Blown away by superb Golf GTI
Mustang which has recently had everybody drooling.
I was unaware of the potential of the Clubsport and, indeed, I leave the hardcore performance testing to my colleagues, who are much better drivers than me. But when I did put my foot down I was astonished by two things: how quick the Golf was, and how absolutely fuss-free it was.
That is down to the fact that, as each generation of the Golf arrives, there have been a host of engineering updates – making an excellent design even better – and the addition of one of the best transmissions around.
The car’s six-speed DSG dualclutch auto box shifts quicker than a human being can and sports a launch control function which allows the driver to extract the most of the performance from the car which, incidentally, can call up an extra 10kW of power in the upper gears if needed. Also, VW’s electronic differential means that, almost miraculously, the application of such huge power through the front wheels does not result in torque steer, which in most other powerful FWD cars threatens to yank the steering from the driver’s hands under foot-flat acceleration.
With all systems in Sport mode, but with the traction control left engaged (I seldom switch this off because I am, frankly, neither good enough nor quick enough to catch a car when it starts getting away from me because the safety nets are deactivated), the car is a real flyer… and has an accompanying sound track of bellowing exhaust and pops, splutters and wheezes from the turbo as the gearbox shifts up and down.
Yet, ensonced in highbacked and deep-sided racing seats, the Golf is a wonderfully comfortable place to be. For such an overtly sporting car, the ride is surprisingly good. Handling is superb. End of story. If you love driving, then you will love this Golf – even at low speeds, there is rewarding feedback through the steering and seat of the pants and the immense sense of satisfaction in having something mechanical do exactly what you want it to do.
The experience showed just how far the motoring world has come in just 13 years. The Subaru of 2003 wouldn’t get away from the Golf of 2016. Or it wouldn’t get very far, because at its 14 litres per 100km consumption, the STI would have to stop far more often than the VW which, even if you thrash it, will not get to those figures.
Around town, it will give you between 10 and 11l/100km, while on the highway you’ll get low 7s.
The Golf, as you expect, is superbly well made. That is one of the reasons I will always be a VW fan: I had a Jetta II which served me more 25 years and more than 330 000km before I sold it – in excellent condition.
There are still a number of the Golf II GTis around and they also look magnificent… testament to VW build quality and the fanaticism of owners. If you want to get yourself a car which will appreciate in value in future, find yourself a good Golf II GTi 16-valve 1.8 now. It won’t be long before it attracts the notice of collectors, and the price will start shooting up.
The Golf GTI Clubsport edition – which retails for R540 000 (compared to the R465 000 of the standard, 162kW GTI) – was produced as a 40th anniversary model to commemorate the launch of the first GTi in 1976. It will, no doubt, become a collector’s item.
When you think about it, a concept like that of the GTi is of interest to collectors because it has stood the test of time; it has always been the best in a category it started; it has always aged well; it has always been able to double as daily transport. The Golf GTi has never had to shout about its status. Classics never do…