When you say hot hatch, you say GTI. And when you say GTI, you say Volkswagen. Even though they didn't invent the segment,
but they did make it incredibly big. Also, they became famous with it. I personally have some fond memories of the Golf GTI.
When I was very young, I was really surprised that the first Golf GTI did 110 km/h in second gear.
Also, the first time I hit 200 km/h was in a Golf GTI. A 16V-model, back in the eighties. My only goal was reaching that 200 km/h, and I did it.
This is the eighth generation of Golf GTI, and Volkswagen is pretty much obligated to release a GTI with every new generation.
We're going to drive it today, and we'll find out how it holds up to its competitors with its 245 horsepower.
As always, the GTI has a red line in the grille. It continues into the headlights. Also, the grille features the GTI-badge.
Another unique feature for the GTI, is this LED-light. Nicely inbetween the headlights. It's only turned on if you're driving with dimmed lights.
It's not turned on if you're driving on daylights. Here we've got the new Volkswagen-logo and further down, we've got five spots.
We thought that was daylights, but they're actually fog lights. Five of them. I think a lot of GTI-drivers will turn them on during the day though,
because it looks pretty good. Also, it's very specific for this car.
It's got quite big wheels. 19-inch to be precise, but that's not standard. It comes with 17-inch wheels as standard, which is pretty small for a GTI.
Anyway, if you get the 19-inch wheels, you also get these rubber flaps. I don't like them. Maybe they come off, but I don't see why they're there.
Also, it has red brake calipers. Because it should.
At the back, the GTI-logo is on the middle of the bootlid. Also, it has two huge exhaust pipes. No stylish oval design features,
just two big pipes underneath the bumper. Back in the day, the GTI has a black lining around the rear window, but it's entirely black now.
Anyway, it sure distinguishes itself from the Golf VIII.
What stands out immediately in the interior, is this checkered upholstery. That's a wink to the past. These seats come with integrated head rests.
They're real sports seats with a lot of support. The ceiling and A-pillars are black, which is standard. Optionally, you might be able to select...
lighter upholstery. Over here, we've got the small steering wheel. It has the same buttons as we've seen in the regular Golf,
however they're operated differently. You don't have to press them, but you operate them capacitively. Small touches, sliders, you name it.
It's not incredibly optimal, because you often operate them accidentally. If you move your hand, the volume goes up.
The same goes with operating the multimedia system. You've got these operating sliders. Sure, you'll get used to 'plus' and 'minus'.
But I wouldn't call it optimal. Then there's the gear lever. We've always seen the golf-ball gear lever, but this doesn't...
have that anymore. In the automatic version, you get this switch. So it doesn't have the Golf-ball anymore, but there is a manual available.
That does have a golf ball-like motive on the gear knob. So that's a funny feature.
Other than that, it has a digital instrument cluster. You can configure it completely to your liking. It has a GTI-design, so lots of honeycomb-elements.
Just like in the grille and dashboard. We're able to conclude that the interior clearly distinguishes itself compared to the regular Golf.
Underneath the hood, we've got the engine from the previous GTI Performance. It produces 245 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque.
It does 0-100 km/h in 6,3 seconds, which is a tenth slower than the previous GTI Performance. With the same engine.
The car hasn't increased in size or weight, so that's not the problem. It probably has something to do with environmental things.
It filters more, so it's slower. Or slower, it's a tiny difference. Transmission-wise, you can choose between a manual 6-speed...
or this DSG. A lot of people choose this DSG too, with which you're able to change gear yourself with the flappy paddles.
If you want to drive dynamically, you put it in Sport-mode. And you'll know you've put it in Sport-mode, because the springs become really sturdy.
In Comfort-mode, it's very comfortable. Even on longer distances. But in Sport-mode, the car is very bumpy on short imperfections.
On the other hand, that offers a lot of driving dynamics. You just don't have as much spring travel in Sport-mode.
It's a front-wheel drive car and Volkswagen says they've done almost everything they've could to kill off understeer.
And it's something you notice. It has an electronic limited-slip differential which kicks in when you're going really fast.
But because of the setup of the rear springs, the steering is incredibly sharp. It's progressive as well. So when the steering wheel is in the...
neutral position, it's really relaxed. When you turn further however, the power steering gradually increases which means very direct steering...
in a corner. That's a very nice option. Then there's the adaptive chassis, which is optional. You have to order it on the side.
As a whole, when you put the chassis and gearbox in Sport-mode, it's a very sporty, rapid car to drive. It's not incredibly quick, but...
quick enough. And when it comes to the chassis and the steering, it's a true GTI.
This GTI is a true Golf GTI. A great allrounder, but not a car which immediately makes you enthusiastic. It doesn't blow your mind.
But it's a quick car which steers incredibly nicely. It might not be as sharp as an RS, but that's always been the case. The total package is very good.
It has good practicality, it's very comfortable on long distances, so it does well in every single way. Also, a GTI has always been an icon.
So that's another advantage. And if you want a diesel or an electric version? No worries, there's going to be a GTD and a GTE as well.