In 1984 the Mk II GTI was launched and picked up where the Mk I left off. A new chassis structure, a 1,781 cc engine developing 112 PS and 114 lbs ft of torque and new styling evolved the GTI and saw it appeal to a new generation of fans. Three years later the Mk III Volkswagen Golf GTI was launched, bringing with it a new 2.0-litre eight-valve engine and improved aerodynamics over the previous Mk I and Mk II models. The introduction of the Mk IV Golf GTI in 1998 saw significant changes to the line-up with the first diesel-engined GTI introduced along with two petrol engines in a total of four different states of tune. The Mk IV GTI made significant gains in refinement and safety - in 2002 the fastest accelerating and most powerful GTI produced up until that point was released in the form of the 180 PS GTI 25th Anniversary Edition.
It was the success of this more powerful vehicle that inspired the introductionof the Mk V GTI. Launched in September 2004 at the Paris Motor Show the Mk V GTI equipped with a 200 PS engine was not only the most powerful but also the most focused GTI yet produced. A new 2.0-litre T-FSI engine linked to a six-speed gearbox and standard Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) were linked to a new chassis equipped with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link configuration at the rear. The vehicle was 15 mm lower than the standard Golf on new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Visual cues were taken from the original GTI with the return of the tartan interior and the red surround to the grille element - even the GTI typeface used on the badge echoed that of the original. Production of the Mk V Golf GTI ceased in August 2008 with a total of 17,630 examples sold in the UK alone.
The feel is just out of this world. Something that we always come into "contact" when we drive ! I converted the Audi RS Shifter onto the Golf 7 ! Love the "On The Ball" feel ! Too plasticky and cheap feeling. Feels Great to the feel ! Classy justification for a great car ! The benefit of the lane assist in my opinion, is very necessary. It assist in keeping the car in lane when travelling above 70 kph by gently correcting the vehicle direction by electrically turning the steering wheel to aid the driver. Fitting the original VW Lane Assist on the Golf 7 involves major modification which includes the windscreen, rear view mirror and even the Gateway of the vehicle. This is not for the faint hearted ! This is the painful part when the old screen is removed ! The original rain sensor is re-used. The Lane Assist Camera requires calibration to the car installed.
As part of the Lane Assist function, the front camera double up as a Traffic Sign Recognition camera. It reads specific road signs and display on the instrument cluster to warn the driver. The Golf 7 is prepared for the ATWS. All the base version as I know are fitted with only the Anti Theft System minus the Warning system. Presumably this is due to cost concern. The standard Anti Theft System comprises of the dead bolt door locks on all the doors/hatch and locking indicator on all doors/hood/hatch. Once the doors are locked, it cannot be opened from the inside. The Anti Theft Warning System can be incorporated onto the existing factory system by adding the various tilt & intrusion module/siren/switch/harness and programming. This would protect the vehicle from any intrusion or being towed away illegally. There is not additional controller device needed as the system work with the original Volkswagen door remote controller key.
