Volkswagen’s updated Golf GTI arrives with revised look and more power
VW’s iconic hot hatch will arrive this year with an expected starting price of £40,000
In a significant move to revitalise its iconic Golf GTI model, Volkswagen has announced the launch of a facelifted version for 2024. This latest iteration comes with a suite of updated interior tech upgrades, exterior changes and a more potent engine.
Design refinements include new, slimmer headlights and modernised LED daytime running lights, plus refreshed tail lights and bumper. The car also rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the new Golf GTI steps up with significant technological enhancements. The interior now features a new infotainment system, boasting screen sizes ranging from 10.4 to 12.9 inches, plus an improved user interface. There's also onboard ambient lighting, which is said to deliver a choice of up to 30 colours.
The latest iteration of the Golf and Golf GTI also introduces advanced assistance systems to simplify parking maneuvers. The upgraded Park Assist Plus, designed to autonomously identify suitable parallel or bay parking spots as the vehicle passes by, automatically initiates the parking process. This sophisticated system manages steering, acceleration, and braking, requiring only the driver's supervision.
For the first time, VW has also added what it calls Park Assist Pro, which delivers smartphone-controlled parking. This technology allows drivers to effortlessly guide their vehicle into and out of tight parking spaces remotely.
While the Golf's interior retains its practicality with unchanged space, Volkswagen has said it has focused on enhancing material quality and comfort features for this latest iteration.
In addition to the interior updates, the GTI model variant also comes with ample red stitching on the steering wheel, plus more supportive seats which are adorned in VW’s signature check pattern design.
Under the hood, the GTI boasts a more robust 2.0-litre engine, producing 261bhp, up from 242bhp before. Performance metrics haven't been released yet, but it's expected to surpass the existing car's 0-62mph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds. The new GTI will also no longer offer a manual gearbox option.
The Golf GTI, being the more premium offering, is expected to start from £40,000, while the standard facelifted Golf is expected to start from around £30,000.
The launch of the first Golf by Volkswagen occurred in 1974, and signified a transformative era for the brand, moving away from the rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive of the Beetle to embrace a more modern front-mounted engine with front-wheel drive. The success of the Golf, with over a million units produced by 1976, paved the way for seven subsequent generations.