While 2016 will be the year we see a more powerful 40th-anniversary model joining face-lifted MK7 Golf GTI range, planning for the eighth-generation of this iconic model appears to already be at an advanced stage.
Set for a 2019 launch (a year after the introduction of the Mk8 Golf) expect the next-generation GTI to not only up the power but also feature significantly more aggressive styling, with the likes of the Wörthersee-showcased Clubsport and GTI roadster concepts providing us with a glimpse of where the next GTi is headed. While the folks at Auto Express have hinted that another concept closer to the finished product will appear as soon as January 2016, they have taken upon themselves to complete renderings (above) of how they think the new car will look.
Reports suggest the Mk8 GTI will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre engine, but will be offered in three versions, including a 195 kW standard model, 220 kW Performance Pack, and a 240 kW Club Sport flagship version.
As we’ve seen with the current Performance Pack model, expect upgrades within these more powerful models to include larger brakes and additional driver aids such as an electronically-operated limited-slip diff. This is especially in light of the likelihood that next GTi will continue to feature a front-wheel drive setup, while the R continue on the AWD route
The big news is that while the a six-speed manual transmission will feature as standard, Volkswagen’s new 10-speed dual-clutch ‘box could be offered as an alternative. Engineered to offer sharper changes while pushing on, yet vastly improved efficiency on the open road, reports suggest this transmission is capable of coping with up to 550 N.m of torque.
We can also expect significant weight savings throughout the new Golf range (thanks to a new lighter and more rigid MQB evo platform) set to benefit these both performance and fuel economy.
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