1.1030012-690136367
The new GTI will be lighter than its predecessor. Image Credit: Supplied picture

Working around the clock is what we do on a weekly basis, so we know just how stressed Volkswagen feels right now.

It too has been working overtime on the Golf GTI Mk VII and the good news is, it’s almost ready.

The new-look hot hatch, expected to be launched later this year, was caught lapping the Nürburgring in anger by our trusty spy.

The heavily camouflaged car suggests wholesale changes can be expected. It’ll use the VW Group’s new MQB platform and that means lots of aluminium.

Therefore, it’ll be lighter than its predecessor and its TSI 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot will feel far peppier than the 217bhp and 350Nm of torque suggest.

It should hit 0-100kph in 6.7 seconds, making it two tenths quicker than the outgoing model.