Created 37 years ago, the fast Golf is truly classless. Everyone wants one. From the lady who works at the bank to the university student who works part time at the pub, finding one who hates the Golf GTI is tougher than getting a distinction in, say, F math. But that's just me.
Who could have known that a mere project that started out some four decades ago would evolve into something of a cult today? The car will carry five people, get you from point to point in a manner no other hatches can and it sounds good. Very good.
Perhaps the idea of an ordinary Golf just isn't enough, although global sales figures prove otherwise. While eccentrically elegant and supremely competent in its segment, the Volkswagen Golf is still an ordinary hatchback compared to its very own hardcore brethren bearing the three magical alphabets.
Like the Golf and the Audi A3 Sportback, the seventh generation Golf GTI that you see here is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. And the good news is that it's an absolute cracker.
Exterior
Despite some obvious changes to its sheet metal, the latest hot hatch is still instantly recognisable as a Golf GTI. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, where the car underwent massive surgery, Volkswagen went for an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design.
Who could have known that a mere project that started out some four decades ago would evolve into something of a cult today? The car will carry five people, get you from point to point in a manner no other hatches can and it sounds good. Very good.
Perhaps the idea of an ordinary Golf just isn't enough, although global sales figures prove otherwise. While eccentrically elegant and supremely competent in its segment, the Volkswagen Golf is still an ordinary hatchback compared to its very own hardcore brethren bearing the three magical alphabets.
Like the Golf and the Audi A3 Sportback, the seventh generation Golf GTI that you see here is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. And the good news is that it's an absolute cracker.
Exterior
Despite some obvious changes to its sheet metal, the latest hot hatch is still instantly recognisable as a Golf GTI. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, where the car underwent massive surgery, Volkswagen went for an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design.
That's not to say the car looks boring. The more angular front end with U-shaped LED daytime running lights add flair to the car, which help the hatch find a sweet balance between sporty and style.
Classic dimensions from the previous GTI are retained while the usual, albeit new, GTI trademarks such as a subtle body-coloured roof spoiler, GTI badging (which are now proudly displayed in red by the sides of the car), sports exhaust on each side of the rear valance and red calipers peering out of the 18-inch 'Austin' wheels.
In fact, on first glance, the car is even more obvious as a GTI than before, thanks to the car's signature red stripe that extends into the headlights and the black aerodynamic fins on either side of the massive front bumper.
Sitting tautly at 4,268mm x 1,799mm x 1,442mm (L x W x H), the car has grown in length and width but has shed off some numbers from its height, making it more antagonistic than before.
Classic dimensions from the previous GTI are retained while the usual, albeit new, GTI trademarks such as a subtle body-coloured roof spoiler, GTI badging (which are now proudly displayed in red by the sides of the car), sports exhaust on each side of the rear valance and red calipers peering out of the 18-inch 'Austin' wheels.
In fact, on first glance, the car is even more obvious as a GTI than before, thanks to the car's signature red stripe that extends into the headlights and the black aerodynamic fins on either side of the massive front bumper.
Sitting tautly at 4,268mm x 1,799mm x 1,442mm (L x W x H), the car has grown in length and width but has shed off some numbers from its height, making it more antagonistic than before.
Interior
Positive whispers have always followed the cabin of the Golf GTI and this seventh one is no exception. With its premium level of fit and finish, bottom-shaved sports steering wheel and GTI detailing such as distinctive red stitching and badges, the fast car takes all the 'best-in-class stuff' of the cabin of the regular Golf and fits it in.
And to make it standout from the crowd, there are now red ambient lightings on door panels that somehow set a naughty-but-nice atmosphere.
The comfortable body-hugging leather sports seats provide excellent lateral support round corners and will give you more than adequate support for your back. The only setback here is that rabid fans of the GTI in Singapore won't be getting the tartan upholstery, which is a distinctive GTI touch.
Positive whispers have always followed the cabin of the Golf GTI and this seventh one is no exception. With its premium level of fit and finish, bottom-shaved sports steering wheel and GTI detailing such as distinctive red stitching and badges, the fast car takes all the 'best-in-class stuff' of the cabin of the regular Golf and fits it in.
And to make it standout from the crowd, there are now red ambient lightings on door panels that somehow set a naughty-but-nice atmosphere.
The comfortable body-hugging leather sports seats provide excellent lateral support round corners and will give you more than adequate support for your back. The only setback here is that rabid fans of the GTI in Singapore won't be getting the tartan upholstery, which is a distinctive GTI touch.
But this is a mere quibble compared to what the car can offer. Practicality is not compromised in this hot hatch. Rear passengers will enjoy 15mm more legroom while shoulder room and elbow width have been improved by an additional 31mm and 20mm respectively. Thus, the hatch will haul five adults with ease and comfort.
Additionally, cargo capacity has grown by 30 litres to 380 litres. Knock the 60:40 rear benches down and the space will increase by a couple of notches.
Additionally, cargo capacity has grown by 30 litres to 380 litres. Knock the 60:40 rear benches down and the space will increase by a couple of notches.
Drivetrain
Like a lot of other hot hatches in the market, the sheer mechanical grip of the GTI is pure phenomenal. But where it stands out is its handling. Despite having 220 horses and 350Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, there's not a lot of understeer even when you choose to jab the brakes late before tackling the tight corner.
Illustrating the GTI's brilliance is the beautifully weighted, direct and accurate steering. It responds faithfully to your every twist and turn, giving you all the confidence you need to push the car harder and faster through corners.
Equipped with the second generation Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system, which allows you to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, the GTI copes well with broken tarmac, humps and bumps with Sport mode being the stiffest and most agile.
Also equipped in the car is the driving profile selector. For the first time, you can now select from five different driving modes in a GTI - Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual. In Sport mode (which should really be the default mode), the GTI takes on a very different stance, with a general feeling of tautness as it firms up the steering, sharpens the throttle response and stiffens the dampers.
Like a lot of other hot hatches in the market, the sheer mechanical grip of the GTI is pure phenomenal. But where it stands out is its handling. Despite having 220 horses and 350Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, there's not a lot of understeer even when you choose to jab the brakes late before tackling the tight corner.
Illustrating the GTI's brilliance is the beautifully weighted, direct and accurate steering. It responds faithfully to your every twist and turn, giving you all the confidence you need to push the car harder and faster through corners.
Equipped with the second generation Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system, which allows you to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, the GTI copes well with broken tarmac, humps and bumps with Sport mode being the stiffest and most agile.
Also equipped in the car is the driving profile selector. For the first time, you can now select from five different driving modes in a GTI - Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual. In Sport mode (which should really be the default mode), the GTI takes on a very different stance, with a general feeling of tautness as it firms up the steering, sharpens the throttle response and stiffens the dampers.
Coupled with lightning quick shifts from the six-speed automatic DSG gearbox, the take off from standstill is brutal, accompanied by a sonorous soundtrack that will keep the keen driver very entertained.
At the lights, you feel the wheels fighting for grip as you floor the right pedal. But even so, progress is instantaneous as the car pulls away to the 100km/h mark in just 6.5 seconds, leaving the rest of the pack stranded behind.
Conclusion
It's as if Volkswagen fed the Golf with steroids and created the GTI. This bigger and brawnier incarnation has more power, fun and good looks than its 'unjuiced' sibling and will be recognised as one of the world's greatest cars.
There are other hot hatches out there in the market that are more powerful and hardcore than the Golf GTI. But none of them comes close to offering a sweet blend of driving engagement, everyday useability and sheer desirability.
Of course if all these don't matter to you, you've got other alternatives at this price point. But if you're looking for something that's understated, civilised and honest, this is as close to perfect as you can get.
At the lights, you feel the wheels fighting for grip as you floor the right pedal. But even so, progress is instantaneous as the car pulls away to the 100km/h mark in just 6.5 seconds, leaving the rest of the pack stranded behind.
Conclusion
It's as if Volkswagen fed the Golf with steroids and created the GTI. This bigger and brawnier incarnation has more power, fun and good looks than its 'unjuiced' sibling and will be recognised as one of the world's greatest cars.
There are other hot hatches out there in the market that are more powerful and hardcore than the Golf GTI. But none of them comes close to offering a sweet blend of driving engagement, everyday useability and sheer desirability.
Of course if all these don't matter to you, you've got other alternatives at this price point. But if you're looking for something that's understated, civilised and honest, this is as close to perfect as you can get.
