Tag Archives: gti

Last week, we had a rare opportunity to try the entire Volkswagen Group range of cars both on track at Mondello Park and on the roads outside. Not only Volkswagen models were well represented, we also had Audi, Seat and Skoda to choose from – all the latest models. When I arrived though, I couldn’t resist starting with the oldest car there, a 1977 Mk1 Golf, resplendent in lime green. Somehow the colour was very appropriate given the period of the car. As I took it gingerly out onto the road, I was struck by how noisy it was. The car was far from concourse condition but the noise coming from the front end was more akin to an air cooled engine. It really sounded strange. The second shock was the almost total lack of brakes. Polos of that period in right hand drive versions came without brake servos and I think it must be the same story for the …

Two high performance models have been added to the Golf range, the new Mk 7 having been launched late last year in Ireland. The new Golf was the best selling car on 131 plates and has already been awarded the titles of European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year. The new variants are the iconic GTI and the more practical, but no less fun, GTD. Visually, there’s almost nothing to choose between the two, save some minor differences in trim. It’s down to personal preference whether the high revving nature of the petrol or the torque and fuel economy of the diesel floats your boat more. The new GTI is powered by a new 2.0 litre TFSI which produces 220 bhp and 350 Nm of torque. This is enough to take the car from 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds. Top speed is an impressive 246 km/h. Emissions are particularly low, at 139 g/km, especially given …