PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI
Volkswagen takes the wraps of its new ‘environmental flagship' and ‘spearhead' Golf models at the Paris International Motor ShowVolkswagen has revealed its seventh-generation Golf to the public at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The model range included the Golf BlueMotion, a car Volkswagen refers to as its new ‘environmental flagship’, as well as the now-legendary hot hatch Golf GTI.
In spite of a demonstration from Greenpeace, Volkswagen pushed on with its unveiling undeterred. The Golf BlueMotion seemingly contradicting the activists’ banner with an impressive CO2 output of 85g/km, and a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of just 3.2L/100km.
Powered by a 1.6-litre TDI (turbo diesel) four-cylinder engine, the BlueMotion model encompasses many of Volkswagen’s suite of environmentally-focussed technologies outlined at the pre-release in Berlin.
However, the eco-friendliest Golf was soon followed by -- and almost certainly upstaged by -- the new performance ‘spearhead' Golf GTI. It’s the most powerful and most advanced GTI yet, boasting 162kW of power from its 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine.
To be available in two variants, the Golf GTI will arrive in ‘standard’ form with the aforementioned 162kW/350Nm output, but will also be offered in Performance Pack trim, which adds an additional 7kW -- almost levelling the current range-topper, Golf R.
Both models are available with the choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions which will see it deliver combined fuel economy figures of 6.0L/100km. 0-100km/h is dealt with in just 6.6 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 246km/h (250km/h for the Performance Pack-equipped version).
The Golf GTI is offered with the same electronic differential lock offered in Mark VI but adds a variable-ratio steering setup. Ride height is reduced 15mm from the standard Golf while visually, the usual red cues and calipers appear throughout, as well as the honeycomb grille, familiar badging and wider air intakes.
"As you know the GTi is one of our key products and we will try to get it here as soon as possible, late 2013," said Volkswagen Australia's managing director, Anke Koeckler. The regular Golf is expected to arrive in Australia in Q2 2013.
Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au
See all the photos from the Paris Motor Show at motoring.com.au
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