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Volkswagen Golf GTI 2019 price and spec confirmed

The 2019 Golf GTI will only be available in a five-door body style. (image credit: Richard Berry)

Volkswagen Australia has announced pricing for its 2019 Golf GTI, which arrives in October with a bump in power and equipment, for just $1000 over the out-going model.

Priced at $45,490, the new Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine will come with the same 180kW/370Nm output as the sold-out Performance 1 special edition - an increase of 11kW/20Nm over the previous entry-level GTI.

For the first time a manual gearbox will not be offered with the 2019 GTI coming standard with a seven-speed (wet clutch) 'DSG' dual-clutch auto, along with an electro-mechanical locking differential and the front and rear brake package from the Golf R.

For the first time a manual gearbox will not be offered with the 2019 GTI. (image credit: Richard Berry) For the first time a manual gearbox will not be offered with the 2019 GTI. (image credit: Richard Berry)

Other standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, 8.0-inch display with sat nav and reversing camera, city AEB with pedestrian monitoring, adaptive cruise control, proximity key and push button start and the traditional Golf GTI ‘Clark’ sport cloth upholstery.

The 2019 Golf GTI will only be available in a five-door body style.

Despite the increase in grunt the 2019 Golf GTI is still lagging in the power stakes behind the manual-only (for now) Hyundai i30N with its 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol.
  
Only the Golf R trumps the GTI for performance in the Golf line-up with a 213kW/380Nm turbo four and all-wheel drive. While you can also expect a 2019 Golf R version to arrive further down the track, the current 2018 model is now available with drive-away pricing starting from $48,490.

Do you think the Golf GTI is the ultimate hot hatch or have times changed? Tell us what you think in the comments below.