PH Fleet: Golf GTI Edition 35
You've heard what Riggers thinks (he loves it) now find out what the rest of the PH team think
GTI now looks beefier on its 18s
I do of course say this with tongue wedged firmly in cheek, because that's a massive call to make without a thorough What Car?-style road test evaluation. And we're not about to start doing that sort of thing on PH. But the point is that I can rarely think of a car whose spread of talents more effectively suits my personal needs and desires, right now, on a more regular basis. So when I call it the 'Best Car In The World', I actually mean the 'Best Car In The World For Riggers, at this particular moment in time'. It's hyperbole, sure, but its does emphasise quite how much this car has got under my skin.
Even so, you're probably a bit bored of my eulogising, and of us going on about the difference between the car's 'all-weather' and 'summer' tyres (a comparison most eloquently made by editor Trent in his recent blog on the subject). So for this report I'm going to hand you over to the other members of the PH team, to give you the benefit of their opinions.
Though the very fact that the keys haven't been in my possession much over the past few weeks should tell you something about the car's popularity, in this office at least. But I digress, so over to my esteemed colleagues:
Dan:
"In most respects I agree with Riggers, because the Golf GTI edition 35 is a great hot hatch. It's got enough power and grip (with its 'proper' tyres on) to move you along at a rapid pace, and it looks good inside and out without being overly ostentatious. And despite being a fan of manual gearboxes in general, I even don't mind the DSG transmission, as it's quick-witted enough to keep you amused and also fully able to play the full 'lazy auto' role when required.
"I do have an issue with the fuel consumption, though. I know it's not exactly an economy car, but we've barely been able to coax an average of 30mpg out of it. That figure can easily drop to the high teens in town, too. With the new 306hp BMW 335i we've been driving recently managing 28.6mpg overall with ease, the Golf could - and should - be doing better than that."
Garlick:
"I took the Golf up to Yorkshire the other weekend and found it to be an excellent long-distance tool. Dan might (quite rightly) complain about the fuel economy, but in comparison to my TVR or Lexus it's positively frugal, and I love the way it uncomplainingly eats away the miles. It also likes a properly fast cruise. I won't tell you exactly how fast, but all cars have a natural cruising 'gait' and the Edition 35 seems to find its natural pace somewhere north of that which Her Majesty's Constabulary approves."
Racing Pete:
"Having run the old PH Fleet Leon Cupra R, I was more than a little sceptical of Riggers's evangelising about the slower, more expensive Golf, but a few days behind the wheel made me realise just how polished a performer it is. Sure, my old Cupra was a lot faster, but it would get ragged over bumpy, twisty roads that the Golf just shrugs off. Funny how essentially the same set of ingredients can result in such different products."
Phil (Clever PH tech type):
"I reckon the Golf GTI makes a good sound, and it feels decently powerful. But the DSG gearbox took some getting used to. My time in the Edition 35 was my first encounter with the VW twin-clutch system and I have to admit I didn't even notice the tiny steering wheel-mounted paddles until the end of my run. That also highlighted the fact that the stubby gear lever, which you push for an upchange and pull for downchange, just doesn't feel natural."
So there you go: the rest of the PH team's view on the PH Fleet Golf GTI. They clearly like it, just not as much as I do. Which is fine, because I'll be trying to hold on to the keys for more of the time from now on...
FACT SHEET
Car: 2011 VW Golf GTI Edition 35
Run by: Riggers
On fleet since: December 2011
Mileage: 9950 miles
List price new: £31,030 (inc. £1770 infotainment pack and £440 for parking sensors front and rear)
Last month at a glance: Winter tyres go south; the Golf proves a popular choice at PH HQ
Previous reports:
Paris road trip proves GTI's impeccable cruising credentials
Golf GTI Edition 35 arrives, complete with wintry rubber
Am I right in thinking there has been more articles about this Golf than any other car on the PH fleet since the beginning of time? It is getting a little bit repetitive now if I'm being honest. (I know you didn't ask )
Truth be told I'd be very pleased indeed if I had an Ed35 to punt around in. I'm sure the DSG is very good also, but I can't help but being reminded of my 2.0 TFSI Octavia vRS I owned for just 6 months - a bit too juicy and a bit too dull. I'm not sure the extra few horses would make it much more interesting either to be honest. Still, a great all rounder for sure.
surprised the fuel consumption is no better, or maybe even worse, than the new 335i though, that's either a poor show from VW, or mighty impressive from BMW; i can't tell which.
I see what you did there.
In a normal manual you pull the lever back when changing from 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th. You push it forward going from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. All upchanges.
So whichever way you have to move it to change up or down shouldn't be a stumbling block. Just get used to it, Shirley.
It's 2012, not 1987.
I see what you did there.
In a normal manual you pull the lever back when changing from 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th. You push it forward going from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. All upchanges.
So whichever way you have to move it to change up or down shouldn't be a stumbling block. Just get used to it, Shirley.
Re the fuel consumption, mine is the manual, and the standard 208bhp version. I see around 33-35 mpg (from the trip, so probably take with a pinch of salt), high 30's, early 40's are doable on a run. To Garlick's point though, it's preferred cruising speed is a little on the high side...
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