Sadly, the GTI has become a little portly, with gen-eight tipping the scales at 1 463kg, but Volkswagen’s engineers have done a great job at honing the chassis to ensure that its overall agility impresses. “Flappy paddles” are in place for the occasions when you feel like being in control, although I did wish the levers were a little bigger. It's perfectly calibrated seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is instrumental here, and it works like a charm when left to its own devices. Sure, we’re not speaking of heart-stopping acceleration here but the Golf GTI satisfies with its ultra-responsive throttle and brisk, effortless acceleration (it takes just 6.4 seconds to get to 100km/h, according to factory claims). The tinkering has given it an extra 11kW and 20Nm, bringing the grand total to 180kW and 370Nm.Īnd yes, rivals like the Hyundai i30 N are technically more powerful, but somehow the Golf GTI feels faster than the numbers suggest.
The Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI is powered by an uprated version of the familiar EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. © Provided by Independent Online (IOL)īut does the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI live up to its legendary predecessors? Following its launch in September, we spent a week with the latest hot hatch to find out if it has the winning recipe. It’s also relatively attainable by performance car standards, although the latest VeeDub’s price tag of R669 300 is perhaps stretching things a bit. Sure, it’s never been the fastest performance hatch on the block, and some of the middle generations (I’m looking at you, Golf 3 and 4) have been a little iffy, but no hatchback can lay claim to the kind of cult status and mass appeal the Volkswagen Golf GTI has enjoyed over the years.Ĭlassy yet classless, and with its lovable blend of Vrrrpha acoustics, driving excitement and everyday useability, the GTI is to hot hatches what the Porsche 911 is to sports cars. Johannesburg: GTI is an acronym that tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who is even mildly obsessed with cars.
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