Ordering has opened for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI and plug-in hybrid GTE range, with prices starting from £33,460.
The eighth generation Golf GTI launches with 245hp from its 2.0-litre turbo engine.
The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual: a seven-speed DSG costs £34,960.
In DSG guise, the new Golf GTI accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds (the manual is a little slower), and both have a 155mph top speed.
The Golf GTI DSG is also slightly more fuel-efficient, averaging between 37.2-38.2mpg; the manual returns 36.7-38.2mpg. Both have a sub-170g/km CO2 figure in base guise.
What’s special about the Golf GTI? At the front, an illuminated grille strip, plus honeycomb LED fog lights and a set of 18-inch alloys.
The Golf GTI gets custom front and rear bumpers, twin chrome tail pipes, roof spoiler and smoked rear lights.
It has a sport steering wheel, aluminium gearshifter and sports seats with the traditional Golf GTI Jacara check cloth.
2021 Golf GTE
For those who want a more eco-friendly hot hatch, Volkswagen has also opened ordering for the new 2021 Golf GTE PHEV.
It produces the same 245hp output as the GTE – from a plug-in hybrid drivetrain comprising a 150hp 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and a 110hp electric motor.
The 13kWh battery gives enough charge for 32 miles’ electric driving.
The GTE accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and, more significantly, returns 176.6mpg on the official WLTP combined cycle.
CO2 emissions are just 36g/km.
The GTE, which comes as standard with a six-speed DSG transmission, costs from £35,960.
Instead of the GTI’s red styling theme, the GTE has blue accents for the exterior and interior Jacara check cloth.
The wheels shrink to a more eco-friendly 17-inches and the tailpipes are hidden from view.
Volkswagen also gives two charging cables to Golf GTE buyers: a regular mains charging cable and a 16 am AC cable for wallboxes: the latter will charge at 3.6kW from flat to full in three hours 40 minutes.
A Volkswagen spokesperson told Motoring Research deliveries of the Golf GTI DSG begin in October, and November for the manual.
Golf GTE deliveries begin in early October.
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