The Volkswagen Golf GTI will be available to order in the UK from March 26 and first deliveries are expected in June.

European prices have been confirmed at €28,350 (£24,525) but official UK prices have not been announced.

The new model will come in two power outputs from the four-cylinder TSI petrol – 218bhp for the standard GTI and 228bhp for the GTI Performance, which also comes with larger brake discs and a front limited-slip differential.

Both GTI models develop a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The standard GTI accelerates to 62mph in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 152 mph. The GTI Performance has a top speed of 155 mph and needs 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 62 mph.

Both versions are equipped with a Stop/Start system and fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014.

Both come fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and efficiency figures are at 47mpg and 139g/km CO2.

With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the two GTI models achieve fuel consumption figures of  44.1 mpg 43.5mpg respectively (equivalent to 148 and 149 g/km CO2).

Standard equipment includes red-painted brake callipers, two chrome tailpipes and sports suspension.  The exterior features 17-inch ‘Brooklyn’ alloy wheels with 225/45 size tyres (18-inch ‘Austin’ alloys will be standard in the UK), special side sills, a rear diffuser and smoked LED rear lights, along with LED numberplate illumination. UK specification will also include bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Interior equipment includes sports seats with the classic tartan cloth upholstery, sports style steering wheel, gear level, instrument cluster, a black rooflining and red ambience lighting.