Volkswagen stays a dominant pressure within the hotchback section
| Photograph Credit score:
Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala
Almost a decade in the past, Volkswagen India did the unthinkable. It delivered to our market a automobile that appeared impractical, had fewer doorways, and was about 4 instances as costly because the one it was based mostly on. Regardless of that, it discovered many takers, shortly serving to it attain a legendary standing — a lot in order that used examples present practically no indicators of depreciation, even a decade later. That was the Volkswagen Polo GTI, and now, 9 years later, Volkswagen has introduced out one other GTI; this time, a extra highly effective and positively extra focussed one. It’s the Mk 8.5 Golf GTI, a front-wheel drive hatchback whose badge is taken into account synonymous with ‘sizzling hatch’. We take it out for a drive to grasp what the fuss is about
There’s little doubt that Volkswagen has been on the high of its sizzling hatchback sport, and we’re happy to report that the Golf GTI is unchanged for the Indian market. It’s powered by the EA888 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 261 bhp and 37.7 kg-m. It powers the entrance wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch computerized gearbox and an electronically managed limited-slip diff.
Smooth design
The glossy exterior design attracts your consideration shortly and can be well-proportioned, however not with out nice hints of aggression, making the automobile’s objective fairly evident. There are 4 exterior colors to select from, its 18-inch alloy wheels are commonplace, and there’s no dearth of ‘GTI’ badges. An illuminated strip joins the 2 headlights, making the Golf GTI ever so barely extra dramatic when it will get darkish outdoors. That is additional complemented by an illuminated VW emblem, whereas the trademark crimson strip throughout the entrance, the five-pod fog lights, and the fang-like parts on the decrease grille work in tandem to make sure that the GTI’s is a face you wouldn’t overlook.
The cabin isn’t unhealthy, both. A 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the centrepiece, however it’s programmed to be extra than simply a big display screen on the centre console. Important options like ESC will be accessed via quick-toggle menus, and whereas it offers you adequate display screen actual property for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it has completely positioned icons, guaranteeing you don’t battle with menus. Each quantity sliders and temperature controls are touch-sensitive sliders under the display screen. The entrance fabric seats, albeit an amazing homage to the primary GTI, can really feel a bit too tight for some drivers, and with the entrance seat set in line with my top, the rear legroom was considerably decreased.
You gained’t be bothered about any of that the second you set out to your drive. We had entry to the NATRAX take a look at centre close to Indore for this drive — together with the 11.3 km high-speed circuit — and the GTI confirmed its true colors. The automobile epitomises flexibility; you possibly can hoon it round a racetrack, and, with out making any mechanical modifications, drive it to work like nothing occurred, and the automobile will fairly obediently comply with your lead.
The 12.9-inch touchscreen is the centerpiece — greater than only a huge show, it’s neatly built-in for enhanced performance
| Photograph Credit score: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala
Balanced dynamics
Begin the automobile in sport mode, and the exhaust has a light rumble (which isn’t too intrusive), however as revs climb, the engine noise turns into extra characterful, and it even emits pops while not having a ‘pops and bangs’ tune out of your pleasant tuner. The chassis, too, is exceptional, once more signifying the Golf GTI’s flexibility. It doesn’t get adaptive dampers, however regardless of that, the trip is snug. Within the dealing with division, the Golf scores fairly nicely. Its nostril is raring to comply with your steering enter though the steering itself feels a bit numb. You’ll be able to totally deactivate the automobile’s stability management, however I discovered that ESC Sport allowed me to push the automobile with out intervening. My solely gripe is that whereas the automated gearbox is fast to shift, each by itself or while you function it utilizing the paddle shifters, a automobile like this deserves to be specced with a guide gearbox.
I’ve all the time adored the Golf GTI, and I’m sure there are numerous on the market who share the identical sentiment. Priced at ₹53 lakh, ex-showroom, the Golf GTI isn’t going to be inside everybody’s attain, however you understand what, when you’ve wished one badly (and have the means), you’d have booked it already. The primary lot of 150 automobiles coming to India is bought out already, which proves my level.
© Motoring World
Revealed on June 6, 2025