Tuesday 29th May 2007

More aggressive sporting Golfs

VW adds GTi-ness to it's warm Golf models

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The new Golf GT Sport

VW is giving a little more attitude to its range of warm-hatch Golfs.

The firm has combined the two tiers of ‘GT’ and ‘Sport’ into a single new model known as, wait for it…‘GT Sport’.

It now looks closer to the GTi and R32 models at the front, with a darkened grille section, darkened head lights and front fog lamps.

In profile, you can spot a the new GT Sport by the subtle tint to the rear windows and a set of 17-inch multi-spoke ‘ClassiXs’ alloy wheels fitted with 225/45 R17 tyres.

At the rear twin chrome exhausts on the 170 PS models are joined by discreet ‘GT Sport’ badges.

Inside, a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake are fitted along with front sports seats, automatic light sensing headlights and rain sensing windscreen wipers. The models also get Climatic air conditioning, a CD stereo system with eight speakers and electric windows. Six airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) complete decent levels of standard equipment.

The innovative 1.4-litre TSI engine which utilises both a supercharger and a turbocharger is available in 140 PS and 170 PS guises; the other choice is a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine which shares the same outputs of 140 PS and 170 PS. Both petrol and diesel engines are available mated to a choice of six-speed manual or DSG transmissions.

The new Golf GT Sport will be available in both three and five-door body styles when deliveries start later in the summer, joining the existing S and Match trim levels in the Golf model range. Prices are set to start at £17,422 for the entry-level three-door variant specified with a 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS engine, rising to £21,352 for the five-door model fitted with the 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS engine with DSG transmission.

[mulletmark]

See, for me part of the charm of the Golf GT is that it didn't look like a quick motor. Much like the 130bhp TDI polo's

[PhantomPH]

Not sure the alloys on that Golf in the pic are only 17" - unless they have done something to the suspension.

Have a look at the below pic (my REAL GTI - none of this GT nonsense ) with 18's on. I suspect that is typical of all car manufacturers - advertise one thing, with a picture of another. (standard car vs one with options ticked)

[rimmer]

i like it as its very subtle and most people wouldnt realise that it is a quick golf rather than just a standard one.

[aka_kerrly]

£21k for a 170PS GT Sport, a car that is not as fast or that looks quite the part, isnt it a bit much you can spend over 20K on a new golf and not have a GTI!!!!

id rather have a few months or year old GTI or R32 for that kind of money!

[NiallOswald]

Bugger that, I'd buy a Focus ST. And take out shares in BP

[sprinter885]

NiallOswald said:

Bugger that, I'd buy a Focus ST. And take out shares in BP

Absolutely- or even a manic Astra VXR + change. £21.5K ? a bit of a joke-but isn't it rather typical of VW these days. Maybe now Porsche has a bigger hand they want VW to be as relatively profitable??

[Windymiller]

Wow! So they've made it 2% less bland?! Must rush out to get one. Not.

[Gold]

That front styling is absolutely wonderful though

[clonmult]

Windymiller said:

Wow! So they've made it 2% less bland?! Must rush out to get one. Not.

2%? Surely it can't be more than 1.5%?

[mulletmark]

PhantomPH said:

Not sure the alloys on that Golf in the pic are only 17" - unless they have done something to the suspension.

Have a look at the below pic (my REAL GTI - none of this GT nonsense ) with 18's on. I suspect that is typical of all car manufacturers - advertise one thing, with a picture of another. (standard car vs one with options ticked)

Gotta say, looking again now the alloys on that Golf GT do look to be a bit of a poor photoshop effort.


Check out the camber on the front wheel - that just looks wrong.

[bubster]

Ok, running to the defense of VW here, I've got a 170 GT TDI with DSG and 18" alloys and its awesome, its as quick as my mates GTI! yes the current model!

The alloys on the pic are of 17" alloys as I had them on my last one!

Perhaps the fact that I'm an Aftersales Manager for a VW dealer has influenced my opinion but I think I am more objective than that

[PhantomPH]

bubster said:

Ok, running to the defense of VW here, I've got a 170 GT TDI with DSG and 18" alloys and its awesome, its as quick as my mates GTI! yes the current model!

No it isn't. You just think it is.

As a VW employee, are you able top explain why the 17" alloys on that GT fill the arches better than the 18" alloys on my GTI? Have they changes the suspension setup of the sport to lower the car?

[hugoagogo]

'shopped

here's a pic of a diesel GT with 17" wheels


the blue car's wheelrims come right up to the top of the bumper, the silver one's don't

Edited by hugoagogo on Tuesday 29th May 14:09

[bubster]

Now then, one following the other and the gap between them stays the same and when asked if he had his foot on the floor he said yes, i think that constitutes more than it being in my mind!

The suspension is lowered on the GT but not any lower than the Gti or as low as a GTi Edition 30!

[space_cowboy]

That is clearly a photoshop, look at the light reflection on the car compaired to the shop, plus the centre of the wheel is off centre to the disc break.

[adycav]

£17.5k for a 140ps hatch!!

That is EXACTLY what I paid for my brand-new Focus ST2. VW really do trade on their supposed 'premium brand' image in the UK, whereas in mainland Europe they are regarded as a mainstream manufacturer.

In addition, a lot of these sub-GTI type models (especially VWs) tend to be driven by arseholes with a point to prove.

[GolfGT_Girl]

I am so confused as mine has all of that above execpt for tinted windows and tinted lights, whats going on????

[baz1985]

Its the mkV facelift then. R36 probably beckons too.

[kmpowell]

baz1985 said:

R36 probably beckons too.

There will be no R36 in the MK5, the engine does not fit the bay, fact. To comply with safety regulations they would have to extend the arches and raise the bonnet substantially - which would result in more cost for an already expnsvie car to produce. The project was abandoned months ago as not cost effective and will only be re-started when the MKVI is released next year.

VW US made a statement to it's customers surrounding this after VWVortex were anal enough to measure up the 3.6 and the current bay.

[NiallOswald]

bubster said:

Ok, running to the defense of VW here, I've got a 170 GT TDI with DSG and 18" alloys and its awesome, its as quick as my mates GTI! yes the current model

Hmm - on paper there's a significant gap. You sure he wasnt' a couple of gears up on you at the time?

I have to say I've not read anything particularly complementary about the refinement of the 170 TDI - what would you say about that?