2013 Volkswagen GTI unveiled in Paris

Sombreness is the new aggressiveness. You may shout as loud as you will, but do it with with your lip shut. This is MMN analogy to describe the new appearance of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Clothed in a very, very restrained styling projection, which best describe as if the body flexing muscle is conceal by the tight-flat-wrapped clothing, hiding the athleticism from the being visible. The "mature" face hides a screaming 217bhp and 350Nm of power and torque produced by the new turbocharged, direct injected 2.0L lump employing the Start/Stop to boost fuel economy to the tune of 6.0L/100km.

Compared to the cooking Mk7, the GTI Design Study (yeah right) gets a different front fascia design, employing the legendary red stripes that run along the upper grille, and new for Mk7, into the headlights too. The bumper, while retaining similar outline, is actually more bulging and protruding outward, with prominent meshing grille pattern. The strakes adorns the fog lamp housing. The rear end meanwhile gets a smoked rear lights and 80mm diameter exhaust outlet poking on each side of the rear bumper valence. The car sits on the Brooklyn 17" alloys, with 18 inchers available as an option. The former is wrapped in 225/45 tyres. Other than that, the Golf GTI is pure Mk7 Golf, meaning that it is a clean-looking C Segment hatchback with stunning stressed-metal-sheet look customary to VAG family and littered with lots of tiny design detailing that counts beyond their sums.

Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by the aforementioned 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, assisted by the modern direct injection system and boosted by a turbocharger. Transmission option is either 6MT or 6 speed DSG. There are two states of tune available. The standard tune offers 217PS and 350Nm of power and torque combo, while the Performance Pack liberates another 10PS. In the "lower-power guise", the new GTI sprints to 100km/h in 6.6s, on the way to 246km/h top speed. Opting for the Performance Pack cuts the century sprint time by 0.1s and rounded up the top speed to 250km/h. Going for the power pack not only liberates more power, but the handling is further enhanced by larger front disc brakes measuring 17-inch in diameter (with GTI  embossed on the caliper) and front axle differential lock.

The interior of the VW Golf GTI is garnished in the best of GTI tradition, meaning that the "tartan" upholstery pattern and the golf-ball shaped gear knob. Since the last generations too the flat-bottomed steering has been featured and carried into the Mk7 GTI with 3 metal spokes and high-gloss black trim. The dashboard is trimmed in similar high-gloss black too. The leather parts are red stitched, lending further ambiance of sportiness. Also making a strong statement is the GTI instrument cluster with a colour display and independent graphics of its instruments. It is no coincidence that it resembles high-end chronographs. The GTI-specific look of the interior is completed by red ambience lighting, special trim strips and panels (trim strips in the front doors with ambience lighting), brushed stainless steel pedals and foot rest (on left), door sill entry plates in front with a stainless steel application and ambience lighting that is also integrated here.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI will be on sale in Europe in early 2013 in both 3 and 5 door body styles. UK will get the car in their summer. One more photo after the jump.