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| Plaid anyone? Who'd want to upgrade to leather with this fabulous retro interior as standard? (Photo: VW) |
The GTI is the complete package in terms of performance, but is also a super contender in the safety arena as well. VW is perennially at the top of U.S. Government and insurance industry safety tests, and the GTI is no exception. With multiple airbags, ESP and traction control, engine braking control (helps prevent compression induced skidding) and a crash optimized body structure, the GTI is a safe bet to haul you or your entire family.
And don't think you will suffer inside because it's a performance coupe, as you can also get the GTI in four-door guise as well. Standard interior treatment includes “Interlagos Cloth” (plaid) on front and rear seating surfaces. Spend a few more bucks and you can treat yourself to a leather trimmed interior, though both are nicely done. Front and rear outboard seats feature supportive bolsters, and even the rear middle seat, long the place no one ever wants to sit in, is comfortable with a supportive backrest. All seating positions get three point seatbelts with pretensioners. VW has taken great steps to make this the quietest GTI ever. In fact, it's so quiet that they had to add artificial engine noise to the interior so that the car's enthusiast roots would not be compromised.
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| It's a cockpit designed around the driver, an inherent Golf trait made really useful in the GTI. And its one size literally fits all! (Photo: VW) |
Other standard goodies include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and brake handle; adjustable centre armrest; heated front seats, side mirrors and windshield washer nozzles; touchscreen MP3/CD audio system with eight speakers and full iPod integration; Sirius satellite radio; a multi-function trip computer and a tire pressure monitoring system. The interior feel is more upscale on this, the sixth generation GTI.
Outside, styling is evolutionary, and that's a good thing. VW paid homage to the original '83 model by including a red trimmed grille with GTI letters. New headlights, bumpers (with diffuser on rear bumper), mirror and door handles, side body sculpting and twin tailpipes set this VW apart from lesser Golf brethren. Wheel choices include standard 17 inchers, or optional 18s.
