Volkswagen has always offered a GTI version of its Golf hatchback, but in recent years their hot hatch offering has started to look a bit safe and tame compared to some of the newer, bonkers rivals it has competed against over the years - especially in terms of power. The current GTI can be had with up to 286 horsepower if you opt for the limited series TCR model, but apparently, the next-gen 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI may have just as much power in standard form.

What Do We Know About the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI?

Most Golf GTIs sold today have under 240 metric horsepower, so the TCR is the very pinnacle of the front-wheel-drive Golf range. With the next generation GTI, however, the power gap between the regular model and rivals might close and, in some cases, give the Golf the upper hand.

AutoBild reports the next GTI’s engine might push out 300 metric horsepower (296 brake horsepower), a big hike over the current model’s output. However, the source seems a bit unclear regarding whether or not this power level will be that of the standard GTI or if you’ll have to opt for the more expensive and more focused GTI Performance.

The current Golf GTI Performance’s 2.0-liter, TSI, turbo engine makes 245 metric horsepower, but the TCR model (the model VW has chosen to send off the current Golf GTI with) may hint at a much more powerful replacement. So basically, the new hot front-wheel-drive Golf may have around 250 metric horsepower in standard guise and that figure could be pushed closer to 300 metric horsepower in the even hotter “Performance” version. As a reminder, the most powerful variant of the current GTI is the Clubsport S. It has 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

But with that kind of output, the GTI will encroach upon Golf R territory - the current Golf R (VW’s all-wheel-drive Golf range performance flagship) makes right around that much power.

We will have to wait a while to find out how this all pans out, though, since the next Golf GTI probably won’t be revealed until 2020 as a 2021 model. The regular version of the hatch will most likely be shown at the 2019 Geneva motor show where we’ll be present to provide live photos and the latest information. But if you can't wait for that, check out our rendering preview of the 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk.8.

Further reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 GTI.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf