A Road Test And Review Of The Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI
Since the first generation Golf was launched in1976, VW have been assigning the GTI badge to those Golf's which have received more power, stiffer suspension and subtle aerodynamic tweaks - and which originally helped to coin the term 'hot hatch'. Over the years the Golf GTI has evolved and has always been a 'crowd' favourite - able to strike the balance between performance and practicality, with a look of understated athleticism. The new Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI is proclaimed by many as merely an update of the previous generation, a Golf 5.5 GTI rather than a wholely new version. And they wouldn't be wrong, after all, what's wrong with improving on the Golf 5 GTI, which made up for over 40% of all Golf 5's sold in this country? This is the question we set out to answer. The biggest change to the new GTI is at the front. The bumper, radiator grille and inner design of the headlights are a new creation.
The outer grille, painted in high-gloss black, is a flat surface again, as it was with the first generation GTI, which made the car look wider than it was. The red grille surround is legendary and frames the grille at the top and bottom. Below lies the honeycomb radiator screen, bordered by vertically aligned front fog lights located on either edge of the bumper that help to give the new GTI its wider and lower appearance. The black side sills running between the two wheels arches of the Golf 5 GTI have been replaced with a shorter and more stylish design. At the rear, a new diffuser has been added with the twin tailpipes now residing on opposite ends. The only item left unchanged from the Mk5 GTI are the 18-inch "Detroit" alloy wheels. The openings in the 5-spoke alloys have a 'piano black' finish but a new set of wheels to complement the new face of the GTI wouldn't have been a bad idea.
The overall styling of the Golf 6 GTI continues the heritage of sporting looks with a touch of class - we like it. When we tested VW's new 1,4-litre TSI Golf 6 we commented that "we immediately felt at home behind the controls - like slipping into your favourite pair of jeans". Well the new GTI is no different, except for one thing, it's a GTI! Heavily bolstered seats, a chunky 3-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, brushed stainless-steel covered pedals and decorative red seams on the steering wheel, gearshift surround and leather parking brake, immediately tell you this is not an average Golf. Instruments and controls are clearly legible, easy to reach and operate. The decorative inserts in the doors and instruments are finished in a black, high-gloss metallic look, which serve to round off a high quality interior. Another key to the GTI's success, has always been its ability to carry four people in comfort with a respectable sized boot for their luggage. This latest variant is no different and with between 350 and 1305-litres of carrying capacity, it will easily cope with the majority of your cargo needs.
These attributes help to make the Golf GTI a hot hatch with a family focus - and if you're travelling with loved ones you'll be pleased to know that the new GTI is fitted with an arsenal of safety features. Suffice to say the Golf 6 has received a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and even includes whiplash-optimised head restraints. The steering wheel fits snugly into your hands as you quickly find your ideal driving position. Paddle shifters are at your finger tips for rapid-fire gear changes. The sports seats hug you in anticipation of the drive ahead. Turn the key and the engine bursts into life and settles down to a quiet idle. Slot the DSG box into gear and as you pull off, the twin exhausts leave a burble in your wake. The ride is what you'd expect from a GTI, firm, but not jarring and comfortable on all but the bumpiest roads. Initially it feels as if the suspension might be too compliant but this theory is quickly dismissed as you up the pace through the turns. New to the sixth generation GTI is the addition of what VW call the XDS differential.
