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The Volkswagen Golf GTI returns and with each generation, it just becomes more polished. This MK8 model is pretty much as new as a fresh Golf GTI tends to get. It's a decent step forward - and a little of the original GTI DNA still remains.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:39 Background
03:03 Driving Experience
10:35 Design & Build
24:32 Market & Model Range
42:54 Cost of Ownership
47:35​​​ Summary

Background

Before Volkswagen dreamed up the Golf GTI, there was no such thing as a 'hot hatchback'. Now the phrase has entered everyday parlance and virtually any manufacturer that has a hatchback also has a hot one - or a warm one at the very least. It was 1976 when the original version of this car was born and since then, through seven generations and with the help of countless imitators, it has brought performance, handling and fun to the masses on an unprecedented scale. The current Golf GTI is the mark eight and by rights, it should be the best yet.

Driving Experience

The big news for enthusiasts is that this GTI now gets a bit more power. The latest 'EA888 EVO4' version of the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre TSI petrol turbo engine puts out 245PS with a gutsy 370Nm of torque. As usual, a 6-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a 7-speed DSG dual clutch paddleshift auto being optional. Select the DSG variant and 62mph from rest takes 6.2s en route to 155mph. As before, for diesel fans, Volkswagen still offers a 'GTD' version of this model which these days uses a 200PS 2.0 TDI black pump-fuelled unit.

This eighth generation Golf GTI model's handling should feel a touch sharper thanks to a tweaked version of the previous model's multi-link rear suspension and a new driving dynamics control system known as the 'Vehicle Dynamics Manager'. This set-up controls both the XDS torque vectoring system (which helps get traction down at speed through tight turns). And if you've specified the optional DCC adaptive chassis control adaptive damping system, 'Vehicle Dynamics Manager' will proactively oversee that too. With DCC, the required damping is calculated for each wheel and adjusted at the four shock absorbers within fractions of a second. As usual, the DCC set-up has 'Comfort', 'Eco', 'Sport' and 'Individual' settings.

Design and Build

There's no doubt that this is a seriously good looking car these days. It sits on the same MQB platform as the last generation model but gets the lower, more menacing nose that's a feature of this eighth generation design. There's a single five-door hatch body style on offer.

Unique 17-inch Richmond alloy wheels are standard (with 18 or 19-inch rims optional). There are wider black side skirts sills - and a splitter design similar to that found on racing cars. The dominant design element of the side section is the C-pillar, which as usual with a Golf visually propels the vehicle body forwards. Full-LED tail lights feature at the rear and the GTI lettering is now positioned centrally under the Volkswagen emblem.

Inside, key detailing elements will be familiar to previous Golf GTI buyers - the golf ball-style manual gear knob, the tartan sports seats with black side bolsters, the sports steering wheel with three silver double spokes - all of this is present and correct. But this cabin's futuristic too, mainly thanks to the so-called 'Innovision Cockpit', which fuses a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle screen with a 10-inch centre-dash screen. Otherwise, things are much as with any other Golf, so you get great build quality, decent space for two adults on the rear bench and a class-competitive 380-litre boot.

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