The New Golf GTI

Volkswagen's press release says "A car becomes an icon when its design, DNA and character remain recognisable for decades. It is also important for an icon to provide fresh ideas in order to cope with the challenges of our time, just like the Golf GTI.

"For 44 years, Volkswagen has been reinventing the icon of sporty, compact cars while retaining the original concept – generation after generation. The eighth reinterpretation of the Golf GTI is now celebrating its debut. Newly designed and engineered – fully digitalised and networked. A Golf GTI that is fit for the modern era."

It continues to say "The Innovision Cockpit extends upwards upon opening the doors in the Golf GTI, GTE and GTD. It is a fusion of the top-of-the range version 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit (digital instruments) and the 10-inch navigation system. The visual and functional blend of the two screens creates a new and consistent, digital architecture.

The three silver spokes have been retained – in the GTI, the interior of the central spoke has a red finish, while the GTE and GTD have blue and silver finishes respectively. The classic checked pattern of the sports seats is also retained. The new checked design is called Scalepaper - the seams of the grey and black design are red in the GTI."

The new Golf GTI is powered by a 245PS 2.0-Litre turbocharged injection engine. The maximum torque is 370NM. The four-cylinder engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox available as an option.

The announcement was due to take place at the Geneva Motor Show 2020, however due to the Corornavirus, the event was cancelled.