Volkswagen Golf GTI DSG 2010 review

How to make the Volkswagen Golf R feel a little lardy and quiet? Jump into the lively GTI.  There's no doubting the R is anything but tardy, but the GTI has more brattish upstart about it.

I'm a big fan of proper all-wheel drive systems, not these reactive front-drivers, and the R was certainly worthy, but there's something a little more entertaining about the GTI.  It could be the tartan interior that harks back to the original VW Golf GTi of several decades past.

What was supposed to be a special-edition small production run has now racked up more than 1.7 million sales globally and it has long been the benchmark hot hatch.

Pricing

Dwelling in the lower half of the $40,000 bracket when fitted with the DSG, the GTI isn't exactly on its own in the segment, with competition from it's own backyard and Japan.

The features list has dual-zone climate control, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, red and black tartan cloth trim, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom sports steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls, 17in alloy wheels, but absent from the list is satellite navigation (a $2500 factory option) and Bluetooth - something that is not just a GTI problem within the Volkswagen group.

Technology

Given the sixth-generation Golf range is evolution rather than revolution there's not massive changes between the old and the new outside, but top of the pops in new gear beneath the skin is the GTI's Extended Electronic Differential Lock, XDL in VW-speak.

The XDL system improves traction and combats understeer - two things that can make or break a front-drive pocket rocket.  The new GTI is the most powerful yet but its emissions have dropped by 19g/km and fuel use is down from over 8 to 7.6 litres per 100km.

The GTI can be further tweaked with the addition of $1500 worth of adjustable dampers, which given recent experience in other Golf models with the system would take the edge off the ride around town, which can be on the firm side.

Design

The GTI sits a little lower than the standard model and is distinguished by a new front bumper, front foglights, a model-distinct grille with GTI badge and a rear diffuser - it all adds up to a hot hatch look that reflects its ability. 

We're in the three-door GTI and it gets longer doors, which weigh a little more and mean the stretch back for the seatbelt is a long way, even for someone with arms on the long side.  The entry to the rear seats is reasonably wide and there's decent space in the rear.

Safety

The little hatchback has a solid feel that is typical of the VW breed and imbues a confident frame of mind for the occupants.  The passive side of the safety equation includes driver and front passenger airbags, a driver's knee airbag, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes (with red brake calipers), emergency brake assist and pre-tensioner-equipped load-limited front seatbelts.

The driver gets electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist, traction and stability control, the standard electronic diff lock and the extended version.

Driving

The fun factor in one of these hot hatches can not be underestimated.  Where supercar owners need racetracks to get the best from their mortgage-priced machines, the appeal of these hatches is felt daily.

Nipping through traffic is easy on the broad torque surge offered and sport mode makes taking gaps cheekily easy.  There's more refinement but some of the brattish engine and exhaust noise is there in the distance.

The three-door can complete the school run duties, with space for bags, pushers and shopping - even a stroller as well.  The backseat is not just for the rugrats either - four adults can be GTI-ed to a destination with a bit of gear on board without concern.

But you won't want the excess ballast on your favourite back road, which is the little three-door excels - the firm suspension manages mid-corner bumps with alacrity, using the tricky front diff to turn in with gusto and power out with little fuss - the DSG is generally a useful gearbox, with more smarts than before, but it is still not a mind reader.

Low-speed parking duties, particularly on a slope, can see the transmission in two minds, requiring subtle throttle work.  Sport mode on a back road is pretty good, but M mode is manual in name only - it won't hold a manually-selected gear.

Leave it Sport and point it at a series of bends and there's plenty of far more expensive thoroughbreds that won't be able to shake it.

Verdict

The Golf GTI is still the benchmark all-rounder hot-hatch.