GTI

Vehicle: 2010 VW Golf GTI 5-doors with Luxury Leather Pkg, Technology Pkg and 18″ alloy wheels
Price as tested: CDN$36605

Performance: “It it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has always been the clue for all the successful model. That’s exactly the dliemma faced by VW when it comes to redesign the benchmark of the hot hatch segment, Golf GTI. Have they successfully redone the Golf GTI? We will find out after this test drive.

While the latest generation of GTI receives a better and improved iteration of the 2.0T, the horsepower figure remains the same for North American market. 200 ponies and 207 lb/ft of torque. The overall refinement has improved significantly when latest EA311 replaces previous iteration’s EE888 2.0T. Both the engine revving quality, refinement and NVH have improved a whole lot especially when pushed the GTI in both low and high rpm. Gone is some of the rattling sound in the outgoing 2.0T, in with much more refined sounding quality engine. With 207 lb/ft of torque arrives at just 1700rpm, there is plenty of bottom end when driver has an urge to used it. As with the previous motor, this engine is completely lack of anything called turbo lag that is so commonly known in many small displacement turbocharged powered cars. The result is the turbo spools right away whenever driver steps on the responsive gas pedal. It also doesn’t lost anything when it comes to mid and upper range thanks to variable valve timing and direct fuel injection technologies. Instead of taking the highly praised DSG gearbox, we decided to take the smooth 6-soeed manual on our latest tester. This 6-speed has to be the best manual has ever made by VW today. The gearlever is precise with nice throw and a progressive clutch. That’s despite the clutch take-off still has VW’s typical high take-up point. In terms of clutch engagement point and release, Honda remains the gold standard in this segment.

Handling: The Mk5 GTI’s dynamic abilities already flawless to begin with, so how does VW able to improve such a great handling hot hatch? VW is able to stiffen up the already exceptional chassis while recalibrating the suspension geometry, the result is something that one has to experienced to feel the difference. As it stands, the steering is sharp and precise, without the usual twitches associate with a performance hatch. The most amazing fact is GTI rides like a luxury car, with the compliant suspension that is able to absorb all the bumps and roughness with ease. It also has a sense of suppleness that one expects from a German ride. When it comes the cornering prowess, there are almost no body rolls and understeer is almost non-existence when pushed. GTI has to be one of the most balanced front-drive hatchbacks I have ever driven. All have done while providing lots of enduring smiles to the driver. ESP remains an uninstrusive type, as it doesn’t step in unnecessarily until driver rears its ugly heads. What makes the GTI handles so balance and agile is the addition of XDS, sort of like an electronic LSD. This system is able to eliminate understeer and put the power to the offending wheel much sooner. While the standard GTI already handled like a dream, the addition of XDS truly makes an even more remarkable difference to the already great driving car. What it does is to use ESP to brake the offending wheel, when its going to get out of line from understeer or oversteer. It is a very nifty system indeed. XDS’s desired result is what makes GTI such a delicately balanced front-driver.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the Golf GTI is able to stop on a dime with ease. The stopping distance is short while pedal has awesome feedback to the driver. The brake pedal feels alive even after a couple of hard stops. Its completely fade-free while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily.

Interior: One of the reasons why GTI is so appealing is because of the availability of 5-door configuration. Not only does the backseat can sit 2 persons comfortably with plenty of head and legrooms, there are also plenty of cargo space when the rear seats fold down.

In the front, the leather sports seats provide wonderful support for both thigh, side and back when playing. Everything else is logical layout right from the touch screen stereo to the auto climate control. In terms of materials, its simply top-notch per VW’s usual high standards. The redesigned 3-spoke sports steering provides plenty of grip with multi-function for stereo and bluetooth connectivity. In short, the entire interior is very well layout indeed.

Conclusion: The new Golf GTI will continue to set the standard when it comes to hot hatches. As it combines amazing handling/ride balance, a superb 2.0T engine and a beautiful interior. It makes us wonder how astounishing the R20 would drive.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 VW Golf GTI
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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: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5

Vehicle: 2007 VW GTI
Price as tested: CDN$29375

Performance: Mk5 GTI is powered by only one powerplant. This 2.0L DOHC turbocharged engine with FSI technology is good for 200 horses and 173 lb/ft of torque. While it “only” has 200hp on paper, it feels more than this figure in real life driving thanks to its torquery nature. The maximium torque arrives at 1950 rpm which is godsent in daily driving. 173 lb/ft of torque also delivers what most drivers wanted in day-in and day-out driving without have to push the engine up the high rpm for maxmium horses. On the other hand, this engine is as willing to rev in redline as its eager down low. Matched with this wonderful little mill is a 6-speed manual gearbox that has good throw and well-defined gates. However, the clutch travel still hard to engage due to VW’s typical high engagement point. It takes time to get used to this engagement point especially during traffic jam, or else, it would get your left leg hurt. If one decided not to go with stick shift, add a grand to the price tag and got yourself a wonderful DSG. This dual clutch sequential gearbox shifts quicker than manual while losing the fun with the awesome paddle shifters that come standard with it.

Handling: Unlike the Euro-spec GTI that I drove back in December, the initial bunch of North American-spec GTI comes standard with 17″ instead of 18″ tires. However, the narrower tires don’t affect much of GTI’s dedlicated chassis dynamics. As you would expect from a GTI, it all starts with a stiff and stout chassis that is free of flex. Matched with the new multil-link rear suspension setting and you got a delightful dynamic package. GTI’s electric steering has always been rated as the best system in the industry, and its rightly so. Its precise, crisp, weights properly and sharp through every turns. Its just so perfect. ESP has high threshold that won’t kicked in until absoultely necessary. Even with 215/45 17″ tires, GTI’s cornering remains flat and stable, understeer is undetectable until you enter a curve in a ridiculous manner. All of this combined with top-notch ride quality that absorbs all sorts of bumps and roughness smoothly without losing the European supple ride. The result is a hot hatch which has ride and handling compromise that shames many of those so-called sports sedans.

Brakes: GTI’s brakes are equally impressive. With standard 4-wheel discs and ABS, the pedal feels solid and firm. True to GTI’s German tradition, its easily modulated and fade-free after couple of hard stops. ABS never kicks in until absoultely necessary is an added bonus.

Interior: Inside the GTI, everything is very logically layout. It starts with a great sets of Plaid cloth seats that offer wonderful supports. Clear and analog instrumentation gauges, stereo placed above climate control are all excellent designs. Everything inside GTI have those tactical, high-quality, substantial feel that is truly Teutonic. The use of high-quality plastic can put many so-called luxury cars to shame.

Even if its a 3-door, back seat is equally comfortable but 3 people is a squeeze back there.

Along with 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and low liftover, the tailgate can also locked it in the highest position for those of us who always need to load luggages in rainy days.

Conclusion: If you are looking for a fun hot hatch that is afforable, fast, handles wonderfully with world-class build quality; there is nothing else better than GTI on the market. When you consider it starts barely below 30 grand, you probably hardly find a better buy anywhere else regardless of price.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 VW GTI
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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: 5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5

Short review of 2002 VW GTI 1.8T 180hp Tiptronic
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180hp + manumatic has given this car a nice boost in terms of performance. However, it still got let down by its somewhat softly sprung tuning even with sports suspension. The overall packaging still feels very good even if this model has entered 4th year of life cycle. The use of interior materials remain the gold standard in the affordable car segment. Styling remains timeless, both inside and out. It remains one of the better cars to buy if you are looking for hot hatch with performance and luxury all in one.

Overall rating: 4.25/5