VW Golf GTI

Some might criticise VW for making only subtle adjustments to the previous-generation GTI. Yet by refining an already winning formula, it’s created a truly complete car. On full throttle, the rasping exhaust note and slug of turbocharged torque make the MkVI feel every inch a serious performance machine. Back off the accelerator, set the suspension to Comfort, and it transforms into smooth, refined family transport. The GTI’s talents are so wide-ranging, it makes an incredibly strong case for itself.

Six generations and 33 years after the MkI defined the hot hatch class, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is still going strong! This latest edition packs more power and promises better refinement than any predecessor, but has it upped the game enough to keep its nose ahead of the competition and win over UK buyers – the greatest hot hatch fans in Europe?

If you liked the styling of the previous GTI, chances are you’ll warm to the new car, too. VW has played it safe with a subtle evolution, rather than a major overhaul of the looks, and there are plenty of classic design cues to keep enthusiasts happy.

Up front, the honeycomb grille gets red pinstripes, mimicking the 1976 original, and the edgier nose is reminiscent of the Scirocco. Wide-set foglights accentuate the car’s width, as do twin exhausts sitting either side of the diffuser.

The ride height has been lowered 22 millimetres at the front and 15 millimetres at the rear, wrapping the wheelarches even more tightly around the gorgeous telephone-dial alloys. A neat boot spoiler emphasises the sporty profile.

Inside, the sports seats are tartan-trimmed – in homage to the original – and beautifully sculpted, yet soft enough to stay comfortable on longer trips. Apart from the seats, plus the leather-bound, flat-bottomed steering wheel embossed with a GTI logo, the cabin is identical to those of lesser Golfs, with quality few cars can match, regardless of their price.

At the heart of the GTI is a reworked version of the 2.0-litre TSI engine in the MkV GTI. Modified pistons, uprated oil and fuel pumps, plus a new induction system, increase power by 10bhp to 207bhp.

That still leaves it trailing behind rivals such as the MINI JCW, but it’s the incredibly linear way in which the punchy turbo unit delivers its power that makes it so special. The 211bhp Cooper feels laggy and slow to react in comparison. With a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds, the VW isn’t short on pace, while the punchy engine and raspy exhaust note never leave you wanting for more.

The GTI’s trump card has always been its ability to provide an absorbing driving experience without the compromise of a hard ride, and this car maintains that tradition. VW’s Adaptive Chassis Control system, carried over from the Scirocco, offers drivers three different damper settings – Comfort, Normal and Sport. At the press of a button, it can be converted from an ultra-refined motorway cruiser to a fully fledged track star.

Our sole gripe with the latest GTI is that the electronic stability programme can’t be fully disengaged. Even in its least intrusive setting, the system will allow only a certain amount of slip before intervening and pulling everything back into line. However, it does so smoothly, and only in the most extreme situations.

The steering rack is light, easy to use and loaded with feedback, while the brakes are strong. Add a six-speed manual gearbox that makes flicking through the ratios a delight, and it’s hard to think of another model that provides such an instant connection between driver and machine.

So, with its hatchback practicality, virtually bulletproof build quality and hugely impressive all-round performance, the latest Golf GTI could be all the car you are ever likely to need.

Rival: Honda Civic Type R
High-revving, naturally aspirated VTEC engine gives the Type R an entirely different character. Even if the stiff suspension isn’t to everyone’s liking, few cars change direction so eagerly and quickly.