Next VW Golf GTI Will Have 245 HP In Base Form
We've heard a lot of rumors about the next Golf GTI, and this is to be expected from the best selling hot hatch of all time. But this one makes more sense than the rest. A video published by Auto Bild magazine claims the big GTI will get the usual cosmetic treatment - bigger brakes, bigger wheels, enlarged front intakes and the trademark red stripe going through the grille. But what's under the hood? The obvious answer is: a 2-liter turbo. Volkswagen uses it in nearly every car, from the Polo GTI to the gigantic Atlas crossover. It won't get any major power bump either, some might say. The base version of the car will have 245 horsepower, which is what you currently get with the GTI Performance, the only model to pass the new European emissions tests. But we think that's more than enough, even if it's a carry-over.
The iconic Mk5 came out with 200 HP and the Mk6, which was more of a revision than a new car, increased the output to 210 HP. Meanwhile, the Mk7 started out with 220 HP, which was upped to 230 during the facelift while retaining 350 Nm of torque. So where would a 245 HP Golf GTI sit in comparison to the competition? Well, the closest rivals would be the 250 horsepower base Peugeot 308 GTi and Hyundai i30 N. Of course, Volkswagen will launch more powerful version and track-focused models. The GTI Performance is probably going to boast 265 HP while the successor to the Clubsport should arrive by the time the GTI turns 45 in 2021. How the years fly! In any case, our source claims the most powerful GTI will have 300 horsepower, which is believable since that's what the Leon Cupra makes. Only time will tell if the tech package of the hot hatch will grow to include mild-hybrid assistance.
The ever-popular Golf hatchback has been with us since 1974. Currently in its seventh generation, the Golf is getting ready for a complete overhaul. And while the conventional models are now outdated, the hot GTI version of the car seems to be unaffected by advancing years. The definition of hot hatch - the Golf GTI has always been highly sought-after among this niche鈥檚 buyers. The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI might be the last German automaker鈥檚 GTI hatchback in quite a while since the new generations often tend to start things slowly. Although there are more powerful choices on the market, few manage to balance between fun and practicality as the Golf GTI does. Apart from having a more potent engine, the GTI differs from conventional units thanks to a number of minor sporty aesthetic tweaks, both inside and out. Speaking of its engine, the Volkswagen Golf GTI for MY 2019 draws power from a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four that鈥檚 making 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Regardless of the trim level of choice, the Golf GTI always comes with a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. Needless to say, both are great. 26,500, the Golf GTI offers good value for the money, even though it鈥檚 pricier than most of its competitors. 40,000, and still doesn鈥檛 offer class-leading performance. 35,000. Despite riding on seven-year-old underpinnings, the VW Golf GTI is still worthy of consideration. The Volkswagen Passat finds itself at the bottom of many mid-size sedan-relevant categories. Running on the same architecture since late 2011, the Passat is currently the most outdated car in its class, and we all know how competitive the family mid-size sedan segment can be. With the next-gen models just around the corner, the 2019 Volkswagen Passat will be the last of the B7 models. Despite being outdated, conservative, not overly fuel-efficient, not exactly upscale, and not tech-savvy enough, the Passat does have a few upsides, which we believe helped it find 60,722 new owners in the U.S. 2017. It鈥檚 slightly more spacious than most of its competitors, boasts a fine ride quality, and gets the job done.
