- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
147kW, 280Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2004)
Volkswagen Golf GTi
There's plenty of street cred and buyer loyalty to be gained by opening the door to decent performance and charging relatively little money to walk in the room.
Subaru's WRX helped turn a brown cardigan and slippers outfit into a vibrant, aspirational brand for every young dude in town. The Golf GTi did the same for Volkswagen, almost 30 years ago.
VW says that it "democratised the autobahnen". Old rich blokes in their Mercs almost choked on their Cubans when young, not so rich blokes began giving them the hurry up in the fast lane.
The GTi moniker has survived but at times the car has not done it justice. The 2005 GTi does.
It's priced at $39,990. Up front is the award-winning 2.0-litre, direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which made its debut in Audi's A4.
This produces 147kW of power at 5100-6000rpm and 280Nm of torque at only 1800rpm. The torque graph then flatlines to 5000rpm. That's what you might call a flexible delivery.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard. The six-speed twin-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) is a $2300 option.
Standard Golf ride-height is dropped 15mm, firmer springs and dampers are fitted and the rear stabiliser bars are 20 per cent stiffer.
The electro-mechanical power steering has been given a new map, which asks for greater effort but gives greater feedback. The anti-lock brake intervention threshold has been raised, while the brakes themselves have larger, ventilated discs.
Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are shod with 225/45 Continental tyres.
Go-fast exterior decor includes plenty of black, red brake calipers, a honeycomb grille, roof spoiler and twin exhaust pipes at the rear.
Inside, there are sports front seats with integrated, active head restraints, upholstered in very 1970s checked cloth, liberal sprinklings of aluminium, specific instruments (including an 8000rpm tacho) and a trick steering wheel, with three pukka spokes, a flat edge on the bottom, perfect rim contouring and perforated leather in the grip zones. It's a beautiful thing to hold.
It's a quick, punchy and tractable machine - the GTi lives up to the hot-hatch tag.
The 2.0-litre FSI turbo's best is reserved for 4500rpm-plus, where it's designed to be driven. It pulls hard to nearly 7000rpm, yet its long-stroke configuration and broad torque-spread allow it to also run effortlessly from only 2000rpm in the higher gears.
It's very refined, perhaps a bit too much so given the sporty intent of the GTI. A bit of sizzle with the steak wouldn't go astray. Below 4000rpm, there's also a second or so of turbo lag when you put your foot down.
The six-speed manual gearbox has closely spaced ratios and a long throw. It's a touch loose in action but acceptably precise.
A fully galvanised body means the Golf GTi is built like a small tank.
Its dynamics in tighter corners are a highlight. It's one of the best front-drivers around. It points eagerly into a corner, stays flat and can be delicately balanced on the accelerator, tucking the nose in with a bit of lift off if you wish. You can get on the gas early, using the strong grip of the tyres to pull the car through. Stability control can be switched off.
Steering is meaty, accurate and sharp; a touch prone to mild torque steer but not intrusively so. It's heavy when parking.
Ride comfort is OK on most surfaces, apart from really choppy bitumen, which causes the suspension to occasionally crash and bang.
The test car's brakes badly needed bleeding. Nothing happened until you stood on the pedal. Under hard braking, the back end also felt as if it wanted to move around.
The driver's seat has a long, narrow, steeply angled cushion and supportive backrest bolstering.
Tall drivers are usually cramped in cars of this size but the driving position is great for them. Long seat-travel and a height/reach adjustable steering wheel allow anyone to get comfortable. The fact that you can't see the bonnet is a bit disconcerting.
Apart from the speedo, which has increments that are too fine to accurately tell your speed, the Golf's dash layout is efficient and attractive. A digital speedo readout would be nice. The blue lighting is easy on the eyes at night.
Air-conditioning controls are simple and all other switches and controls fall easily to hand. There's plenty of oddment storage close to the driver.
There are also a six-stack in-dash CD, cruise control, foglights, remote central locking, six airbags, trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring, an alarm and an auto dimming rear view mirror.
Fit and finish quality in the cabin was patchy, with several squeaks from the dash area.
Two tall adults can travel comfortably in the back seat. It's firm, in typical German fashion, with a long cushion and a properly contoured backrest. Air vents and a fold down armrest are provided.
The tailgate is light and easy to lift. It's opened by pushing the VW badge - cute. Boot space is average and can be extended with the 60/40 split rear seat-back, though the longer floor is not flat. Three child restraint anchorages are on the back of the seat. Four lugs, a 12-volt outlet, net and shopping bag hooks are also provided. A spacesaver spare wheel is under the floor.
The 2005 Golf GTi is an exceptionally well sorted car, civilised enough to live with as a day-to-day drive - even as family transport - yet sufficiently sporty to enjoy for its own sake.