Wolfsburg/St Tropez  - The sixth generation of the VW Golf GTI hits European showrooms this month after the official presentation in the French resort of St Tropez last month fitted with a 155 kW/210 turbo engine with a top speed of 240 km/h.

Volkswagen lists the selling price in Germany at 26,650 euros (35,900 dollars) with the four-door version costing an additional 750 euros (1,000 dollars). The sales start in North America and Asia will follow later this year.

The first GTI built in 1976 was fitted with a 1.6-litre engine with an output of 81 kW/110 hp. The latest version weighs 500 kilogrammes more and has an additional 74 kW/100 hp output but a consumption down ten per cent at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres, according to VW.

Interior features include standard sports seats. Leather seats are available as an option. A lumbar support integrated in the seats is positioned by a lever on the side of the seat. For safety, whiplash- optimized head restraints (WOKS) are also on board to counteract whiplash in an accident.

The pedals are in brushed stainless steel caps. Other features include a customized GTI gearshift lever in aluminium, a leather steering wheel with grip recesses and GTI emblem.

The decorative inserts in the doors and instruments are also customized with "Black Stripe" style elements - black, high-gloss accents in metallic look. (dpa)