Published: May 23, 2012

Spied: Volkswagen Golf GTI Lapping the Nurburgring

We’re still about a year away from the new GTI making its world debut.

We last spied the seventh-generation VW Golf back in February when it was undergoing the requisite winter testing. Things are obviously coming along nicely as this time round the new VW Golf GTI was out on show wearing its production outfit doing some laps of the Nurburgring. The Golf will debut at September's Paris Motor Show, however we'll have to wait until next year to see the Golf GTI in person when it will most likely take a bow at Geneva.

Spied: Volkswagen Golf GTI Lapping the Nurburgring

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Noticeable difference between the GTI and the previous Golf prototypes are larger alloys wrapped with beefier tires, a lowered body and the side skirts. Lapping the 'Ring was a five-door, but VW have plans to release a three-door and perhaps even a convertible further down the road. Signature styling of the GTI such as a unique front grille with red accents and smoked lights are expected on the Mk7 model, while it will also ride on the VW Group's new MQB modular platform so will be lighter than its predecessor. Power will come from an improved version of the current 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine.

We can thus expect somewhere in the region of 220-230hp instead of the 207hp the 2012 GTI manages. More power and a lighter body will translate into better acceleration and more speed. A six-speed manual and optional seven-speed dual clutch transmission will be offered, driving the front wheels via a new electronically-controlled limited slip differential.