The next generation Volkswagen Golf GTI has been caught on camera in Europe, and a dealer presentation has laid bare the new model range.

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The next generation Volkswagen Golf GTI has broken cover, with a photo of its rear end posted on Instagram by photographer @wilcoblok overnight. While the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI is not due to be unveiled until the Geneva motor show in March, another Instgram post has shown what appears to be a dealer presentation of the new line-up. The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI range will be available with two power outputs: 180kW for the standard model and 221kW for the GTI TCR which is believed to be the new name for the Performance Pack. The 2021 Volkswagen Golf R also looks like it gets a power bump to 245kW from its 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder (up from the current 213kW).

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the next generation Golf GTI will carry over the 180kW engine from the current model, though it was upgraded three years ago from its previous output of 162kW. The 221kW VW Golf GTI TCR has not been confirmed for Australia but nor has it been ruled out. The diesel-powered GTD and plug-in hybrid GTE also shown on the dealer presentation are not likely for Australia as the brand plans to skip directly to pure electric power for its “eco” range in Australia. The limited changes under the bonnet for the regular VW Golf GTI will likely clear the way for an earlier introduction of the new model.

The regular line-up in the new 2021 VW Golf range is due by the end of this year and Volkswagen Australia says it is hoping to introduce the GTI alongside it. “It’s our intention to get the Mark 8 Golf here by the end of this year (and) it’s always been our intention to launch the GTI at the same time,” said Volkswagen Australia spokesman Paul Pottinger. The early arrival of the 2021 VW Golf GTI is contingent on initial demand in Europe and Australia’s ability to secure production slots out of the Wolfsburg factory. The Golf GTI TCR and the full-blown Golf R would likely be introduced at a later date. If history is a guide they would arrive about 12 months after the regular VW Golf GTI.

In the meantime, Volkswagen is expected to to offer sharp deals on the runout Golf GTI, which currently starts from $48,490 drive-way with auto. It has previously limboed to less than $45,000 in the traffic. The current generation VW Golf R starts from $55,490 drive-away, a saving of about $2500 off the full price. The Golf R wagon (one of the few wagons available in the performance segment) costs from $58,990 drive-away. The current generation Golf GTI and Golf R accounted for 25 per cent of all Golf sales in Australia last year, according to figures supplied by Volkswagen Australia. The biggest surprise: the Golf R outsold the Golf GTI (14 per cent and 11 per cent of all Golf sales respectively).