Volkswagen celebrate launch of new Golf GTI and GTD with the Leinster Rugby Team
Last night a host of car enthusiasts, Golf GTI fanatics, rugby fans, media and VIP guests witnessed the unveiling of the new Golf GTI and GTD at an exclusive launch event held at the Pavilion, Leopardstown Racecourse. Special guests on the night, the Leinster Rugby team, tried out the new GTI as they celebrated their recent partnership with Volkswagen before the new season kicks off.
The Leinster contingent including captain Leo Cullen, new signing Nathan Hines and outhalf Jonathan Sexton all arrived in their new Volkswagens just two days before their first competitive outing of the season against the Scarlets in the Magners League. The recent pairing of Europe’s number one car brand with the Heineken Cup Champions forms a formidable partnership.
A ‘stig styled’ Mondello stunt driver treated lucky guests on the night to a hot lap on the Leopardstown Race Track in the new Golf GTI, while indoors guests tried out Volkswagen’s new Golf GTI scalextric track. The event featured lots of entertainment and guests were welcomed with special Volkswagen cocktails from the signature GTI to the Beetle Juice. Some of Ireland’s top party-goers attended the event with models Georgia Salpa and Diana Donnelly welcoming guests.
Commenting on the night, Adam Chamberlain, Head of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen said: “We are delighted with our new partnership with the Leinster Rugby Team and very pleased they could be here for the launch of our halo car so close to their first competitive outing of the season. It is a perfect start to what promises to be a great relationship with Leinster.”
The Golf model line-up has grown stronger and better and this sixth generation offers a sporty GTI that maintains the character offered in the mid-nineties generation. The new model is striking with the honeycomb radiator grill rounding off a 240 km/h fast GTI that delivers a 210 BHP turbo engine. The Golf GTI is joined by the new Golf GTD, whose 170 BHP combined with 5.3 litres per 100km and 139 g/km CO2 makes it the high performance economical alternative.
New generation VW Golf GTI
At the heart of the GTI is an advanced new 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 210 BHP, available linked to either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox. Despite the rise in power output, the new GTI is assured of greater traction in all conditions thanks to standard new XDS system. Unique springs and dampers combine with lowered suspension to give GTI drivers the on-road experience they expect of the brand. In addition, Volkswagen’s innovative Adaptive Chassis Control system (ACC), featuring pneumatically controlled damper units, is offered for the first time on the GTI. This allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey.
The mechanical changes are joined by subtle cosmetic additions. The basis of the GTI is the Mk VI Golf, onto which is added an aggressive new front bumper. This features a deep honeycomb airdam framed by vertical foglights which sit below a new grille element adorned by a GTI badge. Like the standard Golf, the GTI uses horizontal lines to make the new car appear lower and wider than it really is. In reality, the new GTI is 27 mm wider than the car it replaces. At the rear, a diffuser is located between a new exhaust system with separated tailpipes to lower further the stance of the car. A subtle rear wing sits above a pair of smoked rear light lenses and a single ‘GTI’ badge.
