"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
06/06/2014 at 15:07 • Filed to: None
4
2|
"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
06/06/2014 at 15:07 • Filed to: None | 4
| 2 |
Everyone always starts a review of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI talking about history. So here goes. The lifespan of a Volkswagen Golf used to be damn near a decade. I don't mean how long it was on the road, I mean how many years before a new one came out. The Mk1 and Mk2 both lasted nine years. The Mk3, eight years. By the 4th and 5th generations it was steadily dropping and now VW updates them every four years or so. Does that mean progress now occurs more often, or does the size and bloat of each new model year mean it's not quite what it used to be? The seventh-generation Golf is just going on sale in the US, as a 2015 model. Take a look at the RFD test drive video review and find out if its any good.
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Our test car was a brand new SE model sporting black paint, black leather inside (with cool red stitching) and some shiny wheels. The 2.0T SE starts at $27,995 and in additional to the leather seats features a rearview camera, push-button start, Fender ® audio, a panoramic sunroof, and some other stuff. Our tester was $28,815 as it sat, fresh off the boat train from Germany Mexico.
This is the mid-level model, you can get a starter model 2.0T S at around $25,000 that comes with the cool(?) plaid sport seats, touchscreen sound system, and some other stuff that probably doesn't make it go faster so we don't care. The upper model sounds great, at least in name – zee Autobahn Edition . Starting at $29,595 this model gets you Nav, a 12-way adjustable driver's seat, dual zone climate control and its speed limiter removed . All models come in 2 and 4 door and the automatic tranny will cost you about $1100 more than the 6spd manual that our tester featured. Again, we say sheiza to that.
Speaking of the transmission, look it's a Golf ball. Get it? Because it's a Golf? You see what they did there? Dorky German humor aside, it's a great shifter, precise and just short enough. We really enjoyed rowing the gears in this manual transmission hot hatch, and as great as the DSG gearbox probably is, this is our preference. Throughout the rest of the interior, you get typical VW quality materials and surfaces. Well, as long as you stay in the front. Back seat schlubs can suck it, your touch surfaces aren't as good. That's why you're sitting in the back and we're piloting this amazing machine. Sorry, got carried away. The new car is bigger than the last generation, as usual, so there is more room for passengers and their crap. But enough about the boring stuff, let's go for a little drive.
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Our little black GTI's inline 2.0L turbo puts out 210 hp @ 4500 rpm and 258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm so you aren't looking for power down low. Grunt comes in quickly, without a lot of lag, and pulls well through the rev band.
This is one of the few cars I've driven and not thought, "Wow, this is great but I wish it had fifty more ponies." With 250 pounds feet of torque available in the lower RPM range, the Golf GTI doesn't need it. The GTI simply pulls stumps. I had a blast with this car and had no problem coming out of corners or short shifting up hills. Let the turbo spool and all is cool.
So how does this new GTI stack up to our long-term Focus ST test car? We think it more than holds its own. The GTI is undeniably more expensive, but it is also a bit more grown up. Regardless, we'll need a bit more time in the VW to compare. Stay tuned to RFD for a more thorough test of the 2015 GTI and a head-to-head comparison with the latest Focus ST from Ford.
Click here to read the original article on RightFootDown.com
HiredDriver
> RightFootDown
06/06/2014 at 15:41 |
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I was a serious Volkswagen hater until I had a chance to drive this new GTI and I did a complete 180. This car is seriously good albeit slightly pricey. $30k is a large chunk of change but what other four door sports sedans come with a manual transmission and offer this level of refinement and fun for less?
William Byrd
> RightFootDown
06/07/2014 at 09:22 |
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oh well. I enjoyed it at least. :)