from Volkswagen’s brilliant MQB platform, which in some Golf variants has led to weight savings of as much as 220 pounds over the previous generation.

Transmission choices remain a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch DSG ‘box, and drive still goes only to the front wheels.

With the manual, the 0-62 run takes 6.5 seconds (6.4 with the performance  pack) and top speed is 153 mph (155 mph with the performance pack). Performance figures for the DSG version haven't yet been released.

McLaren P1 supercar

McLaren P1 supercar

After literally years of speculation, McLaren’s spiritual successor to its legendary F1 supercar has been revealed in the form of the new P1. This is probably the best angle to view the P1, whose design, McLaren says, was sculptured almost completely with aerodynamics in mind. It delivers 903 horsepower from its hybrid drivetrain, will accelerate to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds and reach a governed top speed of 217.5 mph.

2016 BMW 7-Series spy shots

2016 BMW 7-Series spy shots

An updated 7-Series has just been introduced for the 2013 model year  but already the next generation of the BMW flagship sedan is out testing. This is a very early prototype for the car, which looks to be gaining only evolutionary changes on the outside. Inside, things will be very different as BMW is believed to be adopting carbon fiber and other lightweight materials for the car’s construction.

The final Alfa Romeo Zagato Stradale TZ3 - image: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

The final Alfa Romeo Zagato Stradale TZ3 - image: Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

Zagato’s Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale is one of the most beautiful cars of recent times. The fact that it’s built around the chassis of a Dodge Viper ACR means this it comes close to automotive perfection. Sadly, only nine of these beauties were ever built, which means you’re unlikely to ever see one on the streets. If you happen to be attending this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, however, the ninth and final example will be on display.

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

The Scion FR-S, along with its Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT 86 cousins, is a decent looking car. Remove the roof, however, and you have one of the best looking rides this side of a hundred grand. Of course, there’s no such thing as a Scion FR-S Convertible on sale just yet, but this stunning concept version set to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next week suggests it could be very soon.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible first drive

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible first drive

We recently drove the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible and found it to be virtually unflappable in almost any situation. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it’s huge, but when you’re behind the wheel you’ll definitely feel like you command the road and the environment. It’s a beautiful car, as you’ll see in this photo, and we’d love to see it parked in our garage.

2003 Cadillac Sixteen Concept

2003 Cadillac Sixteen Concept

If you thought the Bentley was big, just take a look at this photo of the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003. The car looks just as striking today as it did ten years ago, and its engine, a 13.6-liter V-16 rated at a 1,000 horsepower, would outmatch most powertrains on offer today as well.

2013 Porsche 911 RSR race car

2013 Porsche 911 RSR race car

Porsche’s fearsome 911 RSR is back, this time in the latest 991-series body. Here is the brute testing at Sebring International Raceway in preparation for the 2013 World Endurance Championship season opener this April. The series will once again include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an event in which Porsche will be fielding two cars.

That's it for this week. And if for some reason you aren't already following Motor Authority, we highly recommend you look us up on Twitter and Facebook after you subscribe to our YouTube channel.