Full Specification: Volkswagen Golf
Hatchback Last Updated: 18/12/2003
Dealers: 320
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles
Anti-Corrosion Warranty: 12 years
Paint Warranty: 3 years
Euro-NCAP Crash Test Rating: N/A
Euro-NCAP Pedestrian Test Rating: N/A
Tartan returns, as does the svelte but funereal décor. Leather is optional, in a light colour if the GTI vibe is too gloomy
Assets
Accessible performance and loads of it, fun but foolproof handling, civilised yet involving, looks the business
Drawbacks
Sophistication makes for a high price, many owners may never have the opportunity to savour the GTI's true abilities.
Verdict
The Golf GTI is reincarnated just as it should be and - cue the clichés - it takes the hot-hatch crown
Prices
Prices from £19,995 (3dr) to £21,820 (5dr DSG). On sale January 2005
Both wheel sizes 17in and 18in have much the same five-hole design, and even the 17in ones have a 7.5in rim width. They are the Denver design, according to VW. And the 18-inchers? Detroit, of course.
TECHNICAL
Body: Hatchback
Engine: 1390
Fuel: U
Transmission: 5-spd
Power, bhp: 75@5000
Torque, lb ft: 93@3300
Driven Wheels: F
Three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium accents it's a GTI. Some surfaces are hard, but the ones that matter most are not and the quality is excellent.
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2511
Length, mm: 4149
Width, mm: 1735
Height, mm: 1439
Boot, litres: 1184
Fuel Tank, litres: 55
Dry Weight, kg: 1266
Towing Limits, kg: 1000
There are hardly any parts common between this GTI's engine and those of GTIs past, but the line of descent (and the bore centres) is continuous.
You can't see much of the FSI turbo engine under the cover, but it's an effective unit. Normally-aspirated FSIs run lean under part load, in usual direct-injection fashion, but the turbo doesn't. However, the high compression ratio and considerable air-swirl typical of a DI engine both help towards the GTI's impressive power and minimal lag. Because the fuel is injected so late in the cycle, on the compression stroke rather than the inlet stroke, there's less time for the fuel to be distributed evenly in the air charge. The swirl helps here, and is itself speeded up by the turbo's intake pressure. Injecting the fuel late also improves thermal efficiency because there's less heat loss from evaporation of the droplets. So now you know.
RUNNING COSTS
Insurance Group: 4
Service Interval: Variable
Warranty: 3 years, 60000 miles
PERFORMANCE
Manual
Top speed: 106 mph
0-62 mph: 14 seconds
Fuel consumption: 41.5 mpg (combined cycle)
EQUIPMENT
Automatic: N/A
Metallic Paint: 310
Power steering: Std
Air conditioning: 795
Antilock brakes: Std
Driver's airbag: Std
Passenger airbag: Std
Side airbag: Std
Alarm: DF
Immobiliser: Std
Seat Belt Pre-Tensioners: Std
Central locking: Std
Alloy wheels: 695
Leather seats: N/A
Electric window: N/A
Electric mirrors: N/A
Radio Cassette: Std
RDS Radio: Std
CD player: 395
Satellite Navigation: N/A
Manual Sunroof: N/A
Electric Sunroof: 460
Cruise control: N/A
Split/folding rear seats: Std