Test Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 245 HP DSG 7v (with video)

Today Actualidad Motor a mythical car accompanies us recognized worldwide. A few months ago we tested the eighth generation Volkswagen Golf, and now we have brought it back. The difference is that on this occasion we have opted for the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the acronyms that on more than one occasion have taken away our sleep.

And it is that to speak of the Golf GTI of VW means talking about 45 years of history and more than 2,3 million units. A model that practically all of us have wanted. Always has been elegant, sporty, fast and versatile. But not only that, because pronouncing Golf GTI has always meant the most, as a special symbol or a different status.

Elegance and sportiness go hand in hand in the Golf GTI

Since we already tested the normal Golf some time ago, we are only going to focus on the main details that differentiate it. And starting with the design, although it does not have an overloaded aesthetic, easily recognized as a GTI, and not only because of the multiple inscriptions that we see on the front, wings and trunk lid.

But because at the front we have that characteristic red line that connects the IQ Light headlights, but it also now has a white LED lighting strip as a novelty. The bumper is specific and more robust with that honeycomb pattern, but above all that X or checkered flag shape of the fog lamps stands out. I personally like it a lot.

If we go to the side we find our own heel cups and wheels that range from 17 to 19 inches, with this unit being the optional 18” ones that cost €685 and hide red brake calipers as standard. Furthermore, if we compare with a Golf conventional, the GTI looks a bit lower to the ground because it has the height lowered by 15 millimeters.

Meanwhile, the rear is understated and clean. Simply with a larger upper spoiler, the GTI letters in red under the brand logo, a slightly more pronounced bumper and a circular exhaust outlet at each end they complete an attractive set and nothing overloaded. Without a doubt, the latter has been the hallmark of the Golf GTI since its inception.

Very visual and very striking, but could be more emotional

Inside, it follows the style of the exterior, that is, it introduces sporty details while maintaining a high level of quality and elegance. The first thing that catches our attention is the sport seats with integrated headrests, red stitching and the legendary check pattern. From my point of view, every self-respecting Golf GTI should have this classic upholstery.

It should also have a gear lever in good condition, and not that horrible button of the automatic versions that we see in the latest launches of the Group. Remember those golf ball-shaped knobs? I think I would buy the car with a manual transmission just to be able to put that knob.

Otherwise, we have the configurable digital instrument cluster. Although there are several ways to present the information on the screen, I think that in certain cars a more classic frame is much better. I understand that VW cannot put a traditional frame in this model, but this style does not seem the most attractive for a sports car. Anyway, it's a matter of taste.

Excessive touch controls that do not provide practicality

And continuing with the screens, we still have the unintuitive and impractical touch screen, which is very similar to what we have already seen in the entire range Seat Leon y Skoda Octavia. Above all, this style of infotainment seems to me a mistake because it includes the air conditioning and there are no physical controls.

Nor does it seem to me the most successful solution to use the glossy black finish, but neither in this nor in any other car. We may seem a bit heavy, but it is a unpleasant material that gets dirty very easily, being very noticeable the dust and the traces of the fingers in each place that we have touched.

Continuing with the complaints, steering wheel has tactile buttons with haptic feedback. It is very striking, really, and it handles somewhat better than we could expect at first. But of course, much worse than if we had traditional little buttons and roulette wheels to control with our thumbs. As in the case of the central screen, this flyer makes it clear that changing something is not always positive.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has an interior totally suitable for a family

As for the interior space, the habitability is more than correct for four occupants, as in the case of the entire Golf range. We will be comfortable behind the wheel, because the sports front seats hold well but are not hard.

In rural areas of India, families in charge of a blind minor frequently isolate and deprive him/her of the care and attention they provide to their other children; such situation becomes even more severe among lower-caste families, orphans and if the blind child is a girl. rear seats There are no changes either, except that we have the perception of going a little more boxed in because the front seats leave less visibility, but in real space there are no variations. Y Regarding the trunk, it maintains the 380 liters of the rest of the family. Very good in that respect.

What does the Golf GTI have under the hood?

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has not wanted to succumb to the pressure put by the rest of the sports compacts, with power figures of around 300 hp. Under the hood we have the familiar 2.0 TSI of the Volkswagen Group. In this case yielding 245 hp from 5.000 rpm and 370 Nm from just 1.600 laps. This engine is an evolution of the version used by the previous GTI Performance.

As standard it comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but as you have already seen our unit is linked to the optional 7-speed DSG transmission, which has an extra cost of about 2.000 euros. According to its file, it does the 0 to 100 in just 6,3 seconds and reaches a limited maximum speed of 250 km/h.

But it is not the only Golf GTI, since the club sport version. In that case, raise your power up to 300 hp, also incorporating dynamic improvements in the suspension and aerodynamics section, as well as an interesting locking differential, which improves traction when exiting corners.

This top version always comes with a 7-speed DSG and is currently only a few 2.300 euros more expensive than the normal GTI with this same transmissionvision. But we will talk about him in depth on another occasion, it's time to get behind the wheel of this 245 hp Golf GTI.

At the wheel with the VW Golf GTI mkVIII

And now yes, we are already in the fun part of any test, and more so when it comes to a sports car. The GTI has always been characterized by being a round product in the sense that it is totally usable on a day-to-day basis, with adjusted consumption and a certain amount of comfort, but that at the same time feels fast and agile when we are looking for fun on curved sections.

The German brand says that for this new generation stiffness slightly increased on both axes. It's been a long time since I've driven the previous GTI, but the truth is that it feels like a firm vehicle in any driving mode, but it's not an uncomfortable car except on very broken asphalt.

Agile, dynamic and comfortable, but not extreme

And that is one of the advantages offered by the optional adaptive chassis, known as DCC. With the driving modes we vary the reactivity of the engine, the change management, the steering assistance and the hardness of the suspension.

For day to day, the ideal is to select the Comfort mode, where we will have a smooth response from all these sections. That we arrived at a twisty area and we want to have a good time, because we only have to switch to sport mode and the whole car will become more sensitive, increasing the exhaust sound as well.

If we talk about this 245 hp TSI engine, the energy delivery is very good from just 2.000 laps, with a very flat torque line that allows us to take the car fast without having to rush the gears too much. Could the sound be improved? Yes, it is not as "fat" as in a Hyundai i30 N, for example, but in the end the GTI is a different car, for a more mature and not so expressive audience.

On the other hand, it has a good steering feel and the suspension holds very well the bodywork. But the approach of this model is not to be the fastest against the clock. The Golf GTI wants you to have a good time at an agile pace, without offering extreme limits, because it is only then that some of the rival sports compacts demonstrate their superiority.

A rational and classy sports compact

For example, when we go very fast it is noticeable that the Golf has a little more trouble getting out of the tight corners with the foot on the board. And it is that this GTI Could use a locking differential, since if the asphalt is somewhat delicate it tends to open up the trajectory too much. To do this, we have to be progressive with the accelerator if we do not want to err on the side of understeer. To the most demanding I recommend the GTI Clubsport.

In any case, it is a complete car if your intention is not to enter the circuit or go to the knife in sections of curves. You have a very complete product for the day and at the same time fun, with a great brand image and an icon recognized worldwide.

Also, spend little. Throughout our testing we have pulled a 8 liter mixed of gasoline, settling for just 6,5 l/100 km on the highway at the legal rate. Walking through the streets and on mountain stretches at a happy pace, it logically goes up, but it doesn't go too far.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the main strengths of the GTI are its recognized tradition over the last decades and the behavior and balance so round for all kinds of use. It is one of those cars for life. But it has things to improve, especially the price and everything mentioned about the touch use of many functions.

The Golf GTI is a car that I love, a perfect unique car, but paying more than 43.000 euros seems like an exaggeration despite the fact that it has a lot of standard equipment. Our unit, due to the options it carries, slightly exceeds 50.000 euros. And that amount the truth is that it stings too much...

Equipment Volkswagen Golf GTI

17-inch alloy wheels
IQ.Light headlights and taillights with dynamic indicators
Specific exterior cosmetic kit
Rear spoiler
double exhaust outlet
App-Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Sports front seats
Checkered upholstery on seats
Multifunction sports leather steering wheel with touch control and paddle shifters
Front and rear USB sockets
Lane Keeping Assistant
automatic emergency braking
Travel Assist
Car2X
Tri-zone air conditioner
ACC adaptive cruise control
Fatigue detector
Digital CockpitPro
progressive steering
Electronic parking brake
wireless smartphone charging
Light and rain sensor
Park Assist