Both should be available to dealers by the end next year.

The 2022 model year will see the arrival of the Mk8 Volkswagen GTI, and the GolfR. All Golf models will be manufactured at the company’s Wolfsburg, Germany facility. The Mk8 will be produced at the company’s Puebla, Mexico facility until it arrives in the U.S. ( without the entry-level Golf hatchback).

Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy at Volkswagen of America, confirmed the launch date during a virtual roundtable discussion. Hein stated that “we’re aiming at the back end of next Year.” Hein later clarified that the model-year 2022 GTI/Golf R would likely be in dealers by the third quarter 2021, barring any pandemic delays.

The GTI will be available earlier in European showrooms. It is expected to arrive later in the year. Recent spy photos show that the company is working on at least one edition of the hot hatch, the TCR edition. The TCR should have 296 horsepower (180 kW) in comparison to the standard GTI’s 241hp (180kW), and a lower stance as well as a larger brake package. Schafer answered questions about the TCR and said that he was working hard to obtain all special editions in the U.S. market.

How much will the newer 2022 VW GTI cost you? Although Volkswagen was not forthcoming with details, they did allow a few things to slip.

Schafer stated, “I don’t want to put numbers on paper, but I think we’re aiming to a lower than 10 percent price rise from Mk7 GTI to Mk8 GTI.” The new hot hatch will have more standard features and better performance than its predecessor. However, the news has us concerned. The new hot hatch’s price base would be around $31,500 according to some mathematicians. This is slightly more than the Hyundai Veloster and even the one with the 275hp Performance Pack.

The GTI and its more costly sibling, the Golf R, should offer near-Audi levels in refinement and everyday comfort. This is a far cry from some of its rivals. We also know that all VW’s 2022 hot-hatches will only be available in five-door configurations, which adds practicality and cargo space to the mix.