VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia (VGA) has outlined the pricing and specification of its newest Golf GTI with the enduring sizzling hatch being pushed decidedly upmarket to now begin from $53,100 plus on-road prices when it hits native showrooms on Might 24.
Including nearly $6000 to the GTI’s asking worth inevitably opens it as much as assault from the looming BMW 128ti ($56,900), the price of which was initially scrutinised given its premium over the overwhelming majority of its direct rivals, together with the Mk7.5 GTI ($47,190).
Nonetheless, VGA justifies the hefty worth enhance by means of the inclusion of the model’s new IQ.Drive semi-autonomous driving know-how/security suite, in addition to being a new-generation mannequin.
“In normal type the GTI is essentially the most impressively geared up sporting hatchback for any worth comparable or approaching it,” VGA mentioned in an announcement.
At present being rolled out throughout VGA’s portfolio as a part of mannequin 12 months updates, the IQ.Drive suite bundles collectively semi-autonomous driving aids with the overwhelming majority of the automotive’s energetic security options.
The suite is comprised of journey help, entrance help with pedestrian and bicycle owner monitoring, adaptive cruise management, lane help, oncoming automobile braking when turning, driver fatigue detection, facet help, rear visitors alert, rearview digital camera, park help, emergency help, exit warning system, entrance and rear paring sensors, manoeuvre braking and tyre stress monitoring.
For reference, journey help is actually a mix of lane hold help and energetic cruise management.
Contained in the cabin, the motive force scores the most recent ‘Digital Cockpit Professional’ (digital instrument cluster) and 10.0-inch ‘Uncover Professional’ infotainment system which mix to type the ‘Innovision Cockpit’.
Different normal gear highlights embrace 18-inch alloy wheels, honeycomb patterned sprint and door trim, push button begin, LED headlights, sports activities seats, tartan material upholstery, black headliner, stainless-steel pedals and pink stitching.
These wanting leather-appointed upholstery and electrical driver’s seat controls should go for the $3800 ‘luxurious package deal’ which additionally provides entrance seat heating and air flow, a heated steering wheel, panoramic glass sunroof and a reminiscence operate for the motive force’s seat.
A $1500 ‘sound and imaginative and prescient package deal’ can be out there, containing a head-up show and a nine-speaker (plus sub), 480W Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Sporting the identical turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine because the earlier era, the Mk8 GTI doesn’t possess any additional firepower over its predecessor, with peak energy and torque rated at 180kW/370Nm.
As ever for a GTI, drive is shipped solely to the entrance wheels with the only transmission alternative in Australia to be a seven-speed dual-clutch automated – VGA dropped the guide transmission from the present era citing a scarcity of demand, a moved mirrored within the mechanically associated Skoda Octavia vary.
Regardless, 0-100km/h is accomplished in a claimed 6.3 seconds whereas mixed gas financial system is pegged at 7.0 litres per 100km.
To maximise its cornering prowess, the GTI will come normal with adaptive damping, electronically managed front-axle differential lock and progressive steering.
“The artwork that continues to elude the GTI’s imagined rivals is a automotive that’s as civilised in each day deployment as you select, however which might be an completed sportscar whenever you want,” VGA managing director Michael Bartsch mentioned.
“It’s these virtues, coupled with a basic slightly than kitsch design and the most recent in on-board know-how, that can make sure the GTI and, subsequent 12 months, the Golf R Mark 8, proceed to outsell rivals by an excellent margin.”
Whereas the GTI shouldn’t be listed particularly within the month-to-month VFacts information, VGA offered 30 Golfs final month, accounting for 0.4 per cent of the sub-$40,000 small automotive section which is presently being dominated by the Toyota Corolla (2062/24.6%) and Hyundai i30 (1952/23.3%).
