Autocar reports Volkswagen may be working on a lightweight version of the GTI as a tribute to the model's bare-bones ancestry. Dubbed "Carbon GTI," the model is said to make use of a range of new manufacturing techniques to incorporate a heap of carbon fiber and aluminum wherever possible. Pieces like the bulkhead, windshield frame and floor panels are all expected to be hammered from lightweight alloy while the hood and roof will be stitched from the composite. All told, the changes should shave around 440 pounds from the chassis, resulting in a curb weight in the neighborhood of 2,480 pounds.

Word has it VW will leave the drivetrain untouched from the upcoming Mark VII GTI, which means buyers can expect to find the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood good for around 222 horsepower (the 2012 model makes do with an even 200 horses). Even so, the Weight Watchers treatment should help the Carbon GTI slim its 0-60 dash to below six seconds.

The model may be a test platform for manufacturing techniques that Volkswagen plans to employ on the next-generation Audi MLB platform. The German automaker will likely spread the cost of developing the machine across greener Golf iterations, including a hybrid and an electric model.

Following the debut of the new Mark VII Golf, Volkswagen is set to pull the wraps off of a new GTI Concept at the Paris Motor Show. Though its time in the hot lights is less than a day away, that hasn't stopped the likes of AutoBild from dropping some freshly leaked images of the hot hatch design study on the interwebs.

The "near-production" concept preceding the roadgoing model is a practice that follows suit from the previous GTI debut at Paris in 2008. AutoBild is claiming that the new GTI will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four making 217 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque routed to the buyer's choice of a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch gearbox. The German magazine is also saying that there will be an optional performance package that boosts output to 227 hp. 0 to 62 mph is pegged at 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 153 mph in the standard iteration, while the performance package model is said to make the run in 6.5 seconds, topping out at 155.

While the concept features a bevy of traditional GTI hallmark including a plaid interior and black grille with red pinstriping, the concept extends the red line across the headlights in novel fashion. The concept also features Testarrosa-rific gills as part of the lower front valence (we'll have to wait to see in person to see how we feel about 'em).

Inside, the GTI Concept seems ready to hit the road, with touchscreen navigation, pushbutton start and red stitching on the steering wheel and shift boot.

Though the interior looks very production-ready, only time will tell if the roadgoing version of this iconic performance hatchback looks exactly like what you see here.

New Golf celebrates public premiere at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris

Additional world premieres for near final prototypes of the new Golf BlueMotion and Golf GTI

Wolfsburg / Paris, 27 September 2012 - At the Mondial de l'Automobile starting today in Paris everything at the Volkswagen show area revolves around the new Golf. In showing prototypes of the exceptionally fuel-efficient Golf BlueMotion and especially sporty Golf GTI, both almost ready to go into full production, Volkswagen is also providing a first look at some models of the future.

Available across Europe from the autumn, the Golf is being presented to a broad audience for the first time in Paris. With its larger interior (extra legroom in the back and 30 litres more luggage space), new pioneering safety systems such as multi-collision braking fitted as standard and a proactive passenger protection system (PreCrash), plus completely redesigned information and entertainment systems, Volkswagen is aiming to continue the bestseller's success story. New, fuel-efficient engines like the 140 PS petrol motor with cylinder deactivation and consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (121 g/km CO2) use up to 23 per cent less fuel than their predecessors. Optimisation at this level on the new Golf is, however, not the exception, but the rule: the base models consume as petrol versions (TSI) 4.9 l/100 km (equating to 115 g CO2 /km) and as diesels (TDI) just 3.8 l/100 km (99 g CO2 /km).

By showing the near-production concept of the next Golf BlueMotion, Volkswagen is also giving visitors an insight into some sophisticated and yet affordable fuel-saving technologies. The future Golf BlueMotion excels with impressive average fuel consumption of just 3.2 l/100 km, equating to a CO2 value of 85 g CO2/km. It launches as a full production model in the summer of 2013.

Proof that even sporty vehicles can be fuel-efficient is provided by the new Golf GTI concept car. At just 6.0 l/100 km the seventh generation of the sporty classic again sets a new record. The average fuel consumption of the 162 kW / 220 PS Golf GTI has been reduced in comparison to its predecessor by 1.3 litres or 18 per cent.

A REAL FAMILY CAR WITH 88.3 MPG? MUST BE THE NEW GOLF BLUEMOTION!

Making its motor show debut alongside the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf this week in Paris is one of the world's most fuel-efficient cars: a concept for the new Golf BlueMotion. This is a genuine family car with five seats and all the Golf's traditional attributes of comfort and safety which is predicted to return 88.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 85 g/km of carbon dioxide. The third-generation Golf BlueMotion is set for UK launch in summer 2013.

The first generation of the Golf BlueMotion made its debut five years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, with the car coming to market in mainland Europe at the end of 2007. At that time, the Golf BlueMotion set new standards for its class with a fuel consumption value of 62.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. In 2009, Volkswagen showed the second-generation Golf BlueMotion in Geneva: here was a concept car whose fuel consumption had been reduced to 74.3 mpg and emissions cut to 99 g/km.

The fact that fuel consumption for the third Golf BlueMotion has now been reduced by another 15 per cent and CO2 emissions by 14 grams per km to a class-leading 85 g/km is a reflection of Volkswagen's continuous technical progress. With its 50-litre fuel tank and 88.3 mpg fuel consumption, the new Golf has a theoretical range of 970 miles. Assuming an average annual driving distance of 15,000 km (approx. 9,300 miles), most drivers will only have to refuel ten times a year.

The car's combined fuel consumption has been achieved through innovative lightweight design (including 26 kg less weight in the running gear and 37 kg less in the body), engine-related modifications and a collection of other measures. These include super low rolling resistance tyres with higher air pressure, longer gear ratios (five-speed manual gearbox,the Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems that are standard in all new Golfs, plus specific aerodynamic modifications.

The frontal area of the new Golf was reduced by 0.03 m2 and aerodynamic drag (Cd x A) by nearly 10 per cent. Compared to other Golf models, the aerodynamics of the BlueMotion were also refined by a lowered ride height (by 15 mm), a roof spoiler, lateral air guide elements on the rear window, a masked front grille, partially closed air inlet screens, optimised cooling system airflow, special underfloor panels, optimised brake cooling channels and a C-pillar spoiler. These measures provide the Golf BlueMotion with a Cd value of 0.27, making the car one of the most aerodynamic in its class.

At the heart of the new Golf BlueMotion concept is a 1.6-litre 110 PS TDI from the newly developed EA288 engine series. The four-cylinder 16-valve unit develops its maximum torque of 250 Nm from just 1,500 rpm up to 2,750 rpm.

Various measures such as reduced internal friction, an innovative thermal management system with shortened warm-up phase, exhaust gas recirculation, cylinder pressure sensor, two-stage oil pump, switchable electric water pump and water-cooled intercooler right in the intake manifold result in successfully reducing fuel consumption and emissions. To reduce emissions values further, Volkswagen has also implemented an oxidation catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter and a NOx storage catalytic converter