Golf GTI gets better with age

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What exactly is the VW Golf GTI?

The GTI is a red-pinstriped, tartan-seated, performance icon. Really, the Golf GTI is the car that's responsible for all those rapid road-rockets based on regular hatchbacks we so love. Back in 1976 an engineer (no-doubt large side-burned and flared-trousered) decided that what VW's Golf needed was a hotter engine. It took a while for this radical idea to be okayed by management, but it was and the GTI was born. It's has been a stalwart in the range ever since, selling in massive numbers. Now in its sixth generation it follows exactly the same big engine, tidy handling formula as all its predecessors.

Is it any good?

Looking at the numbers the Golf's not quite the big hitter you might think. With many rivals offering upwards of 230bhp, the GTI's 207bhp looks rather modest in comparison. Thankfully that figure only tells a part of the story, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine also offering a generous 206lb.ft of torque. That muscle manifests itself over virtually the entire speed range of the engine, giving the GTI serious mid-range pace. That's not to the detriment of high-rev urgency though, as the GTI's peak power arrives at the top of the rev-counter needle's sweep. The sweet-shifting six-speed manual transmission makes giving the 2.0-litre turbo unit a workout a real treat, it swapping ratios with accuracy and speed. It all adds up to a car that can reach 62mph in 6.9 seconds and a 149mph maximum.

So the engine's good, but for a proper hot hatch experience the chassis has to deliver too. The GTI's does, the steering being well weighted and accurate, the ride nicely judged and body control superb. Turn it in sharply and VW's inclusion of 'XDS' within the electronic driver aids helps reduce the effect of understeer, the GTI proving a hugely entertaining machine to hustle down a favourite back road. What's doubly impressive is that this agility isn't at the expense of day-to-day usability, the GTI retaining the Grand Touring credentials that its badge suggests. It's comfortable and quiet, while space in either the three- or five-door car is decent too.

Should I call the bank manager?

I shouldn't bother; the banks are unlikely to give you any money anyway. The GTI has always been seen as an affordable way to enjoy big performance but it's still not that cheap - certainly when compared to its rivals. The standard car can be added to extensively with must desirable kit like 18-inch alloy wheels and Bluetooth telephony, while other options like satnav, a DSG twin-clutch paddle-shift transmission and ACC (Adaptive Chassis Control) and leather seats mean you could be well past £25,000 before you know it. Thankfully the standard package is so good that you really don't need any of the extras, save perhaps for that Bluetooth phone connection. If you can't get your dealer to throw in that and a set of 18-inch alloys to sweeten the deal then walk away.

Summary

VW's Golf GTI has always been a hugely capable all-rounder and the new one builds on that legacy. It's a fantastically capable and enjoyable car to drive when you're on a testing stretch of road and a cosseting, comfortable machine when you're on a long journey. It's not the cheapest, but it's beautifully built and utterly classless too. It should also hold its value better than its rivals do and if you're sensible you might get close to VW's 38.7mpg claimed economy figure. Where would be the fun in that though? The GTI has always been about enjoying the drive and this car is no different.

Kyle Fortune