Volkswagen Canada Showcases New GTI at Montreal Autoshow

AJAX, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 16, 2014) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

In 1976, a small team of Volkswagen engineers secretly set about transforming one of the company's newest cars, the recently released Golf hatchback, into something more. Their goal was to create a car that would appeal to the enthusiast who demanded practicality, reliability and utility, but craved performance. When they were done, the first GTI was born and their "project" led to the quick sale of 5,000 such vehicles.

Now, some 37 years and 1.9 million cars later, the GTI has spawned its 7^th generation by remaining true to the original formula that created a whole new class of vehicle, the "hot hatch".

This spring, the 2015 Volkswagen GTI will be available in Canada, and makes its debut at the Montréal Autoshow. Based upon the new modular MQB platform, the GTI is longer, lower and wider, while offering new levels of refinement and performance.

Powered by the latest version of Volkswagen's award-winning 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged engine, the GTI now delivers 210 hp and 258 lb. ft of torque through either a 6 speed manual or direct shift gearbox. Despite this increase in power, fuel efficiency has improved dramatically thanks to aerodynamic improvements and weight reduction.

The exterior is classic GTI, with a bold new character line running the length of the vehicle and wrapping the front headlamps with a traditional red stripe. Inside, sport seats trimmed in classic tartan cloth leave no doubt that this is a GTI.

Available in both 3 and 5 door variants, the all-new GTI will be available later this spring with pricing to be announced at next month's Autoshow in Toronto.

About Volkswagen Canada:

Founded in 1952, Volkswagen Canada is headquartered in Ajax, Ontario. It is the largest volume European automotive nameplate in Canada, and sells the Golf, Golf Wagon, Golf GTI, The Beetle, Jetta, Eos, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and Touareg through 136 independent Canadian Dealers. It is the leader in affordable TDI Clean Diesel vehicle sales in Canada, and forms part of Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and is Europe's largest automaker.

Visit Volkswagen Canada online at www.Volkswagen.ca

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