Volkswagen Golf GTI

What is it?

The latest Volkswagen Golf GTI may be a new car but the name alone will tell every car enthusiast exactly what to expect.

It’s the successor to six previous generations of Golf GTI that date back all the way to 1976, the year Volkswagen invented the hot hatchback.

There’s plenty to remind buyers of today’s Golf GTI of those successful past models.

The overall shape of the Golf has only seen gentle evolution over the years, and the latest GTI is offered with tartan cloth trim and a dimpled “golf ball” style gear-lever knob that recall the originals fitted to the 1976 car.

On the other hand, there are plenty of changes as well.

The new model makes use of Volkswagen’s super-modern weight-saving modular MQB body architecture. That means the current car is usefully lighter than its predecessor but still weighs a lot more than the first GTI because Golfs are a lot bigger and better equipped than before.

Performance, though, is still pretty lively, thanks to a bang up-to-date 2.0-litre TSI engine churning out 220PS – precisely double the output of the first Golf GTI.

What’s hot?

• Even before it gets its sporty tweaks, the GTI benefits from all of the improvements incorporated into the seventh-generation Golf on which it is based, in particular the weight savings resulting from the adoption of the modular QB platform and the availability of safety systems such as City Emergency Braking
  

  

• Updated engines, with the base car now developing 220PS, an increase of 10PS on the old car – but the 70Nm boost in torque from 280Nm to 350Nm is a more significant change for real world performance and drivability
• Optional Performance pack providing a slightly uprated 230PS engine and high-tech XDS+ electronic diff-locking system as well as other performance mods.
• Great handling on both base and Performance models aided by a new “progressive” variable ratio steering system with just 2.1 turns between locks
• Choice of six-speed manual or self-shifting DSG gearboxes
• Fuel-saving stop-start technology
• Company car tax is a reasonable 19 percent
• The badges – everyone has heard of the Golf and today’s car instantly inherits the kudos attached to the GTI variants built up over almost four decades

What’s not

• While the GTI is a handsome car, some potential buyers may find it a bit too understated – at first glance it doesn’t look much different from the standard car. For other buyers, of course, that will be a plus point rather than a negative.
• Although the Golf GTI represents quite good value for money – its list price is only slightly higher than that of the out-going model – it’s still a good few thousand pounds more expensive than its most obvious rival, the Ford Focus ST.

Business Car Manager road test verdict

The latest seventh-generation Golf GTI is a worthy successor to the 1976 original, scoring on quality, performance, value and all-round ability.

It’s a tempting proposition for company car buyers looking to brighten their working day at the wheel with a bit of fun. And although Ford’s Focus ST is usefully cheaper, the GTI still provides a lot of sensible performance for the money.

On the other hand, though, for high mileage business users it may just be worth waiting for the next sporty car planned for the current Golf line-up to arrive – the diesel-powered GTD.

The GTD badge has a pedigree that stretches back almost as far as that of the GTI and it promises to deliver a GTI-style driving experience in a more company car tax efficient low-CO2 package.

GTI or GTD? It’s a nice choice to have.

The Low Down…

…and what it costs