By Date By Make
 New price guide  From £20,360
 Engine  1,984cc, four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, 16-valve, petrol.
 Transmission  Front-wheel drive, six DSG automatic.
 Brakes  Ventilated discs, with ABS, EBD and BA.
 Steering  Electro-mechanical power assisted.

Suspension

  Fully independent
 Dimensions
 Length 4,216mm, w 2,000mm; h 1,466mm.

 Weight

  Approx 1,336kg
 Fuel capacity  55 litres (12.098 gallons) range approx 290 miles.
 Summary
Ask a group of people to name a hot, sporty, hatchback, and the betting is that the Volkswagen Golf GTi will be the most common answer.

Countless motoring tests have cited the Golf GTi as the class leader, the benchmark machine that all rivals have to aspire to beat.
There have been five generations of the GTi, dating back to the late 1970s.

Each one has proved a roaring sales success. But, with the value of hindsight, I can truthfully say that the first and latest models represent the true rendition of what a hot hatchback is all about.

The truth is that successive models have generally grown more portly as the creators attempted to pile in user comfort items that, though welcome, actually contributed to additional weight and bulk as the body size increased.
Both are performance and fuel sapping factors.

This fact was brought home to me when Volkswagen kindly loaned me a lovingly restored version of the Mk 1, immediately before my test of the 2006 Mk5 version.

Of course there were no driver aids on that venerable car, no ABS or traction control, no power steering and even the windows had to be wound up and down by hand.

Amazingly, this veteran appeared to be a quick and competent performer by modern day standards. It handled like a dream, and above all, felt surprisingly modern. I enjoyed the experience and can fully appreciate why examples are still loved by enthusiastic owners.
Does that say much for the latest Golf GTi? Bluntly, yes, the charisma is back at long last.

Importantly, Volkswagen have made a great effort to provide a true interpretation of a hot hatchback; one that fully deserves the accolade of a near class leader for driving performance and executive class lifestyle.

 
 Styling

The pedigree of this one starts with a modern and versatile platform that is also used by a number of other successful cars in the Volkswagen family.

Around it has been built a very rigid three-door, stylish-looking body, using fully galvanised steel. It has been constructed, finished and trimmed to the exactingly high standards now taken for granted with all VW products.
 
 Performance

The engine is a successor to the previous model’s power unit. It has been stretched to a full two-litre capacity, employing the company’s FSI direct fuel injection technology and fitted with an intercooled turbocharger.

The result is an output of 197bhp, that may not be class leading, but produces a very satisfying turn of performance - a claimed 146mph, with 62 mph (100kph) reached from rest in a mere 6.9secs. Power delivery is smooth with no violent interception from the turbocharger.

What is more, the fuel consumption is far from excessive, all factors considered, at around 35mpg under mixed conditions.

Drive goes to the front wheels either via a six-speed manual gearbox, or as tested, the highly acclaimed DSG sixspeed transmission. It allows for fully automatic use or straight through manual selection without the use of a foot-operated clutch.
 
 Interior

It is this mechanical set-up that makes one realise that automotive technology has moved on so much — in this case, without overly
sanitising the driving feel of the car.

Sit in the figure-hugging driving seat and appreciate a few factors like the excellent ergonomics, the good-looking but functional blue/red instrumentation, and the way this car becomes one with the driver when in motion. It’s all there.
 
 Ride and Comfort

The ride is a bit on the firm side. The noise levels can include both the big chunky tyres on certain road surfaces and/or the grunt of the willing power unit exhausting through the large, twin chrome pipes. However that noise is perfectly offset by high levels of driver enjoyment and involvement.

The specification is generous, highlighted by a six air bag system, ABS, ESP stability control, brake assist, remote central locking, dual zone airconditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels. 

has got a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.


 
 Overall

Of course, life has moved on, and the Golf GTi is now more strongly challenged by hot hatchbacks from an increasing number of car makers.

I suspect the designers may have wisely re-assessed that golden oldie when developing this one.