2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI: What's New

Vehicle Overview

What it is: The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a high-performance sibling of the Golf. It comes as a two- or four-door hatchback and has room for five people. Competitors include the Ford Focus ST, Subaru WRX and Mini Cooper S.
What’s Special

• 210-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
• Thin honeycomb grille with red stripe
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual tailpipes 
• Plaid cloth upholstery; leather available
• Performance Package raises engine output to 220 hp and includes larger brakes and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential
• Available adaptive suspension

Here’s Info on the Regular Golf:
What it is: The Volkswagen Golf is available as a two- or four-door hatchback, or as a wagon. Power comes from a gas four-cylinder engine and the five-seat Golf competes with the Mazda3 hatchback, Hyundai Elantra GT and Mini Cooper. Volkswagen’s performance-oriented Golf GTI and Golf R are related, as is the e-Golf electric car.

(Skip to details on the Golf R, e-Golf)
New for 2017
A Wolfsburg Edition trim level joins the lineup above the S trim. It features a moonroof, simulated leather upholstery, keyless access with push-button start, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 16-inch aluminum wheels, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, and Wolfsburg Edition badges and floormats.

Meanwhile, the S trim level of the Golf SportWagen is now available with all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models can have a manual or automatic transmission.
Significant Standard Features

• 170-hp, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Front-wheel drive
• Heated side mirrors
• Split-folding rear seat with pass-through
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• Air conditioning
• Touch-screen stereo with iPod connectivity
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

• Six-speed automatic
• All-wheel drive (Golf SportWagen)
• Heated front seats
• Fender premium stereo
• Navigation system
• Keyless access with push-button start
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Power moonroof

Golf R
The Golf R is a range-topping performance hatchback based on the Golf and Golf GTI. It competes with the Subaru WRX STi and Ford Focus RS and employs all-wheel drive — a key difference from the front-drive Golf GTI. Drivers can choose a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
What’s Special

• 292-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
• Xenon headlights with horseshoe-style LED daytime running lights
• Quad exhaust pipes
• Available adaptive suspension
• Available 19-inch alloy wheels

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e-Golf
Volkswagen joined the growing list of automakers offering all-electric cars with the debut of the e-Golf for the 2015 model year. Based on the Golf four-door hatchback, the e-Golf has an EPA-estimated range of 83 miles.
What’s Special

• Unique grille with blue accents
• Touch-screen that offers a deeper look at the electric powertrain’s operation
• 115-hp electric motor
• Lithium-ion battery pack that’s located in the floor under the seats
• Available 7.2-kilowatt onboard charger can replenish the battery in less than four hours
• Three regenerative braking programs

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