Hot hatch culture peaked in India with Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 launched in 2023. It packed 421 horses under the bonnet, but it cost a fortune close to Rs 1 Cr (Ex-sh). In India’s premium segment, it was Volkswagen’s Polo GTI that stole the hearts of buyers.
Now, Volkswagen is poised to steal the hearts of enthusiasts again. Only, this time, VW is bringing bigger guns than Polo GTI. We’re talking about Golf Gti which is known globally to be a pocket rocket. Ahead of an official launch, Volkswagen Golf GTI has been spied in India without any camouflage. Let’s take a closer look.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Hot Hatch
This is the first time Volkswagen is bringing Golf to our shores. Albeit only in the performance-oriented GTI spec and via CBU route that extracts a much heavier toll where price tag is concerned. Speaking of, speculations suggest a price tag of around Rs 50 lakh for this performance-oriented hot hatch.
Because this is a performance-oriented product, we have to start with powertrain. Golf GTI will be powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder TSI Turbo Petrol engine that is capable of kicking out 265 bhp of peak power and 370 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG. This ensures a brisk acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
Top speed is capped at 250 km/h and the power is sent to front wheels are regulated by a special locking front differential for progressive steering. Users can regulate performance with driving modes like Sport, Comfort and Eco. Speaking of its performance credentials, Golf GTI gets an edgy dual exhaust setup.
What to expect?
Design-wise, Volkswagen Golf GTI is a Golf, but in a sporty avatar. The main highlights include a large grill with a honeycomb pattern, a sporty front bumper, and IQ.LIGHT Matrix LED headlights, multiple red accents, large 19-inch alloy wheels that go around large brakes and red callipers, illuminated VW logo and more.
On the inside, we get GTI badges, Red accents, Red stitching, a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment screen along with a Harman Kardon audio system, a 30-colour ambient lighting system, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats which we wish were cooled, Virtual Cockpit for instrumentation, head-up display and more.
There are no real competitors for VW Golf GTI hot hatch in India. At least at the expected price tag of around Rs 50 lakh (Ex-sh). However, it will have to compete with performance EVs like BYD Seal with similar prices.
