Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva The all-new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hasn't even launched here in the United States, but over in Geneva, we're already getting our first glimpse at the hotter GTI hatchback. The fancy new Mk VII Golf is already off to a healthy start with positive reviews in Europe, and we have no doubt that this next GTI will work hard to regain its title as king of the hot hatches.

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva headlight

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

The big news for this generation of GTI is that for the first time ever, Volkswagen is actually offering two different power grades for the model, both relying on the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. Standard cars pack 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but an optional performance pack ups the horsepower number to 230. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes 6.5 seconds (6.4 with the performance pack) and top speed is quoted at 153 mph (or 155 with the performance kit). Volkswagen will continue to offer the GTI with both six-speed manual and dual-clutch transmissions.

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

On the visual front, the sub-3,000-pound GTI adds the usual bit of hot hatch aggression over the standard Golf, and those changes carry over to the interior with a flat-bottomed wheel and, of course, plaid seats. She's certainly a looker, and while some of us do find the new Golf's design to be a bit staid and evolutionary, the enhancements for the GTI indeed tug on our enthusiast heart strings.

European customers can purchase the 2014 GTI in May, and North American deliveries will likely start in about one year's time.

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva