2010 Volkswagen GTI
Development of Volkswagen’s MkVII Golf is well underway, with the new car on track to come onto the market towards the end of next year as a 2013 model. While a conventional hatchback shape will remain, designers are thought to be going for much sharper styling in an effort to make the new Golf appear sportier.
Its powertrain lineup will also be revitalized, with more power across the board as well as better fuel economy. This will be particularly so for the high-performance GTI model, which Autocar reports will get an uprated version of the current model’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter four.
Thanks to a new valve lift system developed by Audi, the engine will reportedly produce up to 220 horsepower instead of the current model’s 207 horsepower.
Importantly, a more powerful version of this engine is expected to also feature in the next-generation Golf R, as the current model’s 270 horsepower EA113 engine is scheduled to be phased out in 2014 ahead of new EU6 emissions regulations.
Finally, the current Golf GTI’s XDS front-wheel drive electronic differential is expected to be upgraded for use in its successor.
Look out for the debut of the new MkVII Volkswagen Golf GTI sometime in 2013.
[Autocar]
