news

2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI Preview

Golf GTI 2.0 Litre TSI 155kW 3 door 6-speed manual $38,990
Golf GTI 2.0 Litre TSI 155kW 3 door 6-speed DSG $41,490
Golf GTI 2.0 Litre TSI 155kW 5 door 6-speed manual $40,490
Golf GTI 2.0 Litre TSI 155kW 5 door 6-speed DSG $42,990

Anthony Crawford

01:2927 October 2009

0comments

CarAdvice is currently on the launch of the new Volkswagen Golf V1 GTI, and will bring you a full review of the car once we have put it through its paces, in the Victorian Alps.

With no less than 155kW and 280Nm of torque pulling hard from 1,700- 5,200 rpm, this is the quickest Golf GTI ever to be built.

It will sprint from 0-100km/h in just 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 240km/h, that’s against 7.2 seconds and 235km/h for the Mk V Golf GTI.

But the Golf GTI has never been the world’s fastest hot hatch, but it is the world’s best selling hot hatch. Put that down to Volkswagen’s user- friendly approach to design and performance.

GTI has always been the hot hatch that anyone can climb into and enjoy the drive. It’s quick for sure, but nothing brutal, more about flexibility and refinement.

And the new GTI has a secret weapon, and his name is Hans-Joachim Stuck.

This guy is a giant in International motor racing legend, and Volkswagen is proud to have him on board as a development driver, and advisor on the new GTI

Hans Stuck won his first 24 hours race at age 19, before claiming two wins at 24 Hours at Le Mans, two Formula One podiums and way too many other titles to list in this article.

He was also known as the Regenmeister “Rainmaster” for his ability to repeatedly conquer wet tracks.

While there is absolutely no mistaking the new car for a GTI, it appears to sit lower to the ground than the Mark V, while twin exhaust pipes are now wider and sit either side of the car, rather than joined on one side.

Inside, the GTI has been given a more upmarket treatment when is comes to switchgear and the fascia, while the flat bottom leather steering wheel has to be a standout item in the car.

Standard upholstery is the classic GTI tartan fabric covering some of the best bolstered sports seats you will ever sit on.

There’s some brand new technology too called XDS, which is an electronic differential lock, said to increase grip and reduce potential understeer when cornering hard.

The Golf GTI is truly an icon in the automotive world, and this latest Mark V1 edition should be a cracker, with the either the 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), or the 6-speed manual.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Specifications.

[gallery link="file" columns="4"]