2010 Volkswagen GTI at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Mini Cooper S, Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Impreza WRX
• Looks like: VW showed a lot of restraint when styling its performance hatch
• Drivetrain: 200-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or automatic; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2009

Volkswagen's performance-oriented GTI hatchback receives styling updates inside and out for 2010, but its turbocharged drivetrain lives on from the previous model. When it hits dealerships in the fall, it will be available in two- and four-door hatchback form.

Typical of VW performance models, there aren't any overly done exterior modifications to separate the GTI from the less powerful Golf. There are, however, a number of small tweaks that help give the car its own look. The front-end styling is more imposing thanks to a large mesh lower grille and a thin mesh upper grille that's highlighted by red striping and a GTI badge. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard, and 18-inch rims are optional. In another change from the previous GTI, the car's dual tailpipes are set apart from each other near the edges of the bumper, whereas before they exited the bumper together.

Front bucket seats with large side bolsters go into the GTI's cabin, which also features a meaty steering wheel with red stitching. There's more red thread on the gear selector and parking brake handle, and the cabin also features new door interiors, new gauges and a new center control panel that houses the optional navigation system.

The changes keep the GTI contemporary in terms of its looks, but I'm surprised VW didn't take the opportunity to give it a little more power to keep pace with some of its competitors.More photos below.

2008 Paris Auto Show: 2010 VW GTI

• Competes with: Subaru WRX, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Mazdaspeed3
• Looks like: An economy car with mischief on its mind
• Drivetrain: 210-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or DSG transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late summer, early fall 2009

If you like your compact sports hatchbacks to have plaid seats, then the 2010 VW GTI is your car. Based on the next-generation Rabbit (formerly the Golf), which we wrote about earlier here, the GTI is the high-performance version we’ve grown fond of here at Cars.com.

The new GTI looks radically different, with a revised front end. It seems VW is shying away from the huge, big-mouth grilles it borrowed from its corporate cousins at Audi. Overall we like the new look, but the fog lights could definitely stand to be better integrated into the lower bumper.

Under the hood is a revised version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s used by most other VW models. Here it puts out 210 hp and 207 pounds-feet of torque for a zero to 60 time that’s just under 7 seconds.

New is an electronic limited-slip differential that helps keep the car’s front wheels planted to the ground.

Check out more photos below and let us know if this GTI does more for you than the last generation.

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Jettas, GTIs, Rabbits

On Friday, Volkswagen announced it was recalling 340,000 cars due to faulty headlights. Jetta, Rabbit, GTI and R32 cars from the 2005-2008 model years are included in the recall. As of today, any owner can bring their car in to get the problem fixed.

Faulty headlights can be a hazard in night or daytime driving. No injuries have been reported, and concerned owners can call 1-800-822-8987 for more information.

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Cars (CNNMoney)

Cars.com Faceoff: Cheap Speed, the Sequel

Last year, the all-new Volkswagen GTI bested the then-aging Mini Cooper and the new Honda Civic Si in one of our most popular faceoffs to date. Today, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder took last year’s champ and put it against a redesigned Mini Cooper and a newcomer, the Mazdaspeed3. Which affordable, accelerator-friendly hatchback won out? Click below. 

Cars.comparison: Small and Fast, Take II

VW Recalls 790,000 Jettas, Golfs, GTIs and Beetles

Volkswagen today announced a recall involving a defect in the brake light switch; the switch could either not function, or remain on at all times. In either case, that could send the wrong signal, literally, to other drivers. The recall involves more than 790,000  1999 – 2006 Golfs and GTIs, 2001 – 2005 Jettas, 2001 – 2007 New Beetles and 2004 R32s.

This recall comes after the same problem was discovered on other Jettas and New Beetles last year. That recall involved 362,000 vehicles. The sheer number – 1,150,000 – of cars involved in the two recalls is immense.

VW will begin the recall in April; owners can contact VW at (800) 822-8987.

[Volkswagen Recalls 790,000 Cars to Fix Brake Light Switch, The Detroit News]

VW Debuts R GTI Concept at SEMA

Last year, Volkswagen unveiled some very cool, very high-powered in-house performance variants of their Jetta, Passat and Touareg with a simple R badge. These were some cool-looking concepts that led many to think that VW would offer them in limited numbers. Alas, it never happened. So we’re a bit dismayed to be teased once again this year by a great looking, amped up VW, this time called the R GTI.

The new GTI by itself is a great performer. Add on a more powerful turbocharger to the stock car and somehow VW and partner APR wrangle 375 hp out of the hot hatchback. There are much larger tires and wheels — 19-inch at that — and a limited slip-differential to get all the power to the road, while Brembo brakes help stop the sucker. A much larger intercooler is needed for the turbo and that led to a change in the grille design that makes the GTI look pretty mean. 

The GTI will probably never see these treatments at the factory but because VW used major aftermarket manufacturers and parts a few VW fanatics could probably replicate this in their own garage. We expect VW to develop an R version of the GTI as either a R32 or R36. Those are likely to feature a V-6 and not a turbo four-cylinder, but we’re hoping for the R GTI’s front end to make the transition regardless. 

More on VW's Fahrenheit Special Editions

Last week we brought you word — and pricing — for four new special-edition Volkswagens. The two that will probably be the hottest of the bunch are, appropriately enough, the Fahrenheit GLI and GTI. The limited numbers will probably make them sought-after among enthusiasts, but VW has done a good job with tons of small touches, like door inserts and even color-matched wheels, to make them appeal to other buyers as well. Keep reading for more pictures.

Head to Head: Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW GTI 4-Door

This is the third head-to-head post we’ve done featuring two of the cars we got an early look at last week. We’ve been criticized heavily for not comparing more exact models and trim levels, but we were working with what we had and hopefully explained our reasoning the entire way. BUT, now we match two vehicles that couldn’t be more alike in every way. We recently reviewed the Mazdaspeed3 in full and also featured the two-door GTI in a Cheap Speed Faceoff. But last week we were able to look at the all-new four-door GTI — offered in the U.S. for the first time — and it naturally fell into place next to the Mazdaspeed3. Again, David Thomas and Mike Hanley took their turns in the two. Read on to see if they could agree on a winner.

Wolfsburg Bites Back: The New VW Special Editions

Volkswagen has had great success with special edition vehicles in the past. The Wolfsburg limited edition Cabriolets and Trek mountain bike Jettas are both memorable examples that gained a strong following for the brand. Now, VW is looking to return to some of that limited edition glory with four new offerings.

The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta is basically a 2.5 L Jetta with an assortment of popular options — like 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof and a cold-weather package — at a price almost $2,000 less than a similarly equipped Jetta. Prices for the Wolfsburg are $19,360 for the manual and $20,435 for the automatic. The limited edition part comes in with unique badging and only five color choices.