Volkswagen Korea has officially launched the 8th generation model of the Golf GTI, known globally as the definitive hot hatch and a true performance icon, starting today with full customer deliveries.
The Golf GTI, first launched in 1976, is a landmark model that popularized compact sports cars at an affordable price and carved out the new “hot hatch” segment, becoming a symbol in the automotive world.
After considerable evolution and innovation, the 8th generation Golf GTI being released in South Korea delivers the best dynamic driving performance available in a compact car, thanks to its turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine and evolved drivetrain system.
Sasha Asgitan, CEO of Volkswagen Korea, stated, “The new Golf GTI offers domestic consumers a unique opportunity to experience a new level of driving dynamics with its heritage-inspired design, innovative technology, and the distinctive driving emotion GTI is known for. It is set to re-establish itself as a leading model in the domestic compact sports car market with outstanding product quality and a reasonable purchase price.”
The performance know-how and technology accumulated from the first generation of Golf GTI have not only fostered a global GTI fandom but have also spread the joy of driving to a wider audience, solidifying its standing as a true performance icon.
The newly updated Golf GTI, equipped with the most advanced EA888 evo4 2.0 TSI high-performance turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine, showcases a powerful performance output of 245 horsepower and 37.8 kg.m of torque. Coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission optimized for sporty driving, it provides a dynamic driving pleasure to the driver. The official fuel efficiency rating for the new Golf GTI is 11.5 km per liter combined, 10.1 km per liter in urban areas, and 13.9 km per liter on the highway.
The new Golf GTI integrates a “Dynamic Chassis Control System,” which manages electronic driving stability control, adaptive chassis control, and electronically controlled hydraulic front differential lock.
This allows the new Golf GTI to maintain neutral handling without losing grip as it exits corners, overcoming the typical understeer associated with front-wheel-drive vehicles at high speeds. The adaptive chassis control settings, coupled with the driving profile selection feature, enable precise and agile vehicle control while ensuring comfortable long-distance driving.
The new Golf GTI also features “Progressive Steering,” which combines a variable steering rack and a powerful electric motor for more intuitive steering. This enhances vehicle control, raising the performance level to new heights.
The design of the new Golf GTI is sportified with slick lines, embodying GTI’s inherent DNA.
The front showcases a distinctive “honeycomb-style grille air intake,” a “GTI-exclusive red strip” that highlights the model’s uniqueness, along with “GTI red chrome lettering” that emphasizes the Golf GTI’s presence. The new Golf GTI’s LED headlight integrates with the LED light strip extending from the radiator grille to the VW badge, creating an impressive lighting signature unique to Volkswagen.
Moreover, the front black spoiler, black side sills, and GTI-exclusive red brake calipers combined with 19-inch Adelaide alloy wheels further accentuate the sporty essence of the GTI.
The rear end features a black rear diffuser and chrome twin tailpipes positioned on either side, adding a dynamic impression.
Exterior color options include Kings Red Metallic, Pure White, Dolphin Grey Metallic, Atlantic Blue Metallic, and Deep Black Pearl Effect, totaling five color choices.
The interior of the new Golf GTI evokes the sporty essence unique to GTI while offering a more digitized user experience. Premium sports seats in Vienna leather with tornado red line accents, GTI badges on the steering wheel, black metal chrome decorative trim, and a pulsating red engine start button exude GTI’s sporty charm.
The 10.25-inch high-resolution digital cockpit, ‘Digital Cockpit Pro’ displays essential information such as driver assistance systems, speed, and fuel gauge, along with GTI-specific graphics, performance indicators like momentary power and engine boost pressure, and a lap timer for sports driving.
The 10-inch ‘MIB3 Discover Pro’ features Korean navigation and voice control, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and supports smartphone wireless charging. Additionally, the ‘Windshield Head-Up Display’ and an intuitive ‘Touch Control Lighting Panel’ enhance driver convenience.
Other abundant comfort features include front ventilated seats, heated front and rear seats, a touch-type leather multifunction sports steering wheel with heat and paddle shift functions, 3-zone Climatronic automatic air conditioning, a rear temperature control panel, and ambient lighting with 30 color options.
With each generation achieving groundbreaking evolution, the 8th generation Golf GTI applies Volkswagen’s innovative technology to provide enhanced value and product experience.
The new Golf GTI is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems known as ‘IQ.Drive’ for a comfortable and safe driving environment. One of the core technologies of IQ.Drive is the ‘Travel Assist’ that actively assists driving from speeds of zero to 210 km/h with a simple button press. ‘Travel Assist’ integrates adaptive cruise control, lane assist, side assist, and is operated using front cameras, front/rear radar sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.
Moreover, various driver assistance systems are integrated, including ‘Front Assist with Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking’, ‘Proactive Occupant Protection System’, ‘Pedestrian Protection System’, ‘Rear Traffic Alert and Exit Warning System’, ‘Park Pilot’, ‘Rear Camera’, and an intelligent parking assistance system known as ‘Park Assist’ greatly enhancing driving convenience.
The new Golf GTI features cutting-edge interactive lighting technology, the ‘IQ.Light-LED Matrix Headlamps’—one of the most advanced automotive lighting technologies available.
LEDs arranged in the left and right headlight matrix modules illuminate the road ahead by taking into account the front camera, GPS signals, steering angles, vehicle speed, and more to cast a light optimized for driving conditions, enhancing nighttime visibility without impairing the vision of other drivers.
In addition, it features ‘Dynamic Light Assist’ that automatically activates optimal lighting based on different driving situations, and ‘Dynamic Cornering Lights’ that illuminate headlight pathways based on vehicle direction during turns, complemented by front and rear ‘Dynamic Turn Signals’ that further enhance the Golf’s presence.
The price of the new Golf GTI is 45,093,000 KRW (including a 3.5% reduction in the acquisition tax and VAT). Additionally, it offers a ‘5-year/150,000 km warranty extension program’ and ‘Accident Repair Total Care Service’ supporting deductible costs up to five times when repairing insured vehicles at official service centers (limit of 500,000 KRW per accident, no limits for the first year, no mileage restrictions), reducing maintenance and servicing expenses.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr