Those Golf GTI fans with a more extreme need for speed were left somewhat disappointed by the seventh-generation model, which isn't a lot more powerful than its predecessor.
Even the 'Performance' model (not available in South Africa) manages just 169kW and 350Nm.
Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the European tuners got their hands dirty on the new GTI and the most extreme one we've heard of to date comes from the HG Motorsport garage. They've managed to tune it up to a massive 223kW.
There is an 'in between' first stage, however, in which revised engine electronics, sportier exhaust and air intake up the stakes to 193kW and 376kW, which puts it in the same league as the 195kW/360Nm Renault Megane RS.
The aforementioned top model gains an HF Series intercooler and additional ECU tinkering to unleash 223kW and 444Nm.
However, those that want that kind of power in a stock standard Golf should rather look forward to the upcoming Golf R model, which is said to have more than 200kW on tap.
Source: Autoevolution