VIDEO: Wendy reviews the Golf Gti

 

Why have an ordinary Golf when you can have the iconic Gti?

 

That’s what half of all Golf buyers in South Africa think - apparently we set a record in that around 50% of Golfs sold here over the years have been GTis.

 

And it’s been a lot of years - almost 40 - since the first of these coveted hot hatches went on sale.

 

You’ve got to have pretty deep pockets to go Gti these days. The standard price for the manual is R368 300. 

 

But the nice to have extras pile on the price, of course. This test model costs almost R414 000, thanks to the addition of spec such as the panoramic sunroof, extra special sound system, park distance control, keyless entry and - the priciest of the lot, at around R10 000 - adaptive chassis control. 

Earlier GTi models used to be something of a wild ride for the uninitiated. A boyfriend of mine had a red one in the mid-80s: his prized possession. I vividly recall the first time he let me occupy the driver’s seat, warning me to grip the steering wheel tightly because of torque steer.

 

“If you weren’t awake you were in the bush,” is how he recalls it. 

 

Luckily I was awake.

 

The GTi 7 has been critisised for not being all that different from the GTi 6, but Gti fans would scoff at that: it’s got new 18-inch wheels, and a new bumper design, with the signature red strip running not just across the honeycomb grille but into the headlights too.

 

The new GTI is also 42 kg lighter than the Gti 6, and it has a longer wheelbase and wider tracks. Hard to spot, I concede.

 

Telling the GTi apart from regular Golfs is a synch - it has side sills, a rear diffuser and smoked LED rear lights, dual exhaust pipes and a bigger roof spoiler.

 

Oh, and GTi badging, of course.

 

INSIDE

 

The interior is classy with a bit of bad boy menace about it - think deep bucket seats with obligatory red stitching; the Scirocco R’s leather steering wheel, and the gear knob is once again a golf ball. Endearingly kitch.

 

THE DRIVE

 

Oh yes...! I’ve driven quite a number of sporty hatches in recent weeks, and really enjoyed all of them. But this would be my pick of the bunch. I love its understated looks; it’s definitely not trying too hard, this GTi, it’s a car with nothing to prove. You either get it, or you don’t.

 

Its power is similarly non-dramatic - it’s fast but beautifully poised, refined and controlled. And super smooth.

 

If you’re thinking that sounds bland, it’s not. Especially not in Sport mode. Forsake the more fuel frugal Eco, Normal and Comfort modes for Sport and the car responds with a delectable exhaust growl, and a stiffening and sharpening of the steering, throttle and suspension. 

 

It’s very difficult to de-select that option.

 

There is a DSG version of the GTi, of course, and four out of five GTis sold here will be that auto.

 

Yes, it’s an amazingly responsive gearbox, and traffic conditions make autos make a lot of sense. But oh, this six-speed manual is such a joy. Precise, smooth, perfectly mated to the engine - it really hit my sweet spot. 

 

THE ENGINE

 

Like the previous two GTis, it has VW’s turbocharged 2,0-litre engine, putting out, in the SA model, 162kW, with 350Nm of torque - 70 more than the Gti 6. Much of it is available low down, which makes it feel a lot perkier and a lot more gutsy in the corners.

 


Speaking of corners, the GTi’s electronic diff and two-stage stability control makes it glue to the road remarkably well. 

 

How fast is it? 6.5 seconds from 0 to 100 kays - slightly quicker than the old model. And of course it’s more fuel efficient with it - 18% more. Its claimed combined consumption is six litres per 100 kays in the manual.

 

At R368 000, the GTi is more expensive that the Focus ST and cheaper than the Opel Astra OPC. 

 

I think VW ought to be more generous with the standard features on this car - park distance control shouldn’t cost R3000 extra, for example - but otherwise I can’t fault this car. 

 

It hangs together beautifully - the perfect mix of power, comfort and refinement. 

 

Love it, love it, love it.

 

THE NUMBERS



Engine: 2,0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol


Power: 162 kW at 5 300 r/min


Torque: 350 N.m at 1 700 r/min
0-100 km/h: 6,5 seconds


Fuel consumption: 6 l/100 km
CO2: 139g/km


Top speed: 244 km/h
Price: R368 300 (DSG: R382 800)


Warranty: 3 years.120 000km

Service plan: 5 years/90 000 km
Service intervals: 15 000 km

 

- Wendy Knowler