Volkswagen axes Golf GTI three-door
BY MIKE COSTELLO | 19th Sep 2013
The German brand’s local arm took to social media this week to announce the move to cut its popular hot hatch range to a five-door only proposition when the Mk7 version hits town.
It is understand only a tiny fraction of previous-generation Golf sales in Australia were of the three-door version. The company has previously dropped the three-door version of the more potent, AWD Golf R so as not to intrude on sales of its Golf-based Scirocco coupe launched last year.
The lighter and faster seventh-generation GTI launched globally in March this year. It will be a crucial addition to Australia, since the previous version was disproportionately popular Down Under, comprising about 20 per cent of all Golf sales – a figure far beyond those in Europe.
Power for ‘entry’ versions comes from the Audi A3’s 162kW/350Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre engine – up 5kW and 70Nm on the current Mk6 GTI – that reduces the 0-100km/h time by 0.4 seconds to 6.5s.
Peak power arrives at 4500 rpm and carries through to 6300rpm, while maximum torque rides a fat rev band to be on tap between 1500 and 4400rpm.
Intriguingly, overseas buyers can also order an optional performance package, which brings power output up to 169kW – cutting a further 0.1s from the standing sprint time – and adds a new front differential lock that counters understeer. Australia is expected to get this option too.
Power is sent through the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or VW’s latest six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.
While the punchy new turbo brings the speed, 312mm front and 300mm rear ventilated disc brakes bring a halt. The performance pack adds larger 340mm/310mm discs.
The sprint time won’t be the only thing reduced, with fuel consumption down to 6.0 litres per 100km in manual form – 18 per cent less than the current sixth-generation GTI – thanks to fuel-saving technology like idle-stop.
DSG versions will consume a claimed 6.4L/100km in regular guise or 6.5L/100km with the performance pack fitted.
Like the garden-variety Golf, the GTI version will be based on the innovative high-strength and lightweight MQB modular platform shared with the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia, to name but a fraction.
Inside, the old mechanical parking brake has been ditched in favour of a space-saving, switch-operated electric unit. But in a nod to the familiar, the signature black, white and red tartan seat trim, flat-bottomed steering wheel, chronograph dials and red-stitched steering wheel all remain.
