A Lighter, Faster Volkswagen GTI for 2015 Introduced on Wednesday, March 27, 2013: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI What it it? Although Volkswagen had already introduced its Golf GTI at the Geneva motor show this month, the North American market had yet to learn which engine options were available on this side of the Atlantic. The answer is clear: not as many as Europeans are getting. The New World will also get the GTI later than Europe. Volkswagen promises a car that is lighter, faster, more fuel efficient and more spacious inside than its predecessor. What they said: The new Golf will be produced in Volkswagen's Mexico plant. VW says the new GTI, which the company says is 220 pounds lighter than the previous model, will get up to 23 percent better fuel economy. VW also says hybrid and full electric models using the new Golf platform are in the works and likely to appear eventually. What they didn't say: We know that the North American spec GTI will have manual and automatic transmission options, but Volkswagen declined to specify how many gears and what sort of gadgets those transmissions will be equipped with in their North American cars. It's logical that there will be a 6-speed manual and some kind of dual-clutch automatic offered. Although the standard Golf will get a 170 horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine or a 150 horsepower 2-liter turbo diesel, the hot hatch GTI features a version of VW's new EA288 engine family. The turbocharged 2-liter 4 cylinder engine makes 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI will also be tricked out with sporty interior cues, like side hugging plaid-upholstered seats, a black headliner, stainless steel pedals and shift knob and red dash lighting. As with many cars, a dash mounted 5.8-inch touchscreen will be offered as standard equipment on the GTI. Pricing for the GTI has not been announced yet, but it will become available during the first half of 2014 as a 2015 model in North America. The GTI looks as rakish as anyone would expect a hot hatch to look, but not overly so. Its low stance and wide, simple wheels give it athletic poise, and its furrowed grille and headlights lend a distinctly European flair to its aggressive vibe. Thankfully, Volkswagen did not include a huge grille or radiator intake. The interior is uncomplicated and attractive. The seats are comfortable, and the controls easy to reach. Plaid seating surfaces do a nice job of offsetting the overall darkness of the car's black interior.