Thursday 4th June 2009

VW Golf GTI: UK Drive

PH's Matt Rigby unleashed in VW's latest GTI

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If you want to get a handle on the new Golf GTI, nip down to your local VW showroom and sit in one. You don’t need to drive it, you don’t even need to pore over the spec sheet, because the front seats pretty much tell you exactly what the Golf GTI is all about.

A GTI on the Continent - we drove it here!

The seats hug and squeeze in an appropriately sporty manner, the signature tartan pattern of the seat fabric (of non-leather versions) would look odd in any other car, and the quality and feel of the chairs are impeccable. They also feel supremely - and immediately - comfortable.

And there lies the nub of the sixth incarnation of the Golf GTI. The red piping around the grille and four-square stance leave you in no doubt about its identity, but the expensive-looking cabin trim and those super-comfy seats hint at the fact that, rather like the BMW M3, the Golf GTI has become a more luxurious, high-end product than its terrier-like ancestors. Question is, has the change in character made the Golf a more desirable proposition, or has it lost a little of its thrilling edge?

If only Riggers had taken some pics...

Firing up the all-new EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (as already seen in various Audis) isn’t particularly encouraging. VW has developed what it calls a ‘sound generator’, which is a device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving. Unfortunately, the only result of this is that what is a dull-sounding but refined engine note at a steady cruise becomes slightly less refined when you stretch the GTI’s legs.

Perhaps I’m being a bit cruel, though, because apart from the new 208bhp 1984cc engine (it shares a swept capacity with the engine from the Mk5, but brings modified pistons and piston rings, a new induction system, a high-pressure fuel pump and an uprated oil pump) is a fine motor. It’s smooth, linear, and has a relentless thrust all the way through to the red line. If it had a little more aural character, it would be a real winner.

...we wouldn't have had to recycle these.

As for the chassis, there’s certainly no shortage of grip, and the ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable. All of which is fine for most of the people most of the time. The thing is, where the Mk5 Golf GTI really shone was that it brought back fun to the Golf GTI experience for the first time since the Mk2. Somehow, however competent the new Golf GTI is, fun always seems to be on the back burner.

Wind up the GTI coming off a tight roundabout, for instance, and the car grips, but the nose feels as if it wants to skip wide all the time.

Our advice is to leave the adjustable dampers in standard mode. In comfort the body control deteriorates a little, with noticeable heave and float over crests and undulations in the road, while sport mode feels a little nuggety, without bringing noticeable improvements to body control, at least on the road.

South of France looks nice though.

The steering is another minor disappointment. The wheel itself is the most fantastic device. From the shape, to the different leathers, to the chunky, embossed metal GTI logo on the lower spoke (which I could not stop fiddling with) it’s a tactile and visual sensation. In all seriousness, I cannot think of a steering wheel that has appealed to me more than the Golf GTI’s at any price point.

Unfortunately, despite a pleasing, chunky weighting, the steering itself isn’t inspiring. It’s accurate enough, but it doesn’t feel particularly sharp on turn-in, nor does it tell the driver a great deal about what’s going on beneath the front wheels.

Maybe if we said it was Torquay...

As an object to own, the latest Golf GTI’s credentials are impeccable. It looks and feels every inch a Golf GTI, yet manages to be as luxurious, practical and comfortable as anybody could expect a hot hatch to be.

As an everyday mode of transport the GTI is also nigh on perfect. This is a car you could commute in everyday, or do a cross-continent motorway slog without feeling so much as a back twinge.

But does the Golf GTI cut it as a thrilling hot hatch? To succeed on that front it should be an exciting, terrier-like driving machine that you want to fling at your favourite B-road again and again. Sadly, however fast, grippy and composed it is, that hot hatch X factor - the urge to drive it, and drive it hard for no particular reason other than recreation - doesn’t quite come through.

UPDATE: I've finally got my hands on some UK shots...

A Golf GTI, this time in RHD	GTI heritage is unmistakable
'Those' seats again	Profile isn't the most exciting angle
There's still plenty of grip...	...and plenty of dynamic composure

 

[MogulBoy]

So the "Gold GTI" is bronze?

[AshG]

My initial thoughts over this are "Hmmm....have VW made the Mk6 Golf less engaging to drive so as not to encroach on the Scirocco's sporting capabilities?"

[Gsink]

They really have went all out on the styling it looks the same as the old one, could have at least gave it new wheels??

[steedy27]

"VW has developed what it calls a ‘sound generator’, which is a device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving"

Is that for real???

[loomx]

Developed!? lol. It been around for ages. Its in the Old Z4, R56 Cooper S and lots of other cars.

[Staffy1984]

VW doesn't really compete in this market any more, not up against the likes of the new Focus RS (looks to be real special), Vauxhall VXR (for all its faults ie Swine like Torque steer), even the Clio sport cup has only 8 bhp less but its got a similar front end set up to the new focus so why has VW turned what used to be an angry german hand grenade (explosive but fun) into soft sh@t. It doesn't make any sense to me, but then again the only golf's i'd buy are MK 1's & 2's.

Unless VW start changing the front suspension set up on the Golf and scirocco they're not gonna be able to run the kind of power that the competition does, and the competition get more powerful and handle better each year, whilst the legend that is the golf GTI slowly fades into memory.

[V88Dicky]

steedy27 said:

"VW has developed what it calls a ‘sound generator’, which is a device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving"

Is that for real???

And if it is for real, couldn't they have made it sound like a V6/8/12?

[_Neal_]

Isn't a

"device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving"

simply the engine itself?

[r1ch]

_Neal_ said:

Isn't a

"device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving"

simply the engine itself?

I don't know, does this mean the device creates an artificial noise?

I'm sold on the looks, but i can't imagine owning one and going for a drive in it, simply for the sake of having a blast. Seems like the golf has continued the trend to try and be the best all-rounder. Quick, comfy, safe, etc etc.

[morgrp]

What are the uk prices for the GTI? anyone know yet? - I'd take a VRS Skoda - cheaper, same chassis and engine as the MK5, not to mention better looking and more practical

[willcrookz]

morgrp said:

What are the uk prices for the GTI? anyone know yet? - I'd take a VRS Skoda - cheaper, same chassis and engine as the MK5, not to mention better looking and more practical

I presumed it was already out! i've seen a few on the roads.

Not sure what to replace my MK5 Gti with as my daily inconspicious driver.

[Hub]

Staffy1984 said:

VW doesn't really compete in this market any more, not up against the likes of the new Focus RS (looks to be real special), Vauxhall VXR (for all its faults ie Swine like Torque steer), even the Clio sport cup has only 8 bhp less but its got a similar front end set up to the new focus so why has VW turned what used to be an angry german hand grenade (explosive but fun) into soft sh@t. It doesn't make any sense to me, but then again the only golf's i'd buy are MK 1's & 2's.

Unless VW start changing the front suspension set up on the Golf and scirocco they're not gonna be able to run the kind of power that the competition does, and the competition get more powerful and handle better each year, whilst the legend that is the golf GTI slowly fades into memory.

It isn't the flatgship anymore anyway - the new 'R' model I guess will be targeted towards the more powerful competition

[Hub]

And as for price, it is about £22k basic I think - and £1000 more than the equivalent Scirocco! Add any options and the price quickly goes up!

[fathomfive]

_Neal_ said:

Isn't a

"device situated on the engine side of the bulkhead that receives signals from the engine management system to produce an ‘authentic’ sound track during spirited driving"

simply the engine itself?

You would think so, wouldn't you?

[iggletiggle]

Hub said:

And as for price, it is about £22k basic I think - and £1000 more than the equivalent Scirocco! Add any options and the price quickly goes up!

have a feeling list starts at around 24k for these..?

i had a drive in a demo locally and the guy said the car i drove was £26k list ..!!!! and it didnt even have leather..

[s33gav]

I saw one of these at the VW garage up for sale for 27k. 27k, are they off their head?! That's serious money, yes it's a good car but 27k is silly money. Obviously this must have been specced very highly but surely thats r32 (r?) money.

In comparison my CTR was 17k with a few options and no way is the Golf GTI worth 10k more.

I agree they could have done something different with the wheels. No doubt it'll sell like hot cakes though.

Edited by s33gav on Thursday 4th June 12:20

[alex789]

Surely the idea of the GTI is that its a fairly understated comfortable hot hatch that you can use every day and thats the market its aiming at. However good the Focus RS it would be just a little bit too thirsty and chavved up dare I say for the majority of people in everyday driving.

[steveb8189]

OK, enought about the seats! My Gran would buy a car based on the seats but unfortunately for VW, I have other criteria that aren't really met.

[Gridl0k]

alex789 said:

Surely the idea of the GTI is that its a fairly understated comfortable hot hatch that you can use every day and thats the market its aiming at. However good the Focus RS it would be just a little bit too thirsty and chavved up dare I say for the majority of people in everyday driving.

Which proves exactly the point that the GTi has become purely a marketing exercise. The Mk5 addressed this, by all accounts the Mk6 has reverted to the Mk3/Mk4 badged up special.

I bet the bd thing doesn't even cock its rear wheel into roundabouts..

[baz1985]

Spec it properly and it's £30k......FFS........

A lightly used 8P S3/3.2 or MkV R32/GTi the way to go perhaps.