Design & engineering

THIS latest Golf GTI inherits its predecessor’s MQB platform, which features Macpherson strut suspension at the front and, in this sporty model, a multi-link axle at the rear. Passive dampers are standard, while all GTI models also feature lowered and stiffened suspension.

Under the bonnet there are more components shared across the VW Group – and with another car in this test, because the front-wheel-drive GTI’S 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox (the regular GTI auto gets a six-speed) are identical to the Skoda’s.

This Performance model has a 15bhp boost over the standard GTI and features a clever VAQ mechanical limited-slip differential to help put that extra power down, as well as bigger brakes. As a result of this, the specification is remarkably similar to the 308’s.

However, the Peugeot doesn’t get the option of adaptive dampers, as fitted to our test car here. At £830, they push the Golf’s price even higher, but they’re a worthy extra because they further widen its already impressively broad range of talents.

These stem partly from the interior of the Golf. Material quality is the strongest of the cars on test, while you get plenty of kit as standard, including an eight-inch infotainment system with good smartphone tech, DAB, Bluetooth and sat-nav – plus an ultra-modern 12.3-inch digital dial pack.

Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten the GTI’S heritage, however, with nods to the latest hot hatchback’s ancestors including the heated tartan seats.