When Volkswagen released their first GTI Golf they made a huge transition and transformed the way drivers saw their tiny cars. The first generation Golf carried a 1.6 liter, fuel-injected engine from the Audi 80 GT. It made 109 horsepower and 103 ft-lb-torque. Spriting from 0-60 mph in a flat nine seconds which is not great by today's standards but plenty enough for the time. Volkswagen was the first automaker to bring the hot hatch trend, and their Golf GTI is considered by many to be the “spiritual father of hot hatchery”. Thanks to the little Golf we now see all automakers have their performance badges, Toyota released a Yaris GR, we are well aware of the Focus RS and ST, Audi S line BMW M-packet, Honda Type R, and the list goes on.

2022 marks the 8th generation of Golf and this generation will bring a front-wheel-drive car like never before. Let's find out more about it.

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Subtle Performance Accents

2022-volkswagen-golf-gti-us-version-three-quarters-on-track
Via: netcarshow.com

The dope exterior of the new Golf features a redesigned front and rear end, especially for the GTI. The Mk8 Golf GTI will carry red-painted calipers and a red strip grill that blends into both headlights. Speaking of headlights, the MK8 Golf GTI will come standard with LED Matrix headlights and an aggressive front bumper, which also carries multi-fog beams.

The rear end also gets a new design. The GTI models come in a dual exhaust tip that roars as much as its rev limiter allows it to. The tailgate gets a red GTI badge, and 2 more red GTI badges can be found on each fender. The C pillar is still distinctive of the Golf shape and remains unchanged. But that’s not the only thing that is unchanged, unfortunately.

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Same 2.0L Turbocharged Engine, Different Body Style

2021-Volkswagen-Jetta-GLI-05
via Gabriel Vega | HotCars.com

The Golf GTI comes in a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine, which is the same engine used in the MK7 Golf. Volkswagen is using the same engine on the Golf R, making buyers more skeptical of buying the GTI. However, this engine supplies ample power to the front wheels and hits 0-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. The Mk8 Golf GTI produces 241 horsepower, 13 more compared to the Mk7 Golf and 273 lb-ft of torque.

The engine code used in the Golf 8 GTI is EA888. This turbocharged and direct-injection engine uses an innovative modification to the conventional four-stroke cycle to offer an improved combination of power, efficiency, and responsiveness. To kick things off, the EA888 can push fuel into the cylinder at a higher maximum pressure (250 bar or 3,626 psi). Volkswagen also tuned the combustion cycle, and they are now using the so-called Budack-cycle, which closes the intake valves much earlier. To keep things more simple this change creates an increase in fuel efficiency and torque.

All that power is transmitted to the front wheels, and this is where things get fun.

Related: Here’s What We Love About The 1980s Volkswagen Mk2 GTI

VAQ: Limited Slip Differential

Golf R torque vector (youtube)
via youtube

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI was the first front-wheel-drive car to carry a differential lock. Previously all GTI would suffer from torque steer because all that power had to be shared between unequal driveshafts. To better understand the huge improvement in driving dynamics thanks to the front locking differential, let’s talk about the differential.

The differential allows both wheels to be turned at different speeds, giving the car the ability to make tighter turns. This is where Volkswagen VAQ comes into play. VAQ stands for front axle crossbar and remains connected to the differential through a driveshaft and a hydraulic pump. Based on your driving conditions the VAQ module will detect whether or not to lock the driveshaft by its hydraulic pump, sending fluid into the clutch pack to lock it. The car will basically read all the inputs given by the driving conditions, things like the transaction control and ABS module will send signals to the VAQ system and therefore spin both wheels at different speeds. This all sounds complicated but to be put in perspective this means faster corners and quicker U-turns. The VAQ system will also help neutralize the torque steer and increase the car’s grip in launch control.

State Of The Art DSG Transmission

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Via: netcarshow.com

It is very important to point out that the Volkswagen Golf GTI will come in both manual and automatic transmission for the U.S market. We should point out that the manual will be more fun to drive and cheaper to maintain in the long run but the 7-speed DSG is where all the power is.

For reference, blinking your eyes will take 400 milliseconds, and shifting on the automatic GTI will take 8 milliseconds. That’s faster than humanly possible making the DSG the better option when it comes to getting up to speed. There is no clutching lag between gear when using a dual-clutch automatic transmission. This is how things are going in 2021 and surely that's why we see supercars always come in an automatic transmission.

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Adaptable Suspension And Dynamic Chassis Control

Volkswagen’s Dynamic Chassis Control
Via: wapcar.my

The 2022 Golf also features independent suspension on all four wheels. That means that the GTI will not get as unsettled as often when driving over uneven surfaces. To spice things up Volkswagen decided to add Dynamic Chassis Control which allows the car suspension to improve the performance of the car based on the driving dynamics, in real-time. Using multiple sensors to detect the G force the car is experiencing and the road surface that the GTI is running into it can adapt the damper valves for each wheel. Furthermore, the driver can decide to choose his driving profile selection (Comfort, Normal, and Sport).

Related: What Makes The Golf GTI A Great Project Car?

Best Feature Of The GTI

Golf GTI Autobahn Edition

In real life, the GTI is a good hatch that has good enough power but is not able to compete against cars like the A45 AMG or the BMW M2. It is a better comparison when we put it bumper to bumper against a Ford Focus RS or the Toyota Yaris GR. The best feature of the GTI is that it brings all the features of a daily driver's car and adds more power to that, something not all other competitors can match. Being a sports hatch doesn’t mean scratching off all the practicality and comfort cars are designed for. People drive these things to work, enjoy family trips and the Golf GTI is the perfect all-rounder for that.

The GTI is comfortable, stylish and depending on your taste the interior is not that bad. It brings sparkles of a luxury sedan and the comfort of a crossover to a family hatch. Realistically speaking this is what most people that buy the GTI are looking out for.