Overview
THERE’S nothing raw about the latest version of the legendary Volkswagen Golf GTi.
In fact, despite being the most powerful GTi ever, the Golf 5-based five-door hot hatch is a great example of how to build solid torque into a front-drive chassis without rendering it virtually undriveable.
Even though the engine punches out a (very) useful serve of torque, the GTi’s chassis does a splendid job of containing torque steer.
The whole car is similarly well balanced.
As a five-door, it’s as practical as any other decent-size hatchback, while the styling – particularly at the front-end – is enough to advertise its status in the Golf hierarchy.
Order books for the Golf GTi are overflowing and, with a pricetag under $40,000, it’s not hard to see why.
Model release dates: May 2005 - October 2009
Previous model
Discontinued in March 2004, the last Golf GTi majored on style, quality and presentation, but left a little to be desired as far as scintillating dynamics were concerned.
Powered by a 110kW/210Nm 1.8-litre 20-valve four-cylinder nicked from the A4 1.8T, the MkIV GTi was more of a boulevard cruiser – albeit one with safe and secure handling – than a back-road screamer.
Compared to its successor, this quick Golf was far too grown-up and was priced at an expensive $44,390.
Following equipment additions and price reductions over its model life, it was last sold at $36,990.
VW's far hotter, 177kW/320Nm V6 all-wheel drive R32 Golf was sold here between March and July, 2004, priced at $63,000.