Bring on the 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen single-handedly created a new automotive niche when it introduced the first-generation Golf GTI back in 1976. The term “hot hatch” was first coined to describe performance versions of hatchback economy cars, which increased in popularity during the 1980s with cars like the GTI and Honda CRX leading the way. Volkswagen has already announced that its sixth-generation Golf MkV will be coming to the U.S. this fall as the 2010 Volkswagen Rabbit, but the performance-tuned 2010 GTI will debut a couple months earlier some this summer. The all-new GTI MkVI gets a much more aggressive design than the outgoing model, but keeps the turbocharged and direct-injected engine now with a slight bump in engine output. One thing that probably won’t change much, if at all, is the starting MSRP. While the pricing for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI has yet to be announced in North America, it probably won’t vary too much from the 2009 model’s starting price of $23,230 for the three-door and $23,830 for the five-door.

Compared to the current GTI, the 2010 model has much sharper styling and loses the large, chrome grille that was seemingly inspired by Audi. The new design gives the GTI, and the Rabbit, a look that is more recognizable among Volkswagen vehicles such as the VW Touareg and the European-only (unfortunately) VW Scirocco. Although the new look is much more aggressive, the 2010 model retains most of the current car’s stylish profile including the thick C-pillar with an upswept beltline especially that of the three-door model. Like the GTI MkV, the 2010 will be easily distinguishable from lesser Rabbit models thanks to subtle, yet effective, red striping around the grille and unique five-blade wheels exclusive to the GTI. Inside, the 2010 VW GTI uses familiar aspects of the current model such as plaid seat inserts, a flat-bottomed, sport steering wheel and “GTI” embroidered headrests.

Under the hood, the GTI’s recipe hasn’t changed much over the years and the 2010 model doesn’t mess with success. The 2010 GTI uses VW’s turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injected inline-4, which replaces the Rabbit’s 2.5-liter inline-5, and it’s expected to put out about 210 horsepower (10 hp more than the 2009 VW GTI and 40 more than a base 2010 Rabbit). The new GTI will retain its front-wheel drive layout using either a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment and VW’s six-speed automatic DSG® with Tiptronic® as an option. Volkswagen claims that the 2010 GTI will run from 0-60 miles per hour in just 6.9 seconds, has a top speed of 149 mph and should close to the current model’s fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Like the limited-production R32, the GTI could also pave the way for a future R model with the possibility of a 270-horsepower R20 being rumored currently.

There is also speculation that a diesel-powered GTI variant will be introduced sometime this year, which could possibly be called either the Rabbit GTD or just simply the GTD. It is still uncertain whether or not this high performance diesel Rabbit will make it to the U.S., but with the same torque-happy, fuel-efficient diesel engine used in the Jetta TDI, this car could be even more fun to drive with better fuel economy than its sedan counterpart – if that’s even possible.