Fitter, Faster 2019 Golf GTI 180kW & LSD in, manual out! Your move, Hyundai i30 N.
Volkswagen’s evergreen hot hatch is evolving like a fine wine. In a move to keep fresher rivals like the Hyundai i30 N and Renault Megane RS on their toes, the MY19 Golf GTI scores a raft of mechanical and safety upgrades.
Now fitted as standard is the powertrain from the limited edition Golf GTI Performance Edition 1 three-door, including a 180kW/370Nm engine tune, seven-speed DSG, electronically-controlled mechanical LSD and larger brake rotors from the Golf R.
VW has also thrown in the Active Info digital dash, which replaces the standard analogue dials with a 12.3-inch TFT screen with customisable menus and the Driver Assistance Package, including adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, dynamic lights, lane assist, park assist and more.
It’s not all good news, however, as VW has discontinued the manual gearbox. DIY-shift lovers will have to act quickly to snap up one of the remaining three-door GTI Original or five-door GTIs still in dealer stock. As such, the GTI entry ticket rises to $45,490, a $1500 increase over the MY18 DSG-equipped GTI, a modest hike given the amount of added kit.
In other fast Golf news, VW has announced it’s changed the pricing of the R range from before on-road costs to drive away. This means a Golf R Grid manual can be had for $48,490 driveway, which amounts to one of the great automotive bargains. A regular R is now $54,490, add $1500 for DSG and $2000 for the wagon. – SN
Latest version of VW’s icon is loaded to the gills with extra equipment.
