Not sure if I read it or if I made it up, but doesn't the US spec GTi also make do with torsion beam rear suspension instead of the usual multi-link rear suspension that we get here?
From VW’s USA website for the GTI;
Front Suspension; Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers, 24-mm-diameter anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension; Multilink with coil springs, telescopic dampers, 20-mm-diameter anti-roll bar
The yanks are even realistic about the mpg. City 25 and Highway 33.
USA owners would probably sue VW if the mpg claims weren’t realistic - some motor manufacturers have been successfully sued in the US for making false / unrealistic mpg claims.
Are those yank mpgs based on US gallons?
Yes, they are. Figures quoted on VW’s USA website for the GTI;
City; 25 mpg
Highway; 33 mpg
Combined; 28 mpg
Which would equate to a UK mpg of;
City; 30
Highway; 39.6
Combined; 33.6