GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

All Volkswagen articles

Golf pricing

Volkswagen - Golf - GTI Performance Edition 1

Volkswagen Golf (Golf V)

Golf V

Make: Volkswagen

Model: Golf

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Feb 2009

Volkswagen logo1 Aug 2004

By CHRIS HARRIS

Volkswagen – stung by criticism of the previous Golf’s poor dynamic abilities next to the much-lauded (and top-selling) Ford Focus – decided to dump the model’s traditional torsion beam rear suspension for a multi-link set-up that is suspiciously close to its rival.

The upshot of this – along with a larger, stronger and more refined body, sharper steering, significantly improved refinement, safety (ENCAP five-star rating) and strength and virtually all-new engines – is a better driving Golf.

The first iterations we see are all five-door hatchbacks, in base Trendline, Sportline and Comfortline guises, along with two petrol (75kW/148kW 1.6-litre SOHC 16V 110kW/200Nm 2.0 DOHC 16V FSI) and two diesel (77kW/250Nm 1.9 SOHC 8V TDI turbo-diesel 103kW/320Nm 2.0 DOHC 16V TDI) four-cylinder engines.

The former employ a six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic style automatic, while the diesels ditch the conventional auto for VW’s six-speed dual-clutch DSG sequential manual gearbox, along with a six-speed manual.

Best of all it comes in at less than its predecessor. So while the dynamics are revolutionary for a Golf, the evolutionary bits are sure to appeal to its vast legion of followers.

The GTI finally returned in May 2005, boasting a potent turbo-charged 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder engine producing 147kW and 280Nm.

Waiting lists soon extended to almost a year, with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic accounting for a lion’s share of the five-door hatchback’s sales.

In July 2006, VW unleashed an even more potent hot hatch, the Golf R32.

At its heart is a narrow-angled 3.2-litre V6, which develops 184kW at 6300rpm and 320Nm from 2500rpm.

This endows the car with a claimed zero to 100km/h time of 6.5 seconds (6.2 DSG) and a top speed limited to 250km/h. Combined fuel economy is 10.8L/100km for the six-speed manual and 9.8L/100km for the DSG.

Like the previous R32 sold in Australia in 2004, the Golf V version is mated to VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system, but the latest model uses a fast-acting electronically controlled Haldex coupling.

Visually the R32 continues the high-performance theme of the old car with twin centre-mounted exhausts, hip hugging sports seats and a bodykit comprising a deep grille and bumpers with a rear spoiler.

In May 2007 Volkwagen introduced a new five-door Golf GT TSI variant powered by a revolutionary new petrol engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged to produce sportscar performance combined with mini-car fuel economy.

Unlike most new technology that arrives via upper-end luxury models, the new twin-charge Volkswagen is available at an affordable $34,990 – just $2000 more than a regular 2.0-litre Golf FSI and some $5000 cheaper than the five-door Golf GTI 2.0-litre turbo.

With a capacity of just 1.4 litres, the new TSI (Twincharger Stratified Injection) engine develops some 125kW of power and an astonishing 240Nm of torque, running on premium-unleaded petrol.

It has the sort of performance you might expect from an engine with twice its capacity while returning average fuel consumption of only 7.7L/100km. And it already meets EuroV emission standards.

With the standard six-speed manual gearbox fitted, the Golf GT TSI accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds. With the optional ($2300) six-speed DSG self-shifter, that time comes down to 7.7 seconds.

Reviews

When it was new

Latest reviews

All Volkswagen articles

Golf pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here