2010 Volkswagen Mark VI GTI

Revealed:
2010 Volkswagen Mark VI GTI
Volkswagen has made it abundantly clear that the Scirocco isn't destined for U.S. shores, but a consolation prize is on the way in the form of the Mark VI GTI.

VW took the wraps off of the Golf VI GTI "Studie" concept at the Paris Motor Show, but the three- and five-door hatches you see here are essentially production versions of the 2010 GTI. Wearing a new fascia inspired by the Scirocco and employed on the entry-level Golf, the new GTI drops the overgrown under bite of its predecessors and adds a larger air dam, new HID headlamps, repositioned fog lights, a dual exhaust and a set of stretched tail lamps fitted to a redesigned rump. All of these changes, matched with a ride-height dropped by 22mm, give the new GTI a wider, lower-slung stance.

Underneath the new sheet metal lies the same MacPherson front struts and multi-link rear arrangement as the outgoing model, along with a revised sports suspension that employs retuned shocks, springs and a larger rear anti-roll bar. An optional adaptive chassis control system will be available on the 2010 model in Germany, allowing drivers to flick a switch on the dash to stiffen shock absorber damping and compression rates. However, there's no guarantee this tech will find its way onto U.S.-spec models.

Motivating the Mark VI is a new 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder putting out 210bhp, with 207 lb-ft. of twist available from 1,800 RPM onwards. Considering that the Mark V's 2.0-liter turbo was underrated at 200bhp, things should feel the same behind the wheel. Power will be delivered to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox, while a new electronic limited-slip differential (XDS) will attempt to keep wheel spin and torque steer at bay.

The interior benefits from some subtle revisions, including new plaid cloth inserts on the seats, a redesigned shift knob and aluminum accents on the dash and doors.

The new GTI will go on sale in Europe this spring, with sales in the U.S. beginning sometime in late 2009. Word on the street is that pricing will remain the same as the current model and that an R32-replacing, 270bhp "R" version packing all-wheel-drive will be released in early 2010.

Going Topless
Lexus IS250C
In an alternate universe, where 100-octane pours out of garden hoses and smog checks are done on the honor system, a Lexus exec picked up the phone to ask the SCC staff what its next model should be. Our response was simple: "Bring us an IS coupe." Unfortunately, the good stuff goes for $6.50 a gallon, California smog laws are still draconian and Lexus never called. Instead, we get this-the IS 250C-a folding hardtop convertible that's bound to set trophy wives' hearts aflutter.

Lexus deviated from the well-worn path taken by most automakers when developing its drop-top IS, opting to create the convertible before engineering a dedicated two-door model. The move might appear counterproductive at first, but considering that the SC430 is DOA in 2009, Lexus had a convertible-sized hole in its lineup that had to be filled stat.

The IS250C is only slightly shorter than its four-door stablemate, but features a front fascia 15mm longer and a rear overhang stretched by 55mm over the sedan. New fog lamps accompany a rising beltline that terminates into a tweaked trunk fitted with LED taillights, but the IS250C's party piece is the three-piece aluminum roof that retracts in a scant 20 seconds.

Inside, it's typical Lexus fare, with acres of soft touch plastic, leather surfaces and a 12-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. Speed-sensitive climate control keeps things toasty when enjoying open-air jaunts and a pair of rollover hoops mounted behind the rear seats deploy if things get out of hand on the way to the golf course.