2013 Volkswagen GTI

• The Original is back
• Fast: Turbo FSI used in the Golf GTI allows it to reach up to 235 km /h




The Golf GTI is back and breaking all records. It is stronger, better and more sought after than ever. With this Golf GTI at its best, Volkswagen offers a Golf of the purely sporty type, a GTI with a character of that, offered in the mid-nineties generation. This Golf GTI comes full circle - it unites the origins and future of an ingenious idea.

GTI Roots. ­In June 1976, a 182 km/h Volkswagen ruffled a few feathers in the establishment, because it democratized Germany's autobahn. This compact, wild, young racer loomed up in the rearview mirrors of fast sports cars and big saloons cruising in the fast lane. The first Golf GTI the was originally planned as a limited series of 5,000. However, GTI was simply destined to be a best-seller and quickly became synonymous with nifty sporty compacts. Now the abbreviation GTI no longer stands for a model, but instead for a brand. Today 93.2 percent of all Europeans know the GTI. GTI to them is the Golf and the Golf is Volkswagen. Indeed, GTI is Volkswagen.



GTI Performance. Take one look at the main performance figures and you will soon realize how vehemently the turbo engine breathes GTI fire into this Golf. Equipped with the standard six-speed gearbox, the front wheel drive Golf GTI accelerates to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds. Furthermore the 235 km/h GTI just needs 7.5 seconds to accelerate from 60 to 100 km/h in fifth gear. The average consumption is an economic 8.0 liters per 100 kilometers. The version with automatic double-clutch gear box allows the Golf GTI to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h even faster in 6.9 seconds.

The decisive fact is that the Golf GTI vehemently moves forward in virtually any situation. The car responds immediately to the gas pedal. It can, of course, be easily dosed to avoid fast starts when driving through towns and in slow-moving traffic. ­The clutch is light and the double-clutch gearbox is available as an option if you prefer an automatic. With full performance, getting the full use out of the fast lane on the autobahn? Not a problem. TCS helps the car pull away, the respective six-speed gearbox distributes the power and the electro/mechanical steering keeps the car on course.

The only hectic component on board the new Golf GTI is the rev counter needle when you accelerate, because it has to indicate the camshaft speed for a new gear every few seconds. At the same time, the speedometer needle stoically follows its path towards the top speed. In second gear, the needle advances to 100 km/h. Third gear pushes the Golf GTI up to 140 km/h, fourth is active up to 180 km/h, fifth up to 220 km/h and sixth takes care of the rest.

­Things are swifter if you chose the DSG instead of the manual gearbox. Free of any traction interruptions, it forms a drive package with the FSI turbo engine that is unmatched outside the Volkswagen Group. The Golf GTI is also an excellent cruiser. If you prefer a quiet drive, leave the Volkswagen in sixth gear at the recommended autobahn speed of 130 km/h and at 3,000 rpm.

In any case, the harmonious interaction of engine, gearbox and chassis make the GTI particularly exciting. In addition, there are the components that originally defined the first generation of the car, i.e. the stylish sporty exterior and interior. Both have taken a new direction with the new Golf GTI.

DESIGN / DIMENSIONS
Independent GTI-Design and optical statements in black and red, consciously bring back the GTI of the 70's

Any child will immediately recognize this Golf as being a GTI from almost any angle. This applies in particular to the front: For the first time in the almost 30-year history of the GTI, the nose is different from the other Golf models as it has its own radiator grille design. The front features a distinctive GTI look. And that means: a black radiator grille with a red frame.

­GTI Front. The new radiator grille is made up of a honeycomb structure. The same applies to the lower right-hand and left-hand radiator grille sections and fog light mountings that resemble extra air intakes. ­The bottom and top parts of the radiator grille are divided by a glossy black Ú-shaped section that forms a smooth connection. ­The Golf GTI stands firmly on the asphalt with this all-new, powerful design, the integrated front spoiler and the suspension lowered by 15 millimeters. Further GTI styling features include the darkened headlight bezels (bright chrome for Xenon) and, of course, the GTI badge integrated in the radiator grille.

GTI Rear. The striking roof spoiler, the twin exhaust tail pipes (diameter: 2 x 70 millimeters), newly designed lower bumper section and again the GTI badge show that this Golf is a real sports car. The larger rear spoiler in comparison with the Golf Trendline, Comfortline and Highline has (like the front spoiler) a clear aerodynamic function as it increases the downward pressure of the 235 km/h Golf GTI on the road.

­GTI Profile. GTI trim and design elements also characterize the profile of the car. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels (type 'Denver') with 225/45 tires (optionally available with similar design: 18-inch 'Detroit' wheels), the aforementioned 15-millimeter lower chassis, the red brake calipers on the 16-inch brake system combined with ESP, the black widened sill panels and the black high-gloss B-pillar trim all convey the GTI flair when you look at the car from the side.

­GTI Colors. The Golf GTI comes in ten colors. 'Tornado Red', 'Black' and 'Diamond Black (Pearl)' as well as 'Candy White' . Of course, it is a matter of taste. White was very popular for the first Golf GTI, because white is the color of sports cars. ­The new Golf GTI is also available in the colors 'Coastal Blue (Pearl)', 'Reflex Silver (Metallic)', 'Ink Blue', 'Steel Grey (Metallic)', 'Shadow Blue (Metallic)' and 'Laser Blue (Pearl)'.

GTI Dimensions. The GTI is a Golf. Therefore it is almost the same length, height and width as all Golfs. There are, of course, differences due to the new nose design and the lowered suspension. While the Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline versions of the Golf are 1.759 meters wide, 1.485 meters tall and 4.204 meters long, the Golf GTI has the following dimensions: the width is the same, the height has been reduced 19 millimeters to 1.466 meters and the length has been increased 10 millimeters to 4.216 meters.

GTI Safety and Quality. A millimeter here, a millimeter there: The Golf GTI body has exactly the same safety features as all Golfs. One important aspect of this 'five-star car' (EuroNCAP crash test) is the considerable improvement in stiffness compared with the previous GTI model. ­The dynamic stiffness of the body has been increased 15 percent in terms of torsion and 35 percent in terms of stiffness under flexure. The static torsional stiffness (25,000 Newton meters) has even been improved by 80 percent (!) and therefore represents the top value in its class. On every meter of road, you can feel that the body is not subject to any form of intrinsic movement.

Furthermore, despite the comparatively hard suspension, there is no unpleasant noise or movement in the body. The innovative body-inwhite structure also sets new standards in terms of the noise level. Only the resonant sound of the GTI exhaust can be heard. ­Also the high body stiffness - in addition to the reconfigured sports chassis - forms the basis for the balanced and agile handling characteristics of the Golf GTI.

Sporty
The safety chassis of the Golf presents its dynamic potential in the GTI

GTI Chassis Configuration: The Golf chassis with front strut and rear multi-link axles has been made even more dynamic for use in the new GTI and thus guarantees a new level of extremely agile handling. The sports chassis that has been lowered 15 millimeters forms the basis. True to the character of the Golf GTI, harder springs and dampers have been chosen for both axles and the stiffness rate of the rear stabilizers has been increased 20 percent (from 25 Newton meters to 30 Newton meters). The electro/mechanical power steering has also been 'programmed' with a sporty GTI map. Amongst other things, it allows higher return moments as well as higher steering forces giving the driver a more direct feel of the road.

­The new chassis and steering configurations both add noticeably to the agility. It is simply fun to drive as the sporty set-up does not come at the cost of long-distance comfort. Although the suspension is hard, the Golf GTI chassis smoothes out short bumps excellently.

GTI Handling: Generally the new GTI is extremely agile, but still very easy to control. Without having to resort to ESP intervention, the Volkswagen will, for example, even stay on track if you approach corners too fast. It does, however, push out slightly over the front axle without noticeable unpleasant under-steering. On the other hand, if you suddenly take your foot off the accelerator on curves, the tail never swings out. This kind of load alteration simply causes a pleasant over-steer (as the driver feels it early) which automatically slows the car down by turning slightly inward.

GTI Brakes: The brakes have also, of course, been adapted to the high performance of the Golf GTI. First an excellent 16-inch brake system slows the GTI down and secondly the ESP has also been set up for the GTI. It will not intervene too early and intensively or too late and vaguely. The shoes on the red brake calipers clamp onto vented brake discs with a diameter of 312 millimeters at the front and 286 millimeters at the rear. Combined with the standard Golf dual-brake assist, you get braking values that provide just as much enjoyment as accelerating.

ENGINE
Gas fuel direct injection and turbo charger and DSG connect to a purely sporty form of movement

The four-valve four-cylinder 1,984 cm3 power plant delivers a maximum output of 147 kW / 200 PS at 5,100 rpm. ­The 2.0 T-FSI in the Golf GTI has a high compression ratio of 10.5:1. Its broad torque band (280 Newton meters between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm) makes it an ideal sports car engine. The use of an FSI petrol engine with turbocharger is a novelty for Volkswagen and is unique in this class outside the group. ­The 2.0 T-FSI in the Golf GTI has a high compression ratio of 10.5:1. Its broad torque band (280 Newton meters between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm) makes it an ideal sports car engine. The use of FSI gas fuel engine with turbo charger is a novelty for Volkswagen and is unique in this class outside the group.

In detail, the 2.0 T-FSI uses the advantages of homogeneous direct injection and combines it for the first time with the powerful advantages of a turbocharger. ­This enhances the dynamics - it has an outstanding torque band, excellent response provides pure driving fun and there is not a hint of turbo lag.

GTI consumption. Apart from all the technical qualities, the new four-valve, four-cylinder engine needed to match the sporty agile character of the GTI precisely without in any way affecting the comfort and economy that have always made the GTI very suitable for everyday driving. ­In conjunction with the manual six-speed gearbox, the engine consumes 8 liters per one-hundred kilometers on average (EÚ total consumption). The optional double-clutch gearbox trims this figure to 7.9 liters. The economy of the engine is underscored by the long service intervals. The oil only needs to be changed after 30,000 kilometers at the latest or after two years. The maintenance intervals for the engine and car are identical.

DSG: The DSG double-clutch gearbox has started a revolution in terms of automatic gearboxes. That is simple to explain. It combines the advantages of a manual gearbox with those of an automatic and is simply loads of fun. The gear changes are so unbelievably fast that even trained drivers using a manual gearbox cannot keep up. Each shift point is so slick and comfortable that it's easy to get addicted. Particularly in the manual Tiptronic mode, in which the gears are changed using the plusminus gate for the selector lever, the automatic gearbox is sportier than any previous automatic gearbox.

­There is one essential difference on the double-clutch gearbox compared with previous automatic gearboxes: A hydraulic torque converter is not used as a starting element in the gearbox available for the Golf GTI. This rules out the 'elastic band effect' that mainly occurs in conjunction with smaller engines.

INTERIOR / EQÚIPMENT /
GTI instruments, GTI steering wheel, GTI gear shift knob and completely newly developed GTI sport seats

The first Golf GTI from 1976 was also a classic in terms of its interior. The interior of the new Golf GTI also has an individual character thanks to the latest technology and styling.

GTI Sport Seats. The all-new GTI seats offer maximum comfort with the best possible side support and sporty looks. The high seatbacks with integrated, but adjustable (and active) head restraints highlight the feel of exceptional sporting functionality. The front seats also come standard with lumbar support adjustment.

­The breathable upholstery cloth called Interlagos is also brand new. Its checked pattern pays tribute to the first GTI seat generation. Leather versions in 'Anthracite' and 'Beige' are also optionally available. The GTI logo stitched into the front head restraints also shows the attention to detail.

You can certainly feel the excellent ergonomics of the seats. The special upright seat position along with the distance from the GTI steering wheel and GTI gear knob are what you would expect of perfect sport seats.

GTI Steering Wheel. Just like the first Golf GTI, the new generation is steered with a three-spoke steering wheel. Today it comes standard in leather, however, special breathable perforated leather has been added to the left-hand and right-hand grip areas. The bottom of the steering wheel has been straightened slightly. Compared with the Golf steering wheels, the GTI wheel is slightly smaller in diameter and its more dynamic holding position allows for optimum control of the car. The GTI logo has been added to the brushed aluminum vertical spoke of the steering wheel. As usual in the Golf, the steering column is height and reach adjustable.

GTI gears-shift knob and Instruments. Aluminum is a major feature of the new GTI gear shift, the trim inserts on the dashboard, center console and door panels (brushed aluminum) and the pedal cluster. Another typical GTI hallmark is the black headliner. The instruments have been newly designed and are exclusive to the GTI. The rev counter goes up to 8,000 rpm and the speedometer has also been given a greater range. The individual gauges are framed in smart aluminum for the GTI.

GTI Comfort and Safety. The standard equipment in the GTI includes a multifunction computer, the front foot well lighting, the automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror with light and rain sensors, the coming home/leaving home lighting function, 'Climatic' air conditioning and a tire pressure monitor. ­Like the whole series, the GTI will also be launched with a safety package that leaves nothing to be desired. It includes the electronic stabilization program ESP, active front head restraints, three head restraints in the back and six airbags.

Source - Volkswagen