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

Insurance group 4!! I thought it would be higher than that.

What can I say, Volkswagon Golf's do keep getting better

yes they do keep getting better but you carn't beat the MK2

Then inside of this looks a lot better fron the other and i like the sporty type seats to could be a good investment

Very nice cars, much better than the last one, but i think they still don't compare to well to it's rivals (Mazda, Honda, Ford) compared to the originality and the joy of the MK1 and MK2.

That insurance grp 4 is reffering to the 1.4 version vicky. Parts of the review talk about the GTi and parts talk about the other models in the range.I think its gr8 from the outside and cool to look at the dials and the gucci steerin wheel but the single colour interior is pretty doo doo. Needs a splash af ally in there i think