Actually, Volkswagen's new Golf GTI child safety seat is unisex but we're sure you get our drift. To be produced in a limited series, VW's new toddler seat blends in perfectly with the Golf GTI's traditional plaid interior theme that's offered as standard equipment. Volkswagen says that the seat has been designed to accommodate children between the ages of three and twelve, just as long as they weigh in between 15 and 36kg (or 33 to 79lbs).
Once in a while, automakers and their marketing teams come up with up an idea that's actually quite cool. Such is the case with Volkswagen's "GTI Project", a new virtual slot car game that you can play online from the comfort of your office chair -just don't get caught. The Scalectric track that was constructed by a team of 60 modelers and features some 200 scale buildings is truly massive measuring 30ft by 25ft (9.1meters x 7.6meters) while the Golf GTI slot car itself is a 1:43 scale replica. Give it a try and remember to have a little perseverance around the corners...Play the Game Here: GTI Project
If the new Volkswagen Golf GTI's 210 horsepower turbocharged four pot isn't powerful enough for you, the tuners at Mcchip have readied a rather straightforward performance package that will be officially revealed at this week's Tuning World Bodensee in Germany. A quick ECU tune that has been priced at €849 (around US$1,150) adds another 42HP and 100Nm or 74lb-ft bringing the total output of the 2.0 TSI to 252HP and 380Nm or 280lb-ft of torque.In addition to the engine software upgrade, Mcchip's tuning proposal for the 2009 VW Golf GTI also includes a sport suspension kit from H&R that brings the hot hatch a few inches closer to the ground as well as beefier 19-inch alloy wheels in a black finish from OZ plus a set of 'racing-stripes' available in various colors.
The new Golf GTD is powered by 2.0-litre 4-cylinder common rail diesel engine, producing 170HP and a generous 258 lbs ft of torque channeled to the front-wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic DSG gearbox. The 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint is completed in of 8.1 seconds while the GTD achieves a top speed of 138mph or 222km/h returning an average of 53.3mpg UK (44.3mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 139g/km.
The GTD's standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a leather gearshift, tartan cloth interior, ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags.
New Golf GTD | Fuel economy, combined mpg UK | Price, £ (RRP OTR) |
2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6-spd manual 3dr | 53.3 | 21,850 |
2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6-spd manual 5dr | 53.3 | 22,435 |
2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6-spd DSG 3dr | 50.4 | 23,155 |
2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6-spd DSG 5dr | 50.4 | 23,740 |
SEAT has chosen next month's Barcelona International Motor Show (May 9-17) to pull the covers off the facelifted version of the Leon Cupra which is essentially the Spanish firm's VW Golf GTI. Like the rest of the 2009 Leon range that was revealed at the Geneva Show in March, the Cupra has received a series of minor cosmetic upgrades that include a new grille design that sports a smaller badge, larger headlights and new door mirrors. Look closely and you'll also spot a new tailgate design and tail light clusters.
The Cupra in particular also gets a newly styled front bumper with larger air-scoops at each corner and the word 'Cupra' printed on the left side. The sport hatch's looks are rounded off with a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels.
For the interior, aside from the tweaked instrument and center console designs which are common to the rest of the Leon range, the Cupra also features a three-spoke leather steering wheel with aluminum color inserts and a matching gearbox knob along with a set of sport bucket seats for the front passenger and driver. A new option for the 2009MY Leon Cupra is the black leather upholstery with white cross-stitching that you can check out in the photos below.
Underneath the bonnet, the 2009 Leon Cupra gets the same 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the previous version. Top speed is clocked at 247 km/h or 154mph, the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint takes 6.4 seconds while it covers the first 1,000m from standstill in 26.4 seconds. At the same time, average combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.3lt /100 km or 28.3mpg US.
While the rest of the world is getting ready to welcome the sixth-generation Golf GTI, in Singapore, Volkswagen has just released a souped-up, limited edition version of the outgoing model that has gained some grunt. Performance upgrades on the Golf GTI V50 (Mark V) include a 'Stage 1' ECU tuning and a new sport exhaust system that add 46 more horsepower and an extra 102Nm of torque for a total output of 246HP and 382Nm of peak torque.
Equipped with a 6-speed DSG, the fifth-generation GTI V50 goes from zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in just 5.6 seconds versus the standard GTI's 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 261 km/h or 162mph (basic GTI: 233 km/h or 145mph).
Additional upgrades include the larger brake discs and callipers derived from the Golf R32, the 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/40 R18 Pirelli P-Zero tires and a new bodykit complemented by a two-tone black and white paint job which we could have done without.
The good news for GTI fans is that the limited edition Golf GTI V50 comes with a full factory warranty. The bad news is that it will be available only in Singapore.
Via: Autoblog.com
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Interior equipment
– "Climatronic" air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control and dust and pollen flter
– Aluminium and leather gearshift handle
– Backrest split foldable 1 ⁄3 to 2 ⁄3 including load through provision and centre armrest
– Front centre armrest with storage box and 2 rear cup holders
– Front and rear carpet mats
– Lockable glove compartment with cooling
– Illuminated vanity mirrors in sun visors
– Automatically dimming interior mirror
– Leather upholstery in "Vienna" on sport seats with height adjustment (heated)
– Luggage compartment cover with net
– Leather-covered multi-function steering wheel with decorative aluminium inserts and gearshift paddles
– Multi-function display "Plus"
– Front and rear power windows
– Radio remote controlled central locking with 2 folding keys
– "RCD 500" with in-dash 6 CD changer, 10 speakers
– Space and weight saving spare wheel
– Storage pockets on front seat backrests and additional storage compartment in roof console
– Cruise control
– Drawers under driver seat
– 2 front reading lights with chrome trim and 2 rear reading lights
– 12-volt socket in luggage compartment
Exterior equipment
– Volkswagen "Pirelli" 18 inch alloy rims with 225/40 tyres "P Zero"
– Automatic low beam mode with "Coming Home" and "Leaving Home" function
– Bi-xenon headlights for low beam and high beam
– Electric tilt sunroof
– Electrically adjustable and foldable outer mirror, separately heated and automatically dimming on driver's side including curb view on passenger side
– Front and rear bumpers in sports design, body-coloured rear spoiler
– Front fog lights
– Heat-insulating blue tinted glass
– Metallic paint
– Rear window wiper and washer system with intermittent control
– White side turn signal lights
– Sport suspension lowered by approximately 15mm
– Wheel locks
Safety equipment
– 3-point seat belts for all passenger seats
– Front seat belts with height adjustment and seat belt tensioner
– Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
– Comfort brake assistant, ABS, ASR and EDL
– Curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front
– Driver and front passenger airbag
– Front passenger airbag deactivation
– Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
– Front and rear disc brakes (front ventilated)
– ISOFIX child seat preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
– Driver and front passenger active head restraints
– Power-assisted steering, speed sensitive
– Electronic vehicle immobilization device
– Extended pedestrian protection measures
– Warning buzzer and warning light for front seat belts not fastened
– Flat tyre indicator
– Rain sensor
Performance Upgrades
– Volkswagen Performance Stage 1 ECU Tuning to 246hp
– Volkswagen Performance R32 front and rear brake discs and calipers
– Volkswagen Performance Exhaust
– Volkswagen Performance Body Kit
– Volkswagen "Pirelli" 18 inch alloy rims with 225/40 tires "P Zero"
This is Volkswagen's first commercial for the brand-new, sixth-generation Golf GTI that just went on sale across Europe (North American sales will commence this summer). Shot at a port location in Long Beach, California, the German advert shows a driver fooling around with the Golf GTI. At the end of the video, the young passenger who appears to be the driver's son, asks for the keys only to be shunned. The video ends with the ticker "Nur fur Fortgeschrittene" which translates to only for advanced (drivers).
Today Volkswagen announced it is recalling 5,000 MY2008 R32s (that's the fifth-generation Golf R32 for the rest of the world) in the USA due to a defective fuel tank ventilation valve. The German automaker said that when certain driving conditions are accompanied by high ambient temperatures, the valve may not remain fully closed. As well as causing performance issues (i.e., vehicle jerking), the problematic valve may lead to a fuel may leak, which as you all know, could result to a vehicle fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Volkswagen said that its dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2009, but for more information, owners can contact Volkswagen directly at 1-800-822-8987.
If you didn't fancy VW's official promotional video of the new Golf GTI that much, here's an independent film that was (apparently) shot during the media presentation of the car in St. Tropez in France. Word of advice to the producers of the video; while we have no problem with the music overlay in the beginning of the film, we would have preferred to hear the sound of the GTI's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine unadulterated during the test drive.Kudos to Maxime for the tip!
As expected, along with the commercial debut of the new, sixth-generation Golf GTI, Volkswagen also went ahead and launched a new line of lifestyle accessories dedicated to its hot hatch. For the time being, the range is limited to baby caps, a women's hat, a messenger bag and our personal favorite, 'Mud Flap' baby bibs with the GTI logo, but expect to see Volkswagen rolling out more GTI accessories in the forthcoming months.
These are the first official photos of the new VW Golf GTD that was unveiled today at the 2009 AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany. As its nametag suggests, the GTD is the new Golf GTI's diesel counterpart and it is aimed at those who wouldn't mind trading off some dynamics for a thriftier ride. The GTD is powered by a 2.0-liter TDI common-rail turbodiesel producing 170HP at 4,200 rpm and most importantly, 350Nm or 258lbs of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. That's compared to the GTI's 210HP at 5,300 - 6,200 rpm and 280Nm or 207lbs between 1,700 and 5,200 rpm.
Like the GTI, the front-wheel drive Golf GTD will also offer, in addition to the 6-speed manual gearbox, an optional 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. With the standard gearbox, the GTD accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 sec (DSG: 8.1 sec) and reached a top sped of 222km/h or 138mph (DSG: 220 km/h or 137mph). The corresponding figures for the GTI with a 6-speed manual gearbox are 6.9 sec for the sprint to 100km/h and 240km/h or 149mpg top speed.
On average, the Golf GTD consumes 5.3lt of diesel per 100km or 44.3mpg US, which is significantly better than the GTI's 7.3 lt / 100km or 32.2mpg. Theoretically, the GTD can cover a distance of about 1,000 kilometers or 622 miles on one tank of fuel (55 liters).
The GTD come equipped with a sport suspension and 17-inch alloy "Seattle" wheels while the sportiest diesel-powered Golf borrows the designs of the front bumper, the radiator grille and the headlights of those on the GTI. However, the typical horizontal red strips in the GTI's grille are chromed on the GTD.
Inside, the GTD boasts sport seats in black and white plaid as well as a three-spoke steering wheel flattened along the bottom edge, a brake handle with a leather gaiter and light-grey seams and a black moulded headliner.
In Germany, the base price for the GTD which will be available in three- and five-door variants is €27,470 or with the current exchange rates, $US37,400.
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