[Photo Source: Autoblog.com]

Intended to grace American shores as the 2009 MK VI GTI, the new VW speed demon packs a redesigned, powerful 210-hp 2.0L TFSI-four engine. Mated with a six-speed manual transmission, the 2009 GTI puts out 207 lb-ft of torque and can apparently do 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds – specs definitely befitting a company with strong performance ancestry.

Bottom line: although it isn’t the highly praised European-bound Scirocco, the 2009 VW GTI has undergone a significant revision and we have no qualms about accepting it as a substitute.

Gallery after jump