Volkswagen GTI
A great time indeed |
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By Rick Newman
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Nits: Expensive premium fuel is recommended for best performance.
G forces: The GTI is a whippersnapper. The turbocharged 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine revs from 0 to 60 in less than seven seconds, and it feels faster than that (one of the reasons why small rocket rods are more fun than big muscle cars!) High-strength chassis materials and a sport-tuned suspension make the GTI crisp and rigid on curves, the only drawback being a bit of front-drive torque steer, with the front tires biting the pavement, if you're really racing through tight turns (not that I would ever do this...)
Gizmology: Most affordable sporty cars sacrifice some functionality for performance. The GTI practically does the opposite, with above-average features for a car that starts in the low $20s. The radio rocks, with a six-CD changer and 10 speakers. There's a handy driver-info display that tells you average gas mileage and other useful stuff. And there are thoughtful touches throughout, like a cooled storage box in the center console, so your chocolate bar won't melt on long summer trips.
Kidmarks: As with many sporty cars, there are family tradeoffs. The GTI only comes as a coupe, so kids will have to clamber in through the little gap behind the front seats. And installing a car seat in the back is a hassle. But once back there, kids will be comfortable. There's a center armrest and rear A/C vents, along with cupholders and storage nooks for little toys. And the high hatch, combined with the 60/40 rear folding seat, can be handy for hauling one child plus bulky items like a baby-jog stroller.
Hot or not: Hot. It doesn't look ferocious, but the GTI emotes fun.
Pain at the pump: Modest. Mileage ratings range from 25 mpg/city to 31 mpg/highway, though reasonably good mileage is offset by the manufacturer's recommendation to use costly premium fuel.
Crash course: Not yet crash-tested by the government or other testing groups. Future crash test results and other safety info should be posted at safercar.gov.
Standard safety gear: Advanced frontal air bags, side-impact air bags, side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, stability control.
Price points: Base price is $22,620. Price as tested: $25,065. (Prices include delivery fees.)
More info: vw.com
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Model year tested: 2006
Volkswagen was on the ropes for awhile. In addition to a slew of quality complaints, the German automaker known for building the poor man's BMW had been losing turf it practically invented to affordable funmobiles like the Mazda3, the Honda Civic Si, and even the Scion xA and tC. But VW has bounced back of late, first with the ferocious R32 street racer, then with a punchy new Jetta sedan that's both cute and cunning. And now the new GTI, VW's hallmark sportabout, proves that Volskwagen can still build one of the zestiest cars under $25,000.
I expected the GTI to fly like the wind, and it does. A turbocharged 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine moves the little hatchback like the afterburner on an F-16--except it's far quieter. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual; I drove the automatic, which in this case is a six-speed direct shift gearbox. In a lot of cars, especially inexpensive ones, clutchless shifters are hokey, unnecessary gadgets that provide only the most vague sense of sporty driving. But in the GTI, the Formula 1-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel offer rapid and precise shifting that tangibly improves performance. It felt like I had my fingers right on the car's very pulse, and could rev it up or down at will, a sensation I last experienced on the Mercedes SLK. The GTI handles like a go-cart too, taking just about every curve I could find in an almost carefree manner. Ah, the joy of small, powerful machines! The only performance drawback is front-wheel drive, which causes some grabby bite under extremes, as happens on all front-drive cars.
There's a soft side to the GTI, too. It's lovely and refined inside, with lots of thought to creature comforts. The sport seats fit like Lycra, which isn't unusual for a taut youthmobile. But there are also cushy armrests and other features that pay heed to drivers who might expect a little more pampering. Classy instrumention with red backlighting is handed down from VW's partner brand, Audi, lending an upscale air to the small cabin. And there are a number of innovative touches that seem to be the result of VW engineers spending a lot of time inside their cars asking what could be improved. The GTI's center armrest slides up and down, for instance, to accommodate drivers of different sizes. The lever for flipping the front seats forward is at the top of the seat, not the bottom, so you don't have to bend over. And there are rear A/C vents, a meaningful luxury on a mid-priced car. Usually you give something up for a sporty ride, or you pay a lot to have it all. But the GTI impresses with moxie and manners both.
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