Volkswagen GOLF SPORT
Volkswagens Golf Sport Has Andy Enright Musing On Golf. And Sport.
Although Mark Twain may have derided golf as a good walk ruined, Id never really considered its position as a sport until I became locked in an argument with an American guest. "Golfs not a sport", he opined. "Any game where you can crank a butt while participating aint a sport." When you think about it, he may have a point. Any activity where you can smoke and still take part would appear to fall under the aegis of the sort of non-strenuous pub games we Brits excel at. Just as golf may not be much of a sport, the
Volkswagen Golf Sport isnt much of a sports car but that doesnt mean that its unappealing. You dont even need to get dressed up in ridiculous clobber to partake.
Slotting in beneath the GT models, the Sport trim level is offered with two of the more leisurely engines in the Golf line-up, namely the 115bhp 1.6-litre FSI petrol and the 1.9-litre 105bhp TDI diesel, and gives buyers of these cars the opportunity to look a good deal more thrusting. Before the sheep in wolfs clothing images form, its worth pointing out that the Golf Sport rides on lowered sports suspension and features sports seats, so even if you dont get to the corner quicker youll feel a good deal more planted going round it.
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Sixteen inch wheels are also fitted and the body benefits from body coloured bumpers and side rubbing strips. Prices start at £14,900 for the 1.6-litre car in a three-door, fitted with a six speed manual gearbox. Theres also the option of a five-door manual and a five-door six-speed automatic.
The diesel opens at £15,785 for the three-door manual. A five-door manual is offered as well as the star turn of the Sport line up, the £17,630 five-door car equipped with the revolutionary DSG twin clutch sequential gearbox. The 1.6-litre engine doesnt feel overly sharp but consult the figures and it beats rivals from
Ford and
Vauxhall in virtually every objective way.
Its more powerful, punts the Golf up the road quicker, is more economical, a little cleaner and is the only unit mated to a six-speed transmission as standard. The issue I have with this engine is that it thrives on revs and the engine note isnt overly sonorous when you are ascending over 4,000rpm. The six-speed box also means that youll need to work hard to keep it on the boil. If you do choose to nail the throttle, youll be rewarded with a sprint to 60mph in 10.
8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 119mph. Be a little more restrained with the right boot and youll see an average of 44.1mpg. Even around town its quite possible to manage more than 33mpg.
Whats more the 154g/km of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre travelled represent a very decent return for a car that weighs in at around 140kg more than a Ford Focus. The technology behind the engine is typical of German thoroughness and ingenuity. Fuel Stratified Injection is a system that promises the twin benefits of more power and better economy. A high-pressure fuel line mounted on the side of the cylinder head, often dubbed common rail, injects fuel straight into the combustion chamber.
The shape of the pistons and the clever working of a set of valves make the air tumble, thus creating more efficient combustion. So far so good, but dont a number of other manufacturers have the same set up? No.
"Driving fun is back on the menu"
Where FSI engines really impress is their behaviour under part throttle loads. Whereas before, part throttle meant just that, partially strangulating the output by closing a butterfly valve, the FSI system can be run with the throttles in a more efficient open position. How? In effect by creating a rich fuel mix directly next to the spark plug and a leaner mix in other parts of the combustion chamber. This is not only more efficient in terms of how much fuel enters the chamber in the first place but it also means that less energy is wasted as heat to the cylinder block.
In effect, a blanket of air shields the ignited fuel from the walls of the cylinder. The 1.9-litre diesel unit is no slouch and will get to 60mph in 11 seconds and top out at 116mph. Its also likely to prove the bigger seller.
Fuel economy of both engines is excellent, the 1.9-litre averaging 56.4mpg and the 2.0-litre faring almost as well at an impressive 52.
2mpg. This engine is Euro IV compliant which means that company users dont get stung for the usual three per cent taxation surcharge and the rest of us can drive around with a warmly sanctimonious air, knowing that were doing our bit for the environment. The emissions figure of 135g/km is among the class best.
Volkswagen have made great strides concerning the refinement of the TDi engine and the effects are palpable as soon as you turn the key.
The TDi system was once derided as being far less effective than the new wave of common rail diesel engines that have become popular and in terms of refinement, Volkswagens solution has lagged behind. No longer: the difference is now virtually negligible. If you're interested in the technicalities, the Golf diesel engine works on the basis of so-called direct injection, a system intended to make better use of every drop of diesel. The injectors on all four cylinders are controlled by a single powerful electronic control unit (ECU) which carefully controls the amount and mixture of fuel passing through into each cylinder. For engineers, the obvious next step is for each cylinder to have its own ECU unit; the fuel amount and mixture can then be even more carefully monitored and even greater efficiency achieved. Although these engines represent some of the first rungs on the ladder of Golf ownership, its good to know that in Sport guise you can still enjoy them without feeling youre operating at the entry level.
The Sport package gives the Golf a distinctly upmarket look and feel, cranking butts notwithstanding.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volkswagen Golf Sport range
PRICES: £14,900 £16,285 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 135-154g/km
PERFORMANCE: [FSI] Max Speed 119mph / 0-60mph 10.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [FSI] (urban) 33.2 (extra urban) 53.3 (combined) 44.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags / ABS / Side airbags / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4204/2000/1485mm
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