Volkswagen Golf GTI price confirmed as order books open for eight generation of an icon

Volkswagen has announced prices and specifications for its latest Golf GTI as it begins to take orders for the new model, alongside the GTE performance plug-in hybrid.

The eight generation of the famed hot hatch costs from £33,460 for the six-speed manual variant, with a £1,500 premium for cars equipped with the seven-speed DSG transmission.

Powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the Mk8 Golf GTi produces 242bhp and 273lb/ft of torque. In the faster DGS-equipped car that means a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

All new Golf GTIs come equipped with Volkswagen’s new Vehicle Dynamics Manager which controls all the electromechanically adjustable elements of the car’s running gear, from the XDS electronic diff to the optional adaptive dampers. The new GTI also comes with a locking front differential and a suite of the latest driver aids, including lane change assist.

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GTIs are marked out from regular Golfs thanks to their unique front and rear bumpers, roof spoiler and smoked LED tail lights. They also get a full-width illuminated grille strip, honeycomb design LED fog lights, unique 18-inch alloys and chromed twin tailpipes.

Inside, the Golf GTI’s sports seats are upholstered in the latest version of the distinctive Jacara check cloth, while the sports steering wheel is leather-wrapped and heated, with paddle shifters for the DSG-equipped variant. Keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control and electrically controlled mirrors with puddle lighting are also standard.

The new Golf GTE is going on sale at the same time as the regular GTI, offering similar performance but via a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain.

The GTE’s 242bhp comes from a combination of 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and a 109bhp electric motor. Maximum system torque is rated at 296lb ft and the GTE will reach 62mph from standstill in 6.7 seconds.

The new GTE’s battery is 50 per cent larger than the Mk7 GTE’s and its 13kWh capacity offers up to 32 miles on a single charge. Official WLTP testing returned economy of 176.6mpg and CO2 emissions o just 36g/km for the Golf GTE.

Like the GTI, the GTE features the grille lightbar, honeycomb LED fog lights and Jacara cloth upholstery and shares the same equipment specification. However, to mark the GTE out, the cloth, grille trim and badging feature a vibrant blue element used across VW’s low-emissions vehicles. The GTE also uses a 17-inch version of the GTI’s Richmond alloys and hides its tail pipes behind the bumper.

Dale Piper, Golf product manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “This is a key market for the Golf, and in particular for performance Golfs. With impressive acclaim from critics already, we’re confident that the new Golf GTI and, through electrification, the GTE will continue this success.”

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