Say Hello To The New 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTD And GTE

Looking to shred rubber without burning a hole in your pocket? Well, Volkswagen has revealed three go-faster versions of the 2020 Golf Mk8 - the GTI (petrol-only), GTE (petrol-hybrid) and the GTD (diesel). All three versions of the new Golf will make their debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. So without wasting any time, let’s get down to business:

What’s Under The Hood?

GTI: The Volkswagen Golf GTI comes with a 2.0-litre TSI engine that develops a healthy 245PS of power and 370Nm of twist. All that force is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Yes, this is the same engine present in its predecessor as well as the recently launched Octavia RS245. Like the Skoda, expect the new GTI to do the 0-100kmph run in around 6 seconds. Top speed will be restricted to 250kmph. 

GTE: If you intend to save Mother Earth, the Golf comes with a hybrid powertrain that offers similar performance chops as the GTI. It consists of a 150PS 1.4-litre TSI petrol motor paired to a 115PS (85kW) electric motor. The combined output stands at 245PS of max power and 400Nm of peak torque, 30Nm more than the GTI! The Golf GTE can cover 60km on pure EV mode and can run till 130kmph without ICE power. While the numbers are healthy, expect the performance to be slightly damped due to the additional weight of the electric motor. 

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

GTD: Let's admit it. There’s still a handful of people who prefer diesels and that’s the reason VW has decided to offer a go-faster Golf GTD. It utilises the familiar 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that develops 200PS of power and 400Nm of twist. The Mk7 Golf GTD, with its 184PS diesel engine, was capable of doing the 0-100kmph run in 7.0 seconds. Considering that the Mk8 is more powerful, we expect it to clock a sub-7 second time!

What About Goodies On Board?

All three versions of the sportier Golf come with adaptive chassis control. This adapts the suspension’s damping force based on the road conditions and drive modes. Speaking of which, the drive mode comes with a new individual mode apart from the existing Sport, Comfort and Eco, altering various settings of the car like the steering, throttle response, suspension stiffness to your individual preference. 

Styling - Hotter?

In typical VW fashion, the Golf GTI, GTE and GTD get very subtle upgrades. For starters, they get a variant badge on the grille. Then there are the aggressive bumpers that come with a single-piece air dam and honeycomb mesh-shaped fog lamps. In profile, the larger alloy wheels along with the lower ride height gives it a sporty stance. Moving on to the rear, the Golf comes with split LED tail lamps and sportier bumpers. 

Interior - Familiar?

Yes, the interior of the Golf GTI, GTE and GTD are similar to the standard model with two screens: a floating one for the infotainment system and a digital driver’s instrument display. The new seats continue to feature the trademark Tartan upholstery and also get thick side bolsters to hold you in place. Traditional elements like the sports steering wheel, the black Golf ball gear lever in manual variants and the Wolfsburg emblem have been retained.

Equipment List:

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI, GTE and GTD come with features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car technology, ambient lighting, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry with push-button start as well as LED headlamps. Other notable equipment on board include lane-keeping system, autonomous emergency braking as well as electronic differential lock. 

Last But Not The Least: 

Is the Golf GTI coming to India? Volkswagen did have plans to bring the Mk7 Golf GTI to our shores, but that never materialized. Considering that the Mk8 is here now, we really hope VW brings it to India to satisfy enthusiasts and die-hard VW fans. 

The Golf GTI, GTE and GTD will go on sale in international markets soon after its debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show.