When I left you last week I was pondering over whether to get a VW Golf GTI Edition 30 or a Golf R32 as a long termer. After much pondering and a lot of interesting feedback you will see that I went for the Edition 30 (although eagle-eyed members may have known already after spotting it at the Sunday Service). Both Golfs were tempting propositions, but in the end the Edition 30 felt just as quick, more nimble and that little bit more fun.
I have to admit since getting the keys to the GTI I do miss the sound of the R32’s gorgeous V6, which just makes 2.0 turbocharged FSI motor sound all the more flatter when I start it up. That aside there seems little not to like at the moment. The Edition 30, with its extra 30 horses over the 200bhp GTI, feels every bit as fast as
the R32 and is a hoot to drive. It’s only when you park it next to a TVR and a Caterham, as I did at the Sunday Service, that you notice how big the Golf is. This means lots of head room and all round space inside, and you don’t notice the car’s size when pushing on.
The MK5 GTI is the best looking since the MKII and one of the great advantages of a Golf has always been its classlessness – you really could turn up anywhere in it. After the disappointing MK3 and MK4 Golf GTIs, the MK5 grabbed back the hot hatch crown for VW. It is quick, sophisticated and practical. After seeing the white ones on the thread I kind of wished it was that colour, but the Tornado Red grows on you quickly and complements the Golf’s understated but subtly aggressive looks.
The only thing is the Golf’s quality does not come cheap. On the road the GTI Edition 30 is £23,045, but throw in £1,845 worth of DVD, sat nav and other techy bits, as well a multi-function wheel, tinted rear glass, and rear side airbags, and the price is going north of £25,000.The ‘Interlagos’ cloth trim harks back to Golfs of old and the seats are actually more comfortable and supportive than the leather buckets in the R32. There is even an old school 'golf ball' gear knob for an extra trip down memory lane.
The Edition 30 will crack 60mph in 6.8 seconds and go on to a respectable 152mph. But it is through the twisty stuff that the Golf really shines. The steering has more feel than its all-wheel drive brother and the chassis is superb. It has good throttle response and once the turbo spools up the Golf almost catches you out. The delivery is so smooth you don’t notice how much extra speed is being piled on.
The only thing I can’t get used to is the slightly dull sounding engine. Maybe I was spoilt by the R32 or perhaps I’m being picky but it doesn’t sound as sporty as it should. When you shut the boot you don’t know whether it is properly shut unless you open it again, and the big plastic fake air intakes on the front bug me. Apart from that the Golf seems to be ticking all the right boxes, but I will let you know when and if I detect any more foibles.
So far I’ve covered 700 miles in the Golf and tomorrow I’m going to put at least another 300 on it. I look forward to finding out if this GTI really does live up to its name…
Engine capacity (litres / cc) 2.0 / 1984
Power output (PS @ rpm) 230 @ 5500
Max torque (lbs ft/Nm @ rpm) 221/300 @ 2200 – 5200
Fuel economy (mpg) Urban – 25.0; Extra-Urban – 44.8; Combined – 34.4
Basic OTR recommended retail price £23,045.00
Extras - DVD touch-screen satellite navigation/radio system with 6½” colour screen, six-disc CD autochanger in front centre armrest, multifunction computer, 30 GB hard drive, SD card reader, MP3, WMA and DVD video data files compatibility, AUX-in socket for connection to external multimedia sources (e.g. iPod and USB) two rear air vents and cup holders (£1,845); luxury pack – including, electrically foldable door mirrors and reverse activated kerb-view adjustment on passenger’s door mirror (£110); winter pack – includes, headlight washers, heated windscreen washer jets and low washer fluid warning light (£225); rear side air bags (£235); leather multifunction steering wheel (£370); heat insulating tinted rear glass from B pillar backwards (£175)