The 7th Generation.. It's Coming.

European Spec at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

The highly anticipated 7th generation GTI will finally be arriving in the States.. Next year. Although there’s much hype for how great the new GTI’s will be, let’s take a moment to compare with the current generation 2014 GTI. 

The 2014 GTI will be the last of the Wolfsburg produced models to reach this side of the Atlantic. The 7th generation Golf and GTI’s will be built in Puebla, Mexico for North and South American distribution. The 2014 GTI will keep it’s 2nd generation 2.0L T engine that pumps out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The 7th gen. GTI will receive the new 3rd gen. 2.0L T EA888 engine that will be built in Volkswagen’s new engine facility in Silao, Mexico. However, the valve-life module that is unique for this engine will be built in Germany, then installed in the engine in Silao. This new engine for the GTI is estimated to have 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is quite a bump from it's predecessor. 

With a new engine also comes a new body. For starters, it will sit on Volkswagen’s newest MQB platform. MQB stands for Modularer Querbaukasten, and for those of you not fluent in German, it basically means that the engines are transversely mounted. This new platform will be eventually put in for all front wheel drive vehicles in the family, hopefully making production more efficient. This is just one of the big strides Volkswagen Group is taking to become the number one manufacturer in the world by 2018. The body is also bigger, has sleeker lines, and European spec weigh in at 220 lbs less than the current generation. Less weight and more power? Yes, please.

However, those of you who still love the current body style, or just cannot wait till late Spring for a 2015, the 2014 GTI Driver’s Edition and Wolfburg Edition may be the perfect 6th generation to buy. Why are these such smart values? Because both trims are as if the Volkswagen took a look at their accessories bin for the GTI, and decided to throw them into a package. With the Wolfsburg starting at $25,095 MSRP and the Driver’s Edition at $29,695 MSRP, here are some goodies you can expect to receive in these models:

Wolfsburg Edition:
In addition to standard GTI Trim..

• 18 inch “Laguna” wheels
• Retro-themed golf ball shifter knob
• Red-stitched carpeted florets

Driver’s Edition:

In addition to Sunroof & Nav Trim..

• 18 inch aluminum-alloy “Laguna” wheels
• Retro-themed golf ball shifter knob
• Red-stitched carpeted floormats
• Partial leather seat coverings
• Driver Edition Certificate of Authenticity with GTI gear including a hat, keychain, and parking sign

All 2014’s will come as 4 door models, and be available in Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, and Deep Black. This last run is a limited production, and will only have 5,000 GTI’s total for North America. In addition, the last 475 Wolfsburg Editions will be outfitted with leather top sport seats because Volkswagen literally ran out of cloth seats. Winning!

So the choice is yours.. Buy one of the last beloved GTI’s out of Wolfsburg now, or wait till next year for the newest 7th generation. I don’t think I can even choose! Tweet us what you think @stohlmanauto. Until next time!



Esther Cho
VW Product Specialist
@esther_ch5