Golf attack

VW SHOUTS ‘FOUR!’ AS IT PREPARES A MULTI-TIER HOT HATCH ASSAULT TO BLOW HYUNDAI N AND CIVIC TYPE R OUT OF THE WATER

- TOBY HAGON

VOLKSWAGEN is out to reclaim its hot hatch crown with a four-pronged assault that could include an electrified 300kW hyper hatch to take on the Mercedes-AMG A45. Facing stiff competition from newer rivals, such as the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R, VW is mounting a multi-tier approach for its refreshed performance hatch line-up.

Leading the charge is the all-new GTI which is set to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2021.

VW’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre remains the centrepiece under the bonnet of the new GTI, producing 180kW and 370Nm – the same outputs as the outgoing Mk7.5 GTI.

The main development for the Mk8 GTI is the introduction of VW’s Vehicle Dynamics Manager system, which controls the adaptive dampers and locking front differential, promising to provide a greater breadth of ability between its maximum comfort setting and full attack mode.

Yet to be shown officially but also due for a 2021 release is the 8th-gen Golf R, a circa-$60K flagship that will build on the GTI’s DNA.

Leaked internal documents show the hotly anticipated pinnacle of the line-up (at least in the short-term) is unlikely to shift away from a proven formula, instead stepping up outputs from the familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo to 245kW. At that level it will be the most powerful production Golf to date.

Drive will continue through all four wheels and the chassis will be appropriately tweaked to handle the extra punch, along with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) adaptive dampers.

Spy pics of the top-secret model testing in the Swedish snow show dual exhausts hanging from either side of the rear end.