Shanghai, March 15 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen AG plans to introduce seven new models in China this year and the Golf GTI is the first, China Daily reported today, citing head of VW China.
The sports car, retailing at 235,800 yuan ($34,540), is equipped with a 2.0-liter TSI engine and DSG gearbox. With a maximum torque of 280Nm/1700-5000rpm, it accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 235km/h.
"(Sales) volume is not important for the Golf GTI. The important thing is that we can do this (produce sports cars) in China," said Winfried Vahland, president of Volkswagen Group China, adding that 80% of parts for the locally made Golf GTI are sourced in China.
He expects the sports model to eventually account for 10% of all Golf sales in China. Last year, Volkswagen launched its sixth-generation Golf at the joint venture FAW Volkswagen (FAW-VW) in northeastern city of Changchun.
"The Golf GTI is a car of emotion and targets young buyers between the ages of 25 and 30," he said. The launch of the Golf GTI makes Volkswagen the first global carmaker to produce a sports car in China.
The joint venture with China's FAW Group also produces Volkswagen Jetta, Bora, Sagitar and Magotan as well as Audi A6 and A4.
Vahland didn't disclose how many vehicles Volkswagen plans to sell in China this year. In 2009, the German auto giant's China sales topped 1.4 million cars to maintain its almost three decades of leadership in the China's car market.
