The 2013 Geneva auto show has turned out to be Volkswagen’s venue of choice for debuting its latest sporty Golf-based models. First, the German automaker introduced the GTD diesel based on the new, seventh-generation Golf hatchback, and now it is pulling the wraps off of the newest GTI. The hottest Golf—at least until the next R model makes an appearance—goes on sale in Europe this spring, but we’ll have to wait an agonizing extra year for it to arrive here in the States.

Since we have to wait, allow us to help pass the time by revisiting the reasons why any new GTI is a big deal. The GTI nameplate was first applied to a skunkworks Golf project car drummed up after hours by some Volkswagen engineers in the mid-1970s. Management liked it enough to put it into production, and the intervening 30-odd years saw the GTI become a bona-fide enthusiast-car icon. The current-generation model is a favorite among C/D staffers, having earned numerous 10Best Cars awards, including for 2013. The sixth-gen car is so good, in fact, that even in the sunset of its product cycle, it only narrowly lost to another 10Bester, the Ford Focus ST, in a recent comparison test.

View Photos MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

Mo’ MQB, Mo’ Power

Based as it is on the 2015 Golf, the latest GTI rides on Volkswagen’s all-new, MQB front-drive architecture and adopts the Golf’s basic styling. We’ll avoid delving too deeply into a cosmetic analysis, and simply say that the GTI looks good, neatly creased sheetmetal and sleek-yet-aggressive details nicely updating the GTI’s look. And nothing about the exterior is particularly surprising—the production GTI looks pretty much identical to the “concept” version VW showed last year in Paris.

The GTI still is set apart from standard Golfs by a more aggressive body kit with large front intakes and a rear diffuser, a rear spoiler, smoked taillight covers, red brake calipers, a squattier sport suspension, and dual exhaust outlets. Relative to the outgoing model, the new GTI sees the extension of the red grille accent stripe to the ends of each headlight and new “Brooklyn” design 17-inch aluminum wheels. The cabin is a familiar composition consisting of a chunky, flat-bottom steering wheel, stainless-steel pedals, a black headliner, cloth sport seats with a “Clark” plaid pattern (which looks a lot like last year’s “Jacky” design), unique instrumentation and trim, and a GTI-specific shift knob.

One of the GTI’s biggest upgrades is applied under its hood—in Europe, the turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder now puts out 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Before you start licking your chops over those figures, which mark increases of 20 horsepower and 51 lb-ft of torque over the current, U.S.-spec GTI, know that the GTI we get here will be less endowed. Final output figures for our market are forthcoming, but VW predicts the 2015 GTI will come equipped with around 210 horsepower and the same 258 lb-ft of torque as the Euro model. On the upside, weight savings inherent in the switch to MQB bones will help performance, however, and the 10 missing ponies shouldn’t be terribly missed.

View Photos MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

For the first time, Volkswagen will offer GTI buyers an optional performance package that will increase output to 230 horsepower, replace the stock electronic XDS limited-slip-faking system with a real mechanical limited-slip, and bring bigger brakes with 13.4-inch front rotors and 12.2-inch vented rears. (Stock rotor sizes are 12.3 and 11.8 inches, and the rear discs are solid.) That package's availability, as well as a summer-tire option, outside of Europe hasn't been announced yet.

On paper, the GTI now is better positioned against fresh hot-hatch competitors like the 252-hp Focus ST. The same two transmissions, a six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, again are available. Volkswagen claims the latest GTI will sprint from 0–62 mph in 6.5 seconds—a number we think is awfully conservative considering the last current-gen car we tested did the deed in 6.4—and gallop to a top speed of 153 mph.

Three Letters, Even Fewer Choices

Volkswagen isn’t giving GTI buyers many choices when it comes to filling out the car’s option boxes, at least in Europe. The hatchback will be available in three- and five-door body styles and with just three colors—Tornado Red, Black, and Pure White. It will come pretty well equipped right out of the gate, however, with automatic climate control, park assist, VW’s new touch-screen modular infotainment system, and a winter package with heated front seats all standard. A new variable-ratio electric power steering system also is part of the deal, which may not be such a bad thing considering we described the gen-six GTI’s steering as feeling “disinterested” when compared to the Focus ST’s. The only options will be the aforementioned performance pack, and likely the leather, navigation, and sunroof bundles VW has offered with the GTI in the past.

MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

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