2013 Volkswagen Golf VII GTI concept revealed

[jamie@vwvortex]

Jamie, please talk to us about this steering wheel. It seems to have received an overwhelmingly negative response.

I'm not sure why there is so much negativity. I sat in the car and thought it felt nice and wasn't a major downgrade. Yes, looking at photos I can see that it appears to be a little less aggressive than the Golf 6 GTI steering wheel. Maybe VW is looking to differentiate the Golf R version a bit more?

Either way the buttons are quality, the wheel felt nice and the details look good.

-jamie

[John Y]

I'm not sure why there is so much negativity. I sat in the car and thought it felt nice and wasn't a major downgrade. Yes, looking at photos I can see that it appears to be a little less aggressive than the Golf 6 GTI steering wheel. Maybe VW is looking to differentiate the Golf R version a bit more?

Either way the buttons are quality, the wheel felt nice and the details look good.

-jamie

Clearly, GTI steering wheel design reached it's zenith with the A6 and we now all have to adjust to the cold, hard reality of this school bus wheel . Doesn't look bad to me - I'll miss the perforated leather a bit, and the button pads seem as though they may be overloaded, but I can't tell until I hold the thing. I'm a little concerned that it looks larger in diameter than the 6? Oh well. I like the center pad and the bottom metal spoke, though.

More importantly, do you know when you'll be driving the thing? Will they be doing a south of France press intro again, figure in February or March?

[Yak Meat]

I like a ton of the car, but that silly headlight stripe is killing me... What the heck is that...

Overall, The only problem still looming in this chassis since day 1 is the engine placement. Its too far forward still. Its a typical Audi/VW issue but you'd think they would have dont something about it...

Lastly, the next r is supposed to get 280hp... still not 300 and still will be far behind its next competitors because I am assuming the next evo and sti will have more then 300hp... but its going to be much lighter than the current gen...

[Snaeper]

My very initial reaction to the red stripe through the headlights was "Ugh!" but the more I see it, the more I like it. It's very unique and really gives the whole car a special aspect that sets it apart from others.

I'm also a huge fan of the steering wheel, I'm also a huge fan of the MkVI steering wheel... I think this one looks better than the 6 in my humble opinion.

In the event that there isn't a business case made for the Power-Pack GTI in the States (Which I hope there IS!!!) I would implore VWoA to at least try to make the LSD as standard equipment on the 217hp model. Let the enthusiasts handle the bigger brakes and more power.

[SPM_GTI]

Lastly, the next r is supposed to get 280hp... still not 300 and still will be far behind its next competitors because I am assuming the next evo and sti will have more then 300hp... but its going to be much lighter than the current gen...

Mitsubishi is dead man walking, and the EVO is supposedly ending production. But from what little I have read, the next gen is 350hp with a curb weight of 3300 lbs.

The STI currently sports 305hp with a curb weight of over 3400 lbs.

If the Golf R shaves 200lbs, its sitting at around 3100lbs?

with a couple mods, and looking at the current Golf R APR flash numbers..... 340hp in a 3100lb car sounds like the gap is closing?

[SHIPARCH]

I really doubt we'll get both power model GTI's in the US. I hope we get the upgraded model but we'll probably get the 217 HP version. Hopefully we also get the LSD.

[Nuieve]

I hope the stripe stays - I'm loving it!

[R32ManiaK]

I really doubt we'll get both power model GTI's in the US. I hope we get the upgraded model but we'll probably get the 217 HP version. Hopefully we also get the LSD.

This.

We always get stiffed and miss out on the good stuff, if we dont get the 227hp version, i hope we at last get the lsd.

[GTIMJM]

So, I'm not feelin the red stripe in the headlights at all. I don't mind if the line gets carried through in some manner but, just not in red. Other than that, I think it's going to be a great update and can't wait to see one in person! Oh, and the lower front bumper that others are mentioning... The slats make me think of an 80's Ferrari and yes more paint would help. I think I saw an image that had it and it did look better. That's it. Go VW!

[euro_verrückt]

I bet the e-ebrake won't make it to the US, but VWoA might leave it in to spite us.

Hopefully it only comes on the DSG model

[Form Ocean]

I'm not enthused about the full-width red stripe, but if I imagine the red only in the headlights and not in the center grille, I think it could work. I would cover the red on the center grille with black vinyl since that's easier than dealing with the stripe embedded in the headlight housing.

[Form Ocean]

The rim and spokes of the steering wheel are fine, but they could have done something much better with the airbag cover. Reminds me of the current Jeep steering wheels.

[TurboMan007]

Can't wait for this to come out. I hope we get that huge nav screen....

[Belox]

think it's the airbag cover that bugs me the most

[Daveberg]

Nice car, I would have it
Here is some info about GTI 7:
http://rpmrush.com/2013-volkswagen-golf-gti

[jsausley]

I'm a huge fan of the MKVII GTI, but being an R owner, of course I won't be buying one immediately... hoping the MKVII R is good enough to make me switch up.

[Double-V]

Nice car, I would have it
Here is some info about GTI 7:
http://rpmrush.com/2013-volkswagen-golf-gti

That was brutal - they shouldn't let four year olds write their material for them.

[roger2050]

Nice car, I would have it
Here is some info about GTI 7:
http://rpmrush.com/2013-volkswagen-golf-gti

In what language is this written?! Is their keyboard's shift key broken?! ... "new golf gti"

[vr6fanatic]

Now what is wrong with the steering wheel? From the photos it looks like another great quality VW Piece.


-Laz

[Goodies1.8t@wrk]

I hope the stripe stays - I'm loving it!

oops double post....

[Goodies1.8t@wrk]

I hope the stripe stays - I'm loving it!

Loving it too! I think it's kind of cool and it will work with all the colors IMO, though it might be a little lost with the red paint job.

[roger2050]

Now what is wrong with the steering wheel? From the photos it looks like another great quality VW Piece.


-Laz

Those are my thoughts. The new steering wheel looks like an evolution of the last one. They have not ruined it. They've improved upon what some thought couldn't be further improved. Hats off to VW.

[BlackAdam]

Alright, I've done enough lurking... I just have to chime in on the steering wheel.

It sucks, but it's not the end of the world! I was able to attend one of the last days of the show, and spent a good amount of time in the car. The steering wheel is a step backward, not a progression. The steering wheel is definitely not as thick as the current MK6 steering wheel. I'd say it's in between my wife's 2012 Beetle steering wheel and the current GTI MK6 steering wheel. The buttons are very cheap/plain, and are my main complaint. Again, it's not the end of the world, as the rest of the car is just so damn hot.

http://i.imgur.com/AUQ3t.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HvpJs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BhhGZ.jpg