GTI Mk6 for Paris

Fans of the original hot hatch, Golf's GTI, won't have long to wait to see the Golf VI version. Though only the cooking models of Volkswagen's iconic model were launched in Iceland this week, the carmaker has confirmed it will display a GTI "concept" at the Paris Motor Show in two weeks time.

But don't get too hung up on the concept tag -- VW's global sales boss, Detlef Wittig, says the car is for real.

"For sure it's a concept -- one of three we will display at Paris -- but it's a concept we will soon sell," Wittig told the Carsales Network in reference to the unveiling in the first week of October.

Golf VI exterior design team member, Frank Josef Breuse, said the car will follow "the successful formula" that has been employed in previous GTI generations. He confirmed the car will feature unique front and rear styling and will sit lower than the standard Golf VI models.

Debate now centres on the output of the updated 2.0 TFSI turbocharged direct-fuel-injected four-cylinder under the new GTI's bonnet. Though so far 155kW has been the ballpark figure, VW insiders have hinted that the car could go close to matching the latest Focus XR5's 166kW output.

While he definitely ruled out one of the wilder suggestions for the new car -- an Audi TTS-matching 200kW -- Christian Trost, a senior member of the Golf family product marketing team, has confirmed that the output of the new car has cast doubt on the viability of the 184kW R32 V6-powered Golf.

"There is no confirmation of the R32 for Golf VI. We must consider the positioning of the new GTI before such a decision is made," Trost told the Carsales Network.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our news coverage from this year's Paris Mondial de L'Automobile.

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