New Volkswagen Golf GTI: order books open for Mk8 hot hatch

Volkswagen’s engineers have also reworked the steering, making it more direct in a bid to improve both response and feedback.

The GTI will form a GT trio with the new GTD diesel and GTE petrol-electric plug-in hybrid, which Volkswagen expects will account for around 15% of Golf sales.

The designs of the three performance models have been brought into line by way of a bespoke front bumper, a roof spoiler and other flourishes. While the GTI retains its familiar red styling accents, including for a new illuminated bar running across the front grille, the GTD uses silver and the GTE blue.

The GTI also continues with its classic twin tailpipes and red brake calipers, with the latter now featuring on the GTD and GTE, too. Each model sits on 17in alloy wheels as standard, and 18in and 19in versions are also available. As with the regular Golf, there are no longer three-door versions of the GTI, GTD and GTE.

All three GT models feature the upgraded electronics and technology introduced on the standard Golf, including a number of new driver assistance and safety features.

This also means that many of the physical buttons and switches inside are replaced by a larger central touchscreen and touch-sensitive panels.

The GTI features the Golf’s top-spec 10.0in infotainment touchscreen as standard, while the GTD and GTE come with the 8.25in version but can be upgraded.

Meanwhile, the standard 10.25in digital instrument display features a GTI mode that highlights the rev counter.

A new sports steering wheel has been added, while the manual gearlever retains the traditional ‘golf ball’ knob. For the first time, the GTI, GTD and GTE will all be offered with differing varieties of tartan trim, with the traditional red stitching of the GTI replaced by grey and blue in the GTD and GTE respectively.

The GTD features a new version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre TDI engine that produces 197bhp (up from 181bhp) and 295lb ft. It’s fitted with two selective catalytic reduction filters and has new turbocharging and cooling systems; Volkswagen claims these changes improve fuel economy and reduce NOx emissions by around 80%.

The GTD is offered with the dual-cluch automatic gearbox only and is intended as the ‘endurance athlete’ of the Golf family, having a claimed range of more than 500 miles.

The GTE (details of which were revealed when the standard Golf was launched) has received a hike in output over its predecessor to make a combined 242bhp and 295lb ft. Its powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine making 148bhp and a electric motor making 114bhp. The latter is powered by a 13kWh lithium ion battery. With almost twice the capacity of the battery in the previous GTE, this allows for around 37 miles of electric-only running.