The new Golf, which we get roughly next spring, promises to be not only a bit bigger, growing about two inches, but also lighter by 60 lbs. A bigger car that weighs less is typically tough to achieve; VW managed it by upping the use of high-strength steel from 66 to 80 percent. Ultra-high-strength hot-formed steel usage has jumped from six to 28 percent.

The GTI’s 2.0-liter four gas motor is also far more potent, jumping to 220 hp and 258 lb. ft. of torque—enough to make current Golf R buyers miffed (the R makes 256 hp but only 243 lb. ft. of torque.)