The new GTI has been reeling in the awards, compliments, articles etc. It’s great that Volkswagen nailed it and brought back that emotion of the first GTI which started the hot hatch movement!
Starting with 55 vehicles and narrowing down to 10 shows how well this GTI is.
The GTI returned to the 10Best list last year after a 21-year absence. Perhaps this hiatus seems strange for the progenitor of a species we’ve loved since the 1983 original, but the evolution of the series tended toward bigger and softer, with a little more room and considerably less fun. The latest generation is a long way from the no-frills original, but VW has effectively addressed the fun-to-drive factor without diluting the sophistication, roominess, and high-quality feel that are characteristic of this family.
VW’s eager 2.0-liter turbocharged four—200 horsepower, 207 pound-feet of torque—provides brisk propulsion, and the optional paddle-shift twin-clutch DSG lends a racy feel. But the GTI’s most compelling dynamic element is a chassis that delivers the composed, precise responses that come from autobahn breeding. To quote from our May 2007 comparison test: ‘The GTI pours itself down the road, a fluid stream of disciplined control.’
Available in three- and five-door versions, the GTI has an attractive base price, although tempting options such as the DSG can quickly bloat the bottom line. But even at $30,000, the net is still a sophisticated German sports sedan at a bargain price.
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback
BASE PRICE: $23,370–$23,870
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 200 bhp @ 5100 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 207 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed manual with automated shifting and clutch
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 101.5 in
Length: 165.8 in
Width: 69.3 in
Height: 58.4 in
Curb weight: 3200–3250 lb
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city driving: 21–22 mpg”
Via Car and Driver January 2008.)
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