GTI; three little letters that, in any other order, wouldn’t spell anything more meaningful than “git”, but when arranged in this particular order spell out one of the more legendary badges in motoring history. Especially to any fan of the Hot Hatch genus.
Now the car that took the concept of the Hot Hatch to the world has returned in its latest guise – the Volkswagen Golf GTI is here now and it is remarkably good.
We head over to the Taupo race track, via a night in Rotorua, to find out for ourselves.
What is it?
While the Golf GTI cannot lay claim to inventing the Hot Hatch segment, it is most definitely the car that took the concept to wider popularity around the world with its now genre-defining blend of sharp FWD handling mixed with a powerful engine in an otherwise ordinary hatchback.
Now that the seventh-generation Golf has dropped in with its remarkable levels of quality, ability and specification, along with its simply stunning pricing structure, big things were expected from the GTI.
And, on paper, it has certainly delivered, with Volkswagen NZ choosing not to drop the price in line with the rest of the Golf range, but rather jam in even more spec for largely the same money as before.
The Golf GTI is available as a single model, with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 162kW of power and a mighty 350Nm of torque (from 1,500rpm!). This is hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, although a manual will be available as a special order.
The DSG-equipped car will rocket to 100km/h from a standing start in 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 244km/h. Fuel consumption is a remarkably reasonably 6.4L/100km.
The GTI clocks in at $59,750 and for that money you get an impressive raft of kit as standard, including 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control with a speed limit function, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, an 8-speaker audio system with a 5.8-inch proximity sensor touch screen, CD drive, SD card slot, iPod integration and navigation, a leather multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles, sports front seats with “Clark” (the traditional GTI tartan-esque design) upholstery and VW’s “Driving Profile” selection that alters throttle and transmission response, as well as suspension settings if the optional ($2,000) DCC adaptive chassis control is equipped.
What’s it like?
Ridiculously good.
The Golf GTI has pretty much always been a brilliant steer, but the seventh-gem model takes things to a whole new level.
Given that it now has the same torque output as the feral sixth-gen Golf R, the GTI is an absolute rocketship through the gears as it roars and spits its way towards the horizon.
That’s right; roars and spits. The engine and exhaust sound fantastically belligerent in a way that angry turbo VWs have a wonderful way of doing, and the traditional exhaust ‘pop’ between the lightning-fast gear changes has become a full-on boom here. It sounds brilliant and certainly lets people know when you are coming and in a hurry…
The traditionally GTI perky, sharp handling is present and correct and, despite the power hike, still feels fresh and eager to dive into a corner and power out again with minimal drama. The steering is fantastically sharp and boasts impressive feel, while the chassis is a light-footed delight through the corners.
What’s good about it?
It does literally everything the hallowed GTI badge suggests and then some. It is fantastically quick, yet still feels eminently controllable and lithe, just like a good Hot Hatch should. The level of specification is good for a car of this price, even though it is worth the price just for the fun factor alone. With DCC adaptive chassis control equipped, the ride in ‘Comfort’ mode is amazing, while sharpening it up with ‘Sport’ produces tangible results.
What’s not so good?
You really do need to pay the extra $2k for the DCC, otherwise the standard ‘sporty’ ride would get a bit much around town or over broken roads. Still, if you didn’t try a car equipped with DCC you probably wouldn’t notice all that much; it is only in comparison that the standard car suffers.
First impressions?
Deeply impressive and very much worthy of both its asking price and the legendary GTI badge.
Immensely fun and yet immensely capable as an everyday car, the GTI combines the best of the new Golf and the power and handling of a true sports car.
If our experience at the Taupo race track is anything to go by, the Golf GTI would make an almost-perfect all-in-one track day car; drive it to the track, thrash the hell out of it and then drive it home again, with no compromise in either direction.
Specifications
Models/prices
Golf GTI – $59,750
Powertrain
2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol producing 162kW/350Nm; six-speed dual-clutch transmission; front-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 6.5l/100km
CO2 emissions: 148g/km
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 star
Air bags: 7
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
