New Volkswagen Golf GTI revealed

Volkswagen has released pictures of its new Golf GTI - with prices expected to start from around £34,000 when the hot hatch arrives in the UK later this year.

Revealed alongside a warm GTD diesel and plug-in hybrid GTE, the GTI pairs the eighth-generation Golf with a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 245PS.

It features all the hallmarks of a GTI: a honeycomb grille, a perforated leather steering wheel and red brake calipers. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard (18- and 19-inch are available as optional extras), while the interior gets the GTI's trademark tartan bucket seats. There's also a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, featuring bespoke GTI graphics.

Performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but expect a top speed limited to 155mph and a marginal improvement over its predecessor's 6.4-second 0-62mph time.

The plug-in hybrid GTE model pairs a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to provide a GTI-matching 245PS. A bigger-than-before 13kWh battery means it can now cover 37 miles under electric power alone, while its trick predictive hybrid control means it'll charge up the batteries on the motorway and run in electric mode around town.

Other distinguishing features of the GTE include a lack of visible tailpipes, while the digital instrument panel and infotainment screen feature GTE-specific efficiency displays.

Finally, the diesel GTD is set to continue to be a popular model with performance Volkswagen fans, despite the brand's obvious move towards electrification. This uses a 200PS turbodiesel engine with a hefty 400Nm of torque, along with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as standard. 

Fuel economy or performance figures are yet to be announced for the GTD, too, although Volkswagen is promising 'high efficiency levels'.