AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-Twenty-six years after bringing the hot hatchback concept to the U.S., Volkswagen of America is importing a completely new GTI from Germany with more power and prestige than ever. The all-new GTI is based on the internationally acclaimed new Golf, the most refined and best driving compact car ever built by Volkswagen.

The GTI, Volkswagen's ultimate driver's car, comes in two versions for the 1999 model year-a high-powered VR6 GLX version and a sporty 115 horsepower four cylinder GLS. Both offer German performance born on the autobahn, as well as a refined, high quality interior that is both sporty and surprisingly practical.

Volkswagen's new GTI versions come with a wealth of features uncommon in this class of vehicle. A few of the more notable standard items for the 1999 GTI GLX include a premium eight-speaker stereo with CD prep, a fully automatic climate control with sun sensor, dual front side airbags, leather seating, ABS brakes, cruise control, 16inch alloy wheels, a dark wood decor, a cold climate package, self-dimming mirrors, and an automatic rain sensor.

For 1999, the 2.8 liter VR6 engine in the GTI delivers even more high-end horsepower and torque. With a newly designed intake manifold, this award-winning powerplant now creates 174 horsepower at 5,800 revolutions per minute and 181 ft. lbs. of torque at 3,200 rpm.

Renowned for its seamless and well-balanced power delivery, the VR6's remarkable elasticity and acceleration are the result of its generous power distribution over a very wide rpm range: between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm, the VR6 serves up 85 percent of its power. Originally developed to fit in the area of a four-cylinder, the VR6 employs a space-saving design in which the V angle between cylinder banks is 15 degrees rather than the 60 or 90 of conventional V6 designs. This gives the VR6 the advantages of a compact V6, as well as those of a conventional in-line six-cylinder with a single cylinder head, narrow width, and excellent balancing.

Like other great cars of Germany, the GTI has been built to very high standards. Advanced laser welding, space-age bonding agents and self-piercing rivets give its chassis an unprecedented torsional rigidity. This high level of rigidity provides various advantages. First and foremost, it allows for a more dynamic driving character and refined mannerism found only in a much more expensive class of vehicle.

This unrivalled level of quality in manufacturing can be seen in viewing the new GTIs. Panel gaps are held to very narrow tolerances, a process only made possible by the car's exceptional torsional integrity.

With a fully galvanized body, the GTI boasts an industry leading 12-year warranty against rust perforation.

While the two-door GTI has all-new sheet metal, it remains true to its historic design tradition. Typical GTI styling cues are intact but convey a very modem, dynamic update, including a more steeply raked windscreen. Thankfully, designers have opted against playful visual effects and have given the new car clear-cut styling, with smooth surfaces and no abrupt edges or lines.

One of the design highlights of the GTI are its main headlamps, which feature twin halogen headlamps behind a clear, chip-resistant polycarbonate lens. The foglights and turn signals are also incorporated, giving the front end a clean, high-tech look.

The GTI four-cylinder is powered by a new 2.0 liter, SOHC, four-cylinder powerplant. Built from a more compact, cast-iron cylinder block, it produces 115 horsepower at 5,200 rpm; more importantly, its maximum torque of 122 ft. lbs. is realized at just 2,600 rpm. Other improvements, which contribute to its refined performance, include a crankshaft driven oil pump; a new, two-piece aluminum intake manifold and stainless-steel exhaust manifold; a lighter weight, more rigid cast-aluminum oil pan; light-weight single-coil valve springs; and a semi-automatic toothed camshaft drive-belt tensioner that now drives the coolant pump.

Mated to both the VR6 and 2.0 liter engines is a standard five-speed manual with a hydraulic clutch. The 2.0 liter can be ordered with an optional four-speed automatic.

Fortunately, the GTI's performance does not come at the expense of practicality or comfort. Offering a total of 103 cubic feet of space, the all-new interior is cavernous by sports car standards, and its hatchback design makes it a very versatile hauler. Splitfolding rear seats give it even more flexibility.

Inside, both GTIs feature a completely redesigned, high-quality environment. Full instrumentation features two large, easy-to-read dials and new backlighting technology employs a distinctive blue illumination to create an eye-pleasing nocturnal atmosphere. Bright red dials immediately inform the driver.

As found in all Volkswagens, the GTI's driving position is paramount. The seats are well bolstered and orthopedically firm for comfort during extended drives. And finding the perfect driving position is made easier with a pump action height adjustment for the front seats, as well as a tilting/telescoping steering wheel.

Active safety in the new GTI comes from its precise handling, the security of frontwheel-drive, advanced ABS braking, and other accident avoidance aids like daytime running lights (DRL).

For protection when an accident can't be avoided, the 1999 GTI offers a highly advanced passive safety system that comprises a multitude of state-of-the-art safety features and structural elements designed to work together to help protect its occupants.

This system begins with the GTI's exceptionally rigid body structure that includes energy absorbing crumple zones. In a severe crash, these deformation zones sacrifice themselves in an accordion-like fashion, absorbing the energy to help spare the critical central structure.

This system works in concert with an advanced supplemental restraint system. In addition to front driver and passenger airbags, the GTI uses a new seat belt tensioning system that tightens and optimally positions all outboard belts within milliseconds of a severe crash. The front three-point safety belts are also equipped with shoulder height adjustments, and to help secure a child safety seat, which should only be used in the rear seats, automatic locking retractors (ALR) and emergency locking retractors (ELR) are provided.

The 1999 GTI utilizes standard side airbags for front seat occupants. This system is integrated into the front seats for good reason: no matter where the front occupant adjusts his or her seat position, the airbag maintains its protective relationship. This cannot always be assured if the side airbag is installed in the door or the roof pillar. Side protection is further ensured by special reinforcements and structural members, including anti-intrusion tubes and foam padding at all four doors.

Additional frontal impact protection comes from the steering system via a collapsible steering column and a steering wheel specially cushioned and designed to manage impact energy.

Further details of how the GTI interior provides occupant protection are found in the use of adjustable headrests for all seating positions, front and rear, the absence of sharp interior edges, recessed handles and control switches, crushable sun visors, a foldable rearview mirror, and non-override door locks.

Protection Plus