2007 Volkswagen Golf GT Launch Drive
May 16, 2007 by Paul Maric
Update : Specifications on the Golf GT
“It’s a 1.4 litre, but goes harder than most 2.5 litre cars and sips fuel at the rate of 7.7 litres/100kms – meet the Golf GT”
A big car accident, rain and a Schumaker aspiring truck driver were barely going to interrupt Volkswagen’s Australian Golf GT launch drive.
After a two and a half hour drive, we hope Volkswagen Australia has plenty of these cars on the ship destined for our shores.
Anyone would be mistaken for thinking they’ve just hopped into a Golf GTI. You simply wouldn’t believe that a 1.4-litre petrol engine lies under the bonnet. I’ll tell you why. It’s the first and only production car in the world to be boosted by both a supercharger and a turbocharger – at the same time.
The best part is that the Golf GT will keep up or out-gun the majority of its 2.0-litre rivals – now that’s a pretty mean feat.
It’s not just quick in a straight line either, some serious hard-charging through the Gold Coast hinterland in wet and greasy conditions saw no loss of traction whatsoever.
At about $34,990 this car looks like a steal. But, when you factor in a misely 7.5L/100km and the green vote, it might just outsell the GTI.
Print it: 
Looks interesting!
Can you get auto/DSG tranny?
Does it run on ULP or only PULP
Will you be doing a more detailed test/review on it?
BUT does it beat a TDI Golf in the performance/price/economy stakes?
Cheers
O/A
PS Congrats on anniv. hope you have many more, this site is the BEST online website in Oz.PERIOD!
From the review I heard from Jeremy Clarkson about this car, it was “as much fun as falling down a flight of stairs with ankle braces on.”
Now, I know he’s a funny guy, but he did like the Golf GTI very much. So for him to bag out the GT means it might actually be crap.
Either way, VW is really pushing forward with lots of engine ideas. The W16 in the Bugatti Veyron, bolting a hair dryer and a set of screws on a tiny engine to make it go really fast…..
I love manufacturers that take risks and make unconventional models of cars that make people think “hey, yeah… why didn’t I think of that?”
Cheers
Steve
Sick & tired of this german boasting about supercharged & turbocharged engine.
Toyota did this in the 80s, in Crown & MR2 models. The euro’s of course laughed saying it was stupid and added unecessary weight….
Now it’s ground breaking… who says the Germans don’t have a sense of humour
Hey guys,
technical specifications are available now
http://www.caradvice.com.au/27.....fications/
Hi from a VW Fanatic :D
Clarkson is an entertaining reviewer (I love him too) but he did not even know what the W button was (a winter function button that changes engines revs to prevent skidding on ice etc).
While Twincharging isn’t new to the Japanese its officially apart of the Volkswagen Group’s Fuel & Drivetrain Strategy, so this is not a one off.
VW plan to use TSI in next Polo & Golf and the Tiguan SUV.
VW have tested the engine in the Passat and Large Multivan MPV, also EcoFuel technology a BiFuel system and Hybrid technology have been combined with the TSI system.
So VWAG have alot riding on the success of TSI.
Cheers
phaeton
have further VW questions find me here http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au
I picked my 3 month old demonstrator up yesterday (6spd DSG and paddles) in NZ.
As discussed above, Jeremy is great fun but really is not reviewing cars more expounding the world according to Jeremy, if he wakes up in bad mood = bad review – fun but do not pay too much attention.
Ok back to the the car. I have just sold my much enjoyed Golf V5 and now have a car with the same power and acceleration (much more so) uses 25% less fuel and produces at least 25% less CO2, lower insurance and much more “Police friendly” than a GTI. What exactly is there not to like?
My wife is happy to drive it (would not be keen on the more aggressive GTI) and I am happy to drive it. This engine seriously works, especially with the DSG shift in “S”).
Will update on how ownership goes but so far, looks good and is well put together. Initial look over could not identify anything wrong or ill fitting (done 3K KM’s).
Also would reiterate the above – smaller capacity engines are coming like it or not but with the benefits mentioned above it’s not engine size – it’s what is done with it.
Car manafacturers HAVE to be seen to be making these steps otherwise we may end up with 500cc automatically driven blobs to play with
If the idea of a supercharged and turbocharged engine sounds familiar to you then well maybe it is:
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2216/article.html
And yes, this is stock. A poor man’s Golf GT?