
Sources report that Volkswagen will introduce a special Mk7 Golf GTI, dubbed the Carbon GTI.
As its name suggests, the Carbon GTI will be engineered to extensively feature carbon fiber components, namely on the roof and the hood. Combined with the use of aluminum, the future Carbon GTI promises to lop off as much as 200 kg, or 411 lbs., from the standard GTI model.
A challenging mission and a monumental commitment to costly materials, Volkswagen intends to curb the carbon fiber development costs by spreading the use of the lightweight construction among the Volkswagen Golf hybrid and Golf electric vehicle as well.
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Mechanically, the Carbon GTI will feature standard GTI running gear, featuring a 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant producing 222-hp. However, thanks to its new weight-loss program, the Carbon GTI is expected to accelerate from 0-to-60mph in well under six seconds.
Enormous handling improvements are expected from the lighter Carbon GTI. On top of that, Volkswagen is reportedly using a new steering system and a VAQ front differential for an added edge in the limited edition GTI's handling.
A sensational development to the GTI lineup, the Carbon GTI is slated for a 2014 debut to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf hatchback.