SPY PICS: 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI exposed

The all-new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch has been snapped testing at the 20km Nurburgring road course in Germany ahead of its launch in 2020.

Undergoing performance evaluation at the 'Ring, the new model will need to bring its A-game as the hot hatch rivals such as the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS and particularly the Hyundai i30 N encroach on its territory.

This vehicle appears to be blasting around the circuit on large 20-inch alloy wheels shod with sporty low profile tyres and wearing a drop body kit comprising side skirts and aggressive front and rear bumpers.

Volkswagen's newest hot hatch also sports the signature twin exhaust pipes and roof spoiler, the new Mk8 Golf GTI also showing off slimmer LED headlights and more aggressive frontal styling.

In terms of power, the new hot hatch is tipped to get the latest version of VW's 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, codenamed EA888.

Top-shelf 'performance' variants of the VW Golf GTI should bang out at least 210kW and 400Nm, which will bring its performance closer to that of the abovementioned hot fours.

Standard GTI hatchbacks will get around 190kW.

Based on the latest MQB platform architecture, the new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2020, several months after the regular VW Golf models are shown, and will be festooned with all the latest gizmos from the VW Group parts bin.

We're talking an ultra-large flush-fit touchscreen with haptic feedback borrowed from the likes of the new Audi Q8 flagship SUV, not to mention new head-up display tech, revised interior styling and advanced autonomous driving systems to match.

The new Golf GTI will also be lighter, more agile and more powerful than the models it replaces.

There was talk the new Volkswagen Golf GTI would make a switch to hybrid power as the German company shifts its product line-up to incorporate electrification, but it now appears as though VW will continue with the GTI's tried-and-tested petrol-powered recipe.

Its 2.0-litre turbo four will pump through a revised seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that should see its 0-100km/h acceleration time dip below six seconds. European customers will have access to a six-speed manual, but the stick-shifter is unlikely to be offered to Aussie customers.

There are no three-door Golf GTI models offered in Australia any more and moves are afoot to axe the three-door version of the Golf GTI globally.

The new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is expected to debut later in 2019 with European sales to begin in early 2020. Aussie customers can expect to see the whiz-bang eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf in showrooms from late 2020, while the Golf GTI is likely to lob here in 2021.

The new Golf was supposed to debut at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show in September but was delayed due to its complex infotainment and connected online systems.