Vehicle: 2008 VW Golf GT Sport with DSG
Price as tested: HK$249000

Performance: There aren’t many carmakers that have produced twinchargers successfully. Both Lancia and Nissan have invested into technologies that combined both turbo and supercharge together about two decades ago, unfortunately, both executed unsuccessfully.

Its time for German to show off their engineering prowess through twincharger technology. This time is from Volkswagen. What twincharger is basically combining super and turbocharger, however, these two chargers spool up at different rpm to boost the low-end torque and higher revving characteristics. The instant throttle reponse. Since our tester is a GT Sport, so it came with a more powerful 170hp of the TSI unit. The less powerful TSI came with a 140hp. The transition between chargers are seamless. It improves the bottom range which usually lacks in low engine displacement. In VW’s guise, its a 1.4 liter DOHC with FSI direct injection technology. The transition between lower supercharger kicks in and upper end’s turbocharger steps in are truly delightful. Both are free of turbo and supercharger lags thanks to the smart German engineering. You won’t feel there is any transformation from super to turbochargers thoroughout the entire rev range. What it really feels is the smooth delivery of power at at rpm. Not to mention 195 lb/ft of torque right from 1750 to 5k rpm is simply astounishing. Without a proper gearbox, all those twincharger technologies are a waste. Nothing better than show out their engineering prowess through the use of the wonderful 6-speed DSG. As we have experienced before, its simply a marvelous sequential gearbox that shifts quicker than any race driver with a clutch and a manual shifter. Its shifting speed and smoothness continue to impress us. Its simply a delightful icing in the cake. Its faster than a 1.6FSI, more flexible than a 2.0FSI and much more refined than the 2.5 liter I-5. What’s not to like?

Handling: Even if our GT comes with sports suspension, it remains a softer alternative to the edgier GTI. I have never driven a current generation of Golf that I dislike. Everything from a base 1.6FSI to the R32 rocketship are true driver’s cars, even with different suspension and chassis calibrations. As with the GT, its sportier than the 1.6FSI with standard suspension. Its more civilized daily driver than a GTI because it doesn’t ride as firmly as its sporty silibing. On the other hand, its electric power steering remains sharp and precise.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, GT’s braking performance continues to perform up to VW’s usual high standards. The stopping distance is short while pedal modulation is excellent.

Interior: Inside the GT, its basically everything else you expect from a Golf. The interior is well-made with exceptional quality use of plastic and leather materials. All the power items are ergonomic-friendly.

Conclusion: Last but not least, its the fuel economy we generated for the twincharger. We had an average of 7 liter per 100km through 70% city/30% highway driving. That’s nothing less than astounishing for a 1320kg hatchback with a 1.4 liter engine. Its like having a cake and eat it too!

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 VW Golf GT
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.75/5