VW declared that the beginning price of its vehicle in its native market in Germany was €44,505. Using today’s conversion rates, this sum equals $47,992, or almost the same as a brand-new BMW 3 Series, which begins at €45,200, or $48,742. Even though the basic 318i variant of the premium small sports sedan only has 156 horsepower (115 kW), it nevertheless maintains a decent 0-62 mph (100 kph) speed of 8.6 seconds, making it less powerful than its competitors.
In contrast, the latest iteration of the VW Golf GTI, a front-wheel-drive compact hot hatch, offers significantly more performance. Accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 5.9 seconds and boasting a top speed of 155 mph (250 kph), this model is powered by an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Generating 261 horsepower (195 kW) between 5,250 and 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque from 1,600 rpm, the Golf GTI exhibits impressive performance figures.
Equipped with IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 17-inch Richmond alloys (with optional 19-inch Queenstown wheels), twin exhaust pipes, and iconic GTI emblems, the Golf GTI boasts both style and substance. Inside, it features sports seats, red decorative stitching, an exclusive start/stop button, brushed stainless steel pedal caps, and a black headliner.
Volkswagen’s Golf Mk8.5 family is set to expand further with the introduction of a special edition GTI, anticipated to be the Clubsport 50, scheduled for revealing on May 31. This forthcoming model is expected to offer enhanced power and additional features compared to the standard Golf GTI, possibly reaching 300 metric horsepower (296 bhp/221 kW).
Furthermore, Volkswagen plans to introduce the range-topping Golf R, retaining its all-wheel drive configuration and likely boasting even more power than its predecessor’s 315 hp (235 kW). While the pre-facelifted Golf GTI and Golf R models are still available in certain markets, priced at $31,965 and upwards of $45,665, respectively, these prices exclude destination charges.
