2013 volkswagen golf gti specs

It appeared in the mid-'70s and it was produced ever since. In 2013 it reached its seventh generation.

The Golf GTI (or Gran Tourer Injection) model was the car designed to satisfy the younger customers with some performance. The first GTI could do a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in less than 10 seconds with a 4-speed manual. That time continued to be enhanced from generation to generation.

The outside design is instantly recognizable Golf. There are some small details to tell the difference. On the front, there was a red line that went across the grille and was continued inside the headlights. The bigger front bumper included some air-scoops and the narrow grille had a honeycomb mesh design. The aerodynamic side-sills made the car look sportier, and so was the rear roof-spoiler. Standard 18" light-alloy wheels were fitted. In the rear, it featured two side exhausts.

Inside, there were some classic design cues and some modern touches. For instance, the upholstery had the same pattern as the original Golf GTI. The instrument panel though it was modern, with big round dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Between those two there was a small LCD display for the on-board computer. The infotainment unit was on the center console and it could feature a navigation system.

The all-wheel independent suspension and the optional adaptive dampers made the car planted to the road.

Leather seat trim

8-way manual heated front sport bucket seats -inc: optimized head restraints, lumbar support, emergency locking retractors for all seating positions

60/40 split-folding rear seat -inc: height-adjustable head restraints for all seating positions, (2) cup holders, pass-through, interlock feature, center armrest

Adjustable front center armrest w/storage compartment

Center console -inc: (2) front cup holders, front open storage compartment

Front/rear carpeted floor mats -inc: red stitching

Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping multifunction sport steering wheel -inc: wheel-mounted shift paddles

Theft-deterrent steering column

Highline instrument cluster -inc: multi-function trip computer, compass, brake pad wear indicator, seatbelt reminder, fuel cap seal warning, illumination for controls & gauges

Headlights-on warning tone

Non-smokers pkg -inc: pwr outlet w/plug, storage receptacle w/insert

Pwr windows -inc: front windows w/driver side 1-touch up/down feature, pinch protection

Remote central pwr locking system -inc: auto locking feature

Remote keyless entry

Mirror control pad w/joystick controls

Anti-theft vehicle alarm system -inc: panic button

Immobilizer theft-deterrent system

Cruise control

Touchscreen navigation system

Climatic air conditioning -inc: air-conditioning in center console

Air vents in instrument panel

Electric rear window defroster

Rear passenger ventilation for heat

Soft-opening lockable glovebox

(2) aux pwr outlets

Chrome interior door handles

Metallic door trim

Integrated armrest in front door panels

Front door storage pockets

Roof console w/integrated sunglasses holder

Sliding visors w/covered illuminated vanity mirrors

Interior dome lamp w/time delay, (2) front reading lamps

Luggage compartment light

Front seatback storage pockets

Plastic loading edge protection

Inside hatch grip

Rear cargo cover

(2) trunk tie-down hooks -inc: (1) in each corner

Emergency trunk release

Exterior

The production version remains pretty much identical to the concept we saw in Paris, meaning that on the exterior we will see the same honeycomb grille with a red line striking through it, all-new Bi-Xenon headlamps and a stylish front lip that boasts louvered vents on each side.

The new GTI version also offers special side sills, a diffuser and smoked LED taillights (including LED license plate illumination), plus two chrome tailpipes for the sporty exhaust system.

Customers will have the possibility to choose from three standard body colors: "Tornado Red", "Black" and "Pure White."

Interior

The interior also delivers a sportier feeling, thanks to the addition of new sport seats wrapped in tartan pattern, a black headliner and red ambiance lighting.

Just like any other GTI, the new generation is offered with a sport steering wheel, GTI gear shift grip and instrument cluster, special trim strips, and stainless steel pedals and foot support.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the new Golf GTI houses a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine offered in two power levels. In the standard version, it delivers a total of 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the Performance version is increased by 10 horsepower to a total of 230 horsepower. The engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional dual-clutch six-speed automatic.

The standard version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 152 mph, while the Performance version is a little bit faster: 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

Despite being more powerful than the model it replaces, the new GTI is about 18 percent more fuel efficient. This improvement has been possible by the addition of a new stop-start system. With the manual gearbox, the GTI will deliver a fuel consumption of 6 liters/100 km (39.2 mpg) and with the optional 6-speed DSG, 6.4 for the standard version and 6.5 liters/100 km (36.1 mpg) for the Performance version.

Suspensions and brakes

The sporty character of the new GTI is further accentuated by the addition of new sport suspension and a set of 17-inch "Brooklyn" GTI wheels wrapped in 225/45 tires.

The model is also equipped with a high-performance brake system that features ventilated discs and traditional red-painted calipers.

Prices

In the German market, the seventh-generation Golf GTI will be priced at €28,350 (about $37,000 at the current exchange rates).

Competition

When it comes to competition, the list is pretty much the same, except that, just like with the GTI, its competitors got better.

Ford Focus ST

The new Focus ST is one of the models that made a sensation on the market. It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that pumps out 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. As you can see, it has about 20 more horsepower than the GTI, but when it comes to look, we prefer the GTI.

Mazdaspeed3

We have to admit, Mazdaspeed3 is on the top of our list, but we would really like seeing an update in the near future. It uses a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This model is also more powerful than the GTI, but we are bored by its look. We will need to wait and see what the new generation will bring.

Conclusion

Volkswagen surprised us with the new-generation Golf GTI, but not with the car’s look. We are talking, of course, about the two different engine levels, but we are more than sure than 99 percent of the customers will go for the Performance version.

• Love it

  • New look
  • Two different engine levels
  • More powerful than previous model

• Leave it

  • No prices for the U.S. market