2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI Video

When the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI make their way to the U.S. early next year, they'll look familiar to visiting Europeans, whose continent already has enjoyed both for a while. Then again, they'll also look familiar to anyone stateside who's seen the previous versions of both compact hatchbacks. Getting an up-close peek at the Golf and GTI performance variants at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays was disappointed VW didn't do more to differentiate the new models from their predecessors' appearance.

More 2013 New York International Auto Show Coverage

That's not to say nothing's changed, of course. Both cars are lighter, longer, wider and more fuel efficient while preserving the interior quality, comfort and technological advancement that's made them so well-regarded overseas. Watch the video below for more of Mays' on-the-scene critique.

2015 Volkswagen GTI: Photo Gallery

We're not likely to see it at the dealership in calendar year 2013, but when the 2015 Volkswagen GTI does arrive, we expect the hot hatch to deliver high performance at a lower cost. That's thanks to production of both it and the 2015 Golf — debuting this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show — heading to Mexico; production thousands of miles closer should mean thousands of dollars in savings.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

The GTI offers the highest of three revised Golf engines, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, good for 210 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Sport seats with a plaid cloth pattern, a black headliner and red ambient lighting, along with stainless-steel pedals, trim and shift knob, punctuate the sporty point.

Check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2013 Geneva International Motor Show: 2014 Volkswagen GTI Preview

Volkswagen has unveiled the latest incarnation of its iconic GTI hot hatch ahead of the March 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. In keeping with VW's tradition of updating the Golf on which the GTI is based, the new car is an evolution of the old one, with subtle changes and improvements to powertrains, fuel economy and driving dynamics. The models unveiled in Geneva are the European-spec vehicles; the U.S.-spec cars have not yet been announced, but this is a good peek into what we could expect here.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Jaguar XFR Versus 2010 VW GTI

OK, we’re kidding. Editors Mike Hanley and Kelsey Mays didn’t actually pit these two high-performance trims against each other — they just talk about the pros and cons in this week’s podcast. Especially interesting is the fact that both the Jaguar XFR and VW GTI could be serviceable daily drivers.

Download the latest podcast via iTunes here. 

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.