Golf 7 GTI Concept - Official Info and Photos from the show

[John Y]

The mk7 technical stats are massive all-around improvement in everyway.

Let's not forget the progressive steering, either; I think that has the potential to make a real difference to the car's driving dynamics, to the good.

[zigster38]

Alright let me be more precise, its the part of the red stripe under the lights that doesn't work, I really do like the look of the current double stripe. Well I doubt vw is going to change it so hopefully someone is working on aftermarket nuetral bar for under the headlights lol. I suppose there is always the chance it looks better in person.

[Das Schnurrbart]

One of my favorite features about VW's here to fore has been the steering wheels, but this looks like it came out of the GM-Ford parts bin. I hope this is not a trend we will see in the future with the thick spokes where the the thumb and finger tip back rests. Thick spoke steering wheels are hard to use and feel less secure to operate.

I am surprised by the dislike of the e-brake on the forum. I like it in my Tiguan, miss the one from my b6 passat and don't like the hydraulic one I have now.

[VW/CW]

This Nav looks huge compared to the 315 and 510. Anyone have more info? Model differentiations?

[1-VW]

No surprise here, once I saw the horsepower vs torque numbers my gut feeling was there is no valve lift./QUOTE]

That doesn't really compute; the horsepower and torque numbers of this new gti engine are virtually identical to those 2.0Ts with the variable valve lift system (AVS). The valve lift engine puts out 211hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, in the various Audi applications that use it. This new GTI engine, is rated at...217hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

That doesn't really compute; the horsepower and torque numbers of this new gti engine are virtually identical to those 2.0Ts with the variable valve lift system (AVS). The valve lift engine puts out 211hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, in the various Audi applications that use it. This new GTI engine, is rated at...217hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

I am convinced those torque numbers can be made quite easily without valve-lift. VW should be able to get those numbers with a small turbo and a carefully tuned back-pressure, the problem is a rise in EGT's. The valve lift should solve this by reducing the effective cylinder back pressure at higher rpm`s and increase exhaust velocity while maintaining the pressure ratio at the turbine.

The alternative solution is to keep the somewhat restrictive valves and cool the exhaust post turbine, the cool air is denser therefore you can increasing mass flow rates just as with a valve lift system and still maintain the same pressure ratio. With an actively cooled integrated manifold there is likely no need for valve-lift. I would not be surprised to see valve-lift being offered exclusively in the high output engine. If they do offer valve-lift in the Gti with a robust cooling system to minimize heat soak, it will have a well-spring of power to unlock.

This is how I arrived at my gut feeling, but in the end there are many ways to arrive at the same destination and maybe they chose the valve-lift way.

[Dawg90]

They ruined the steering wheel. Those buttons look so cheap, among the half-zonen other things that they did wrong coming from the perfect MK6 steering wheel.

+1 they went from one of the best steering wheels on the market to mediocrity.

[vincenzo]

I completely agree with regards to the steering wheel. They're raised the bar with it that anything less is mediocre. Anyone else see some similarities with the Evo X wheel?

[phingding]

Another vote for a bad steering wheel. The MK6 version was perfect. I'm also not a fan of the golf ball shift knob. I much preferred the manual shifter in the MK6.

[snakeye]

So many of the negative comments are due to VW not adhering to the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Can't they just accept the fact that some features can no longer be improved upon anymore? It seems that they are now simply overkilling everything design wise.

[R20]

So many of the negative comments are due to VW not adhering to the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Can't they just accept the fact that some features can no longer be improved upon anymore? It seems that they are now simply overkilling everything design wise.

I think it's the other way around. They did not want to transmit the message "hey we just comoletely changed the Golf GTI with the mkvii but left the old streering wheel". People are just too picky to risk that.

[Nuieve]

1. I love that red stripe.
2. I love new steering wheel, much better looking than MK6 one.
3. I like the idea of e-brake.

[snakeye]

1. I love that red stripe.
2. I love new steering wheel, much better looking than MK6 one.
3. I like the idea of e-brake.

[aeffertz]

I agree with him, other than the e-brake. Also a huge fan of the golf ball knob.

Original GTI Interior for refference...

[Nuieve]

Serious. I like all things modern. Don't give a baboon azz about some stupid e-brake thing, it's just ebrake why did everyone get their balls in a knot over it? The gt6 steering wheel is fugly, imo, can't believe people would want that lump of a turd carry over to mk7. I stayed away from enterig this coversation in sheer disbelief from all the comments, but in case vw people really monitor this forum and make their decisions based on things said in here, I just want them to know they're not aeshetically challenged, not at all. It's the other way round.

[ZeroBravoTango]

Meh. Not a fan. Only good looking part of the car is the seats. That steering wheel is disgusting.

[roger2050]

I think part of the problem is that none of the people commenting negatively about the steering wheel have actually seen or held it first-hand. I doubt the pictures do it justice.

As for electronic e-brake. Do not like. The fact that it's not mechanical makes me feel like we're less involved in controlling the machine, you know...there's just more to go wrong.

Ideal setup would be:

Candy White
2 door
Manual
Upgraded audio/Nav
Bi-Xenon
18" wheels
LSD (Performance Pkg)
MECHANICAL HAND BRAKE

[vincenzo]

Hasn't the e-parking brake been an issue on the Tiguans and Passats.

[snakeye]

Serious. I like all things modern. Don't give a baboon azz about some stupid e-brake thing, it's just ebrake why did everyone get their balls in a knot over it? The gt6 steering wheel is fugly, imo, can't believe people would want that lump of a turd carry over to mk7. I stayed away from enterig this coversation in sheer disbelief from all the comments, but in case vw people really monitor this forum and make their decisions based on things said in here, I just want them to know they're not aeshetically challenged, not at all. It's the other way round.

Just an e-brake? The fact that you prefer an electronic parking brake over a manual one merely for the sake of having a feature that is more modern makes me think you may not appreciate what the manual one adds in terms of driving/stopping experience, performance and safety. Sure the electronic brake is technologically more advanced than a cable hand brake, but what would you prefer when gliding on thick snow, courtesy of your ABS brakes, in an emergency stop situation? You don't have snow where you are? Well some of us do! A simple button may be more convenient for you; to each their own I guess, but there are very legitimate reasons for complaining about the e-brake.

[Nuieve]

Just an e-brake? The fact that you prefer an electronic parking brake over a manual one merely for the sake of having a feature that is more modern makes me think you may not appreciate what the manual one adds in terms of driving/stopping experience, performance and safety. Sure the electronic brake is technologically more advanced than a cable hand brake, but what would you prefer when gliding on thick snow, courtesy of your ABS brakes, in an emergency stop situation? You don't have snow where you are? Well some of us do! A simple button may be more convenient for you; to each their own I guess, but there are very legitimate reasons for complaining about the e-brake.

I have lots of snow, but I never drive like an idiot, so I never had to use e-brake WHILE driving or to stop. I use it only to prevent my car from rolling when parked. But again, I don't drive like an idiot.

[No_cats]

Just an e-brake? The fact that you prefer an electronic parking brake over a manual one merely for the sake of having a feature that is more modern makes me think you may not appreciate what the manual one adds in terms of driving/stopping experience, performance and safety. Sure the electronic brake is technologically more advanced than a cable hand brake, but what would you prefer when gliding on thick snow, courtesy of your ABS brakes, in an emergency stop situation? You don't have snow where you are? Well some of us do! A simple button may be more convenient for you; to each their own I guess, but there are very legitimate reasons for complaining about the e-brake.

Lol! What's the emergency brake going to do if you can't stop in the snow? You must put chains on your rear wheels...

[Hajduk]

Lol! What's the emergency brake going to do if you can't stop in the snow?

Make it more fun as you spin out of control

[Sep R]

i will be uber pissed if the GTI comes out in that blue color here in the states.

imho, that is THE color of the R

[Belox]

The gt6 steering wheel is fugly, imo, can't believe people would want that lump of a turd carry over to mk7.

Everyone entitled to their option, but to 1. dislike the mk6 wheel, and 2. like that gti concept wheel . I seem to recall the mk6 wheel was among 20 wheels voted the best.

[vincenzo]

Ergonomics on the MK6 steering wheel is brilliant. Far from being "lump of a turd".

[Nuieve]

Ergonomics on the MK6 steering wheel is brilliant. Far from being "lump of a turd".

Not arguing with ergonomics, I haven't used it but I will take your and everybody else's word for it. I'm just saying it's fugly as hell.

[snakeye]

I have lots of snow, but I never drive like an idiot, so I never had to use e-brake WHILE driving or to stop. I use it only to prevent my car from rolling when parked. But again, I don't drive like an idiot.

I made no allusion to driving style. I did however mention emergency stop situation, which in case you're no aware of, could occur even when you're NOT driving like an idiot. Road hazards are not always under your own control, and unfortunately neither will be the ability to lock your rear wheels whenever you wish on the MK7.

Lol! What's the emergency brake going to do if you can't stop in the snow? You must put chains on your rear wheels...

Stops the car faster in heavy snow than ABS can. Should try it out sometime.

[SHIPARCH]

Serious. I like all things modern. Don't give a baboon azz about some stupid e-brake thing, it's just ebrake why did everyone get their balls in a knot over it? The gt6 steering wheel is fugly, imo, can't believe people would want that lump of a turd carry over to mk7. I stayed away from enterig this coversation in sheer disbelief from all the comments, but in case vw people really monitor this forum and make their decisions based on things said in here, I just want them to know they're not aeshetically challenged, not at all. It's the other way round.

I'm guessing you've never driven a MKVI GTI or put your hands around the wheel.

[dmorrow]

I made no allusion to driving style. I did however mention emergency stop situation, which in case you're no aware of, could occur even when you're NOT driving like an idiot. Road hazards are not always under your own control, and unfortunately neither will be the ability to lock your rear wheels whenever you wish on the MK7.



Stops the car faster in heavy snow than ABS can. Should try it out sometime.

Besides locking up the rear brakes in heavy snow, what other road hazards occur that make you need to lock up your rear wheels? Since I haven't needed to pull the e-brake in heavy snow or any other situation in the last 25 years of driving I am not that concerned about it.

[Nuieve]

I think the proper (and original) term for e-brake (as in emergency brake, not electronic brake) is actually parking brake. It's intented for parking, not for emergency braking... Maybe in 80 y.o. cars it could be used for emergent braking when your rear brakes were more prone to suffer catastrophic failure or not be there at all, lol, but on modern cars regular brakes are always there and working and are always more efficient for braking than good ol' e-brake rear wheels lockup. I can understand concern for manual brake on a RWD car if you really do a lot of stunts, but on a FWD car like GTI it's only eating space and cluttering interior.

[snakeye]

It is more effective to lock your brakes in heavy snow (or gravel, sand...) than to rely on the ABS. That's a proven fact. Also...



"Parking" brakes... You're probably right it's the correct term, but it has other uses.

[dmorrow]

It is more effective to lock your brakes in heavy snow (or gravel, sand...) than to rely on the ABS. That's a proven fact. Also...


"Parking" brakes... You're probably right it's the correct term, but it has other uses.

I guess while you are taking part in WRC events it is very useful.

[luckeydoug1]

Just an e-brake? The fact that you prefer an electronic parking brake over a manual one merely for the sake of having a feature that is more modern makes me think you may not appreciate what the manual one adds in terms of driving/stopping experience, performance and safety. Sure the electronic brake is technologically more advanced than a cable hand brake, but what would you prefer when gliding on thick snow, courtesy of your ABS brakes, in an emergency stop situation? You don't have snow where you are? Well some of us do! A simple button may be more convenient for you; to each their own I guess, but there are very legitimate reasons for complaining about the e-brake.

I agree 100%. I totally hate the ebrake in my 11 Touareg. Those who have never used the parking brake in Golf in the "proper" manner will never understand why those of us who dislike the electronic one, do.

In addition, there have been reports of the ebrake not functioning correctly. In particular, not releasing.

[nastybags]

i actually love the new gti steering wheel. and i own a mk6 i would swap given the chance.

[hkswrxti]

Really wished the headlights didnt have the strip. Here's a photoshop I did:

-smoked healights + side mirror turn signals
-colormatched front stripe
-colormatched brakes
-tint
-lowered

I think it looks amazing and is definitely continuing to grow on me.

[Nuieve]

Why are people so enamoured with this punkass slammed look is beyond me. Looks utterly dumb. I'd put put in the same category as wearing 10 pound golden chain on your neck. Sooo ghetto...