Vehicle review: VW Golf GT

Volkswagen has created a number of improvements to its classic Golf. You may not have believed it achievable, but the greatest just got far better, says Tim Barnes-Clay.

Some vehicles are all incorrect. They’re ugly, uncomfortable or just basically awful to drive.

The VW Golf isn’t a single of these. It is amongst the ideal. Seriously.

‘Like a fine wine’;

For any person that’s been beamed down from Pluto, the VW Golf is a compact auto made by the German manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across 6 generations.

The Golf Mk7 utilizes the exact same platform as the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT León and Škoda Octavia.

It was announced in Berlin in September 2012, ahead of a public launch at the 2012 Paris Auto Show and won the Automobile of the Year Japan Award 2013-2014, the very first time it was awarded to a European item.

The Golf is like a fine wine and only gets better with age.

Altering with the instances

Positive, there are enthusiasts who appreciate the Mk1 and Mk2 models a lot more than any other. I was there once, owning 2 Mk2s.

As significantly as I nonetheless appreciate them, wants modify – and now there’s no way I’d trade the GT 1.4 TSI 150 PS DSG I had on test for a classic 1970s or 80s Golf.

So why is the existing VW Golf so great? Properly, it delivers precise handling with higher levels of ride comfort and driving pleasure.

Indeed, the Golf’s steering now offers much more agility in dynamic driving conditions, while making sure higher-speed stability, and easy manoeuvring in the city.

Choose a profile to suit

Also, the Golf is available with driver profile selection tech, which makes it possible for you to decide on from 4 modes – Eco, Sport, Regular and Individual.

And with a direct-shift gearbox (DSG) fitted, there’s a fifth alternative, Comfort.

A DSG box is great because it is in contrast to a traditional automatic transmission.

Twin electronically controlled shafts manage gear selection, constantly anticipating your subsequent shift.

This provides you fast, smooth gear adjustments and lively handling with unbroken acceleration.

Impressive engine

Under-the-bonnet technologies is superb.

My test auto had the TSI engine with active cylinder management, which entails the temporary shutoff of the second and third cylinders.

This means the engine can decrease fuel consumption by over half a litre per 100 kilometres.

Even with 2 cylinders, the 1.4 TSI runs just as quietly and with low vibration as with 4 active combustion chambers.

As a lot space as you require

Inside, the front seats go back fairly a distance, benefitting taller drivers, like me.

Surprisingly, this doesn’t influence on these in the back a lot: rear legroom is good for a medium-sized hatchback.

There’s decent space for luggage, too, with a low sill to make loading effortless. 

In the cockpit, the centre console is angled towards the driver, giving you less difficult access to auxiliary controls.

High-tech safety

Gadgetry contains a touchscreen technique as normal.

It operates with finger gestures that will be familiar if you’re a smartphone user.

Functions also consist of DAB digital radio, auxiliary inputs (which includes USB), Bluetooth phone preparation and access to car trip info.

The newest Golf has a quantity of reassuring safety aids too.

Pre-crash protection

Normal is the multi-collision brake mechanism.

This automatically halts the automobile following a collision, to lessen kinetic power significantly.

There’s also a pre-crash technique which detects the possibility of an accident.

It pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best achievable protection from the airbags.

Now do you see why it is one of the greatest motors on the market place?

Pros & cons

• Handling √


• Kit √


• Safety √


• Fairly costly X

Quickly information

• Max speed: 134 mph


• -62 mph: 8.2 secs


• Combined mpg: 60.1


• Engine: 1395 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo petrol


• Max. energy (bhp): 148


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 184


• CO2: 110 g/km


• Price: £25,265

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Vehicle review: VW Golf GT