Volkswagen: This is how the GTI 8 drives 🎥
DRIVING FUN IS TRADITION Dechromed bodywork, red sport stripes, three letters on the radiator grille: The Golf GTI still conveys its aggressiveness as well as it did when it first appeared in 1976. The GTI has changed a great deal over the years without altering its typical character. Compared with the basic Golf, the modifications to the body include [...]
The GTI has changed a lot over the years without changing its typical character.
Body modifications include a special fog lamp design compared to the base Golf. While most of the sporty elements will also appear on the GTD (with diesel) and GTE (with plug-in technology) models, the two externally positioned tailpipes and the red decor color are reserved for the eighth-generation GTI.
Interior with futuristic fittings
The interior is dominated by the futuristic instrument panel, which has become the trademark of the generation. For example, the navigation map can be displayed directly in the instrument cluster. The 3D function can come in handy here by providing information about the radii of the curves ahead.
The speed is reduced at 250 km/h
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with turbocharging and 245 hp, which is available between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm. The maximum torque is 370 Newton meters.
That's enough to propel the GTI, which weighs a reasonably light 1460 kilograms, to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h, fuel consumption figures have not yet been determined. The GTI comes standard with a 7-speed DSG transmission, a short gear selector stub like in the standard Golf plus shift paddles on the sports steering wheel.
Chassis tuning and control systems
The transmission shifts quickly, but lacks the previously so distinctive sound effects when changing gears and releasing the throttle - a consequence of the gasoline particulate filter.
The chassis tuning and the embedding of the electronic control systems are just about perfect. The progressive steering works incredibly precisely and directly, and the electronic damper control can be adjusted with optimal spread.
High quality and good sense of space
Of course, the GTI remains a genuine Golf, and that means high quality and a good sense of space in all seats. The sports seats offer plenty of lateral support and are unreservedly suitable for long journeys. And for long journeys, the sporty sound can be adjusted to reduce the volume to a minimum.
Thus, the GTI is a true all-rounder and class standard, as it has been from the start. Thus, 45,300 francs cost price is not too high.
