2014 VW GTI: Going Faster
The 2014 VW GTI also gains a massive injection of torque from its new 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4 engine, welcoming 258 lb.-ft. of torque (a jump of more than 50 lb.-ft.) and 217 hp (an increase of 17 horses over the 2013 model). But that’s just the starting point: Volkswagen will break new ground with its first available power upgrade for the GTI, too. It brings an added 10 hp or so, along with an electronic locking front differential to reduce torque steer, bigger front brakes for better stopping abilities, and a sport-tuned and lowered suspension setup to enhance handling.
Backed by these changes and more, the 2014 Volkswagen GTI is expected to be more than half a second quicker from 0-100 km/h than the current iteration, achieving that run in just 6.6 seconds without VW’s power pack and 6.5 seconds with. There’s also a slight variation in top speed for the next-gen GTI duo, with the standard version topping out at 152 mph and the upgraded model able to run to 155 mph.
A six-speed manual is the standard gearbox in both, with VW’s six-speed dual-clutch DSG unit also available, and each will feature an innovative variable-ratio steering system—with a new flat-bottomed racing-style wheel—that reduces steering effort at low speeds and enhances steering dynamics in more demanding driving scenarios.