VW Golf GTI MK6 exposed

Volkswagen unveiled its sixth-gen Golf GTI as a 'concept' at last September's Paris motor show, and now leaked images of the showroom-ready article provide proof that nothing has changed in the transition to production status.

The familiar cues are all there, including a honeycomb grille with red highlights, telephone-dial alloys, GTI badging and twin tailpipes.

VW's crayon wielders appear to have drawn inspiration from the insane W12 concept (more here) revealed in 2007, and the result is a car that appears wider-stanced than the existing GTI (even though the hard points are unchanged).

The GTI Mk6 makes its world debut at next month's Geneva motor show, and we can expect to see it here around mid-year.

The latest-gen hot-hatch gains a slight increase in power, with peak output rising from 147kW to 154kW, but fuel economy is actually better as VW quotes an overall consumption figure of 7.5L/100km -- down from the current model's 8.1L/100km.

Although the new Golf GTI's 0-100km/h acceleration figures remain unchanged at 7.2 seconds for the six-speed manual and 6.9 seconds for the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, Volkswagen says this is the fastest GTI to date, with a top whack of 238km/h.

In the suspension department, the new GTI features firmer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, which are now bolstered by the optional Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC).

The adjustable pneumatic damping system comprises three settings -- 'comfort', 'normal' and 'sport' -- and is linked to the GTI's steering and throttle systems.

Similarly, the GTI's electronic limited-slip differential, dubbed XDS, is linked to the car's standard ESP stability/traction control system.

Interior niceties include a flat-bottomed steering wheel (trimmed in black leather with red stitching), gloss black dashboard, silver door-trim highlights and contoured sports seats trimmed in grey tartan cloth (harking back to the Mk1 GTI).

Kit levels are generous as the new GTI will come standard with seven airbags, a CD sound system and climate-control air-conditioning.

Exterior highlights include upright fog lights at the edges of the front bumper and dual exhausts that now sit at each extremity of the rear bumper diffuser. There are also new sills with black cladding -- allegedly to make the GTI appear "slimmer hipped".