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| There's no mistaking what it is, but the all-new Golf GTI is totally fresh and better than ever. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
The year is 1983, and Volkswagen is about the shake up the economy car world. For in that year, VW took a solid but pedestrian car, the Rabbit, and juiced it up with a higher horsepower engine, larger wheels and tires, and suspension and trim enhancements and called it the Rabbit GTI.
Do you remember photos of early GTIs on racetracks with the inside rear wheel lifted during hard cornering? I do, and was immediately attracted to the car because of its tossable, forgiving nature.
Credit VW with the so-called “hot hatch” movement spawned by the Rabbit GTI. Think Civic Si, Scion tC and assorted Subarus, Mitsubishis, and even some German iron in the form of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, and now out of production Mercedes-Benz C230 Coupe can trace their origins to a corporate whiteboard targeting the performance small car market.
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| Radical wheels might conflict with the tasteful rear styling. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
So mark the original GTI Mk1 as a sales and marketing success for VW. Over the years, there have been several iterations of the car, each with additional levels of performance and refinement. Which brings us to model year 2010, and the all-new GTI.
The 2010 model features new bodywork and several interior upgrades. At the performance heart of the car lies a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, direct injection four, displacing 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. To place it in contrast, the original GTI came with an output that was punchy for 1983 but would be considered anemic today – 90 horsepower.
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| Fabulous interior won't have you missing your premium ride if you plan on moving down market for this ultra-fun hatch. (Photo: VW) |
Horsepower is channeled through a six-speed manual or very impressive dual-clutch “DSG” six-speed sequential manual transmission with paddle-shift manual shifting, which works like an automatic when left in Drive. Inspired by Formula One racing, the DSG tranny uses two computer controlled clutches to shift from gear to gear rapidly, with shifts coming in a lightning fast .01 seconds. With the DSG, you also get VW's version of “Launch Control.” Simply put your DSG in “sport mode,” turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and floor the gas pedal. Take your foot off the brake, and blast off! To help out during spirited back road driving, VW has incorporated a new “XDS” or Cross Differential System into the car which helps compensate for increased wheel spin on the inside wheels to improve traction while cornering quickly. What? No more lifting of the inside wheel? Is this really a GTI? Yes it is, and it's easily the best one yet.
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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.
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| Familiar shape will bring back memories if you've ever owned a GTI before. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
I spent considerable time behind the wheel of the new GTI at the U.S. launch in Atlanta, Georgia. I mention this because I am 6'9” tall, and weigh 275 pounds (124 kilos). At no time did I feel cramped, and had plenty of headroom in the GTI even with the standard glass moonroof. There was even enough room behind my fully rearward driver's seat for someone small in stature to sit comfortably. VW Golf, GTI, and Jetta models have always wowed me with their creative interior packaging. Road manners in the GTI are impeccable, and power comes on in gobs when turbo boost spools up. I drove both the manual and DSG models. For most true enthusiasts, the manual would seem to make sense. But do test drive the DSG, my favorite, as it shifts so smoothly and quickly I didn't miss the manual at all. I was surprised at the number of people during my drive route that stared hard at the car, and obviously knew it was the new GTI. This kind of following all goes back to the original '83 model.
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| Gotta have it! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press) |
When it's time to service your new GTI, you'll be pleased to know that it comes standard with a generous “Carefree Maintenance Program” that includes three years or 60,000 km of no-charge scheduled maintenance. The program includes oil and filter changes, tire rotation, and a host of preventive maintenance checks. GTI's standard vehicle warranties include a 12-year corrosion, three-year/60,000 km limited, and five-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty.
2010 GTI models start at $28,675 for the 3-door and $29,675 for the 5-door. Fully loaded, four door models will come pretty close to $40K. The new GTI fills many roles: mid-life crisis performance machine, sensible family hauler (with a big kick!), and affordable roadway cruiser. It's safe, it's fun, and it's a blast to drive. This new car should give the vintage “Das Auto” talking Beetle you see in VW commercials plenty to talk about.
