2015 Volkswagen GTI 2-Door Review (with video) - Although the GTI sales are on an upward trend, the US is hot hatch a rare breed becau...
Although the GTI sales are on an upward trend, the US is hot hatch a rare breed because there are only three options. We have an aging Ford Focus ST, and a new pair of traps Germany: Volkswagen GTI and MINI Cooper S. (. MINI fans Yes, I called the German MINI) The last time I reviewed the GTI and Focus ST, the Focus came out on top despite the greater finesse Volkswagen offered. This time we have a brand new GTI while Subaru WRX 5 kicked the doors to the curb, BMW has redesigned the MINI Cooper JCW and Ford has "disappeared Euro" by blurring a turbo 2.3L in the Mustang. Where this leaves the GTI?
Exterior
Although MK7 GTI that looks nearly identical to the output MK6 GTI, the park next to the other and you will start to see the differences. This GTI is longer, wider and lower with an important section of the cabin. VW has driven front wheels 2 inches in front and gave the Golf a longer hood for better proportion. Projectors receive an appearance more angry, and ditch round taillights cute theme for a more aggressive pattern.
sounds like a modest refresh, right? False. What VW did with the Golf is like exchanging clothes with a stranger. It may seem the same at first glance, but this stranger is different and below the clothes fit a little better as well. This is possible because this GTI fitted on the new MQB platform Volkswagen, which also underpins 2015 Audi A3. The promise of MQB is to provide faster product development cycles, reduce costs, improve parts sharing and achieve better fuel economy. Indeed, the GTI is lighter than before; However, the weight difference is not as dramatic as I was led to believe at just under 100 pounds. Of course, the GTI has grow and lighter at the same time, but the high weight of 3086 sidewalk book series is about the same as GTI 05.
inside
VW was once known as the "discount Audi" in America. But as part of their mission to increase sales on our shores, VW Passat and Jetta divorced their Euro twins and have begun to reduce their other models. Fortunately, some models have escaped this fate and remain pair-related model sold in the EU. Golf is one of them and therefore feels a cut above the American Passat interior quality. Fabric-covered A-pillars on the boards of soft-touch doors and pieces of dashboard, the sensation upon entering the Golf in any form is somehow "more Audi" than the A3. Undoubtedly, the Golf has the best interior in its class, which applies oddly enough much to the $ 17995 Basic Golf GTI $ 25,095 or $ 36,595 Golf recent redesign of R. MINI seriously improved its interior, but VW is probably on par with the JCW model in terms of parts quality despite being $ 10,000 less in some configurations.
Maybe the "price" for the interior refinement is a lack of seating capacity in most models. If you want more control at the front, you face the Autobahn model, which means you also receive leather instead of GTI attractive tartan fabric. A little known fact about the GTI (and the Gulf in general) versions three and five-door are the same length and deliver identical interior dimensions. This means that our appearance small three-door GTI was able to swallow two large passenger 6 feet and a thin third in a pinch. More surprising was the ability to press a seat rearward facing child behind a passenger up front height of 6 feet. This is different from the MINI has a narrow back seat and more cramped bunker.
Infotainment
The overhaul of the GTI includes an update of the infotainment system of VW. Unfortunately this is the only area where the revolution would have been preferable to evolution. VW software lags behind the competition and if you want navigation, it is available only in the most expensive plate. All units feature extensive voice commands, gestures fingers (like scrolling), and a proximity sensor to clean the interface when your numbers are not close to the screen. Most graphics system has been improved and the multimedia interface is more attractive than ever (including the elusive browser). But the system still lacks the voice control capability of your media library and still uses a VW owner connector for multimedia devices.
As much heat as MyFord Touch has received over the years, the system in the Focus ST is light years from that. Since MINI gets iDrive BMW MINI on a scale requires the top slot in this segment. However, you will pay a serious piece MINI list of options is long, confusing, and expensive. Volkswagen told to expect significant changes "soon" to fill the gaps, including / cable VW Audi owner.
Training
As you would expect from a hot hatch, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder under the hood of the GTI. For 2015, the 2.0L engine has been reworked to deliver 210 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That's a slight bump in power but a fairly healthy increase in torque over the last generation GTI. Thank you turbocharger and direct injection, we get the expected "feed tray" instead of a curve with 210 ponies pulling from 4.500 to 6.0 RPM and all the available torque from a low 1500 RPM 4400. If you opt for the $ 1,495 performance package, the peak power increases slightly to 220 hp from 4.700 to 6.0 while torque remains unchanged at 258 lb-ft, but trolling for 0 RPM more at the upper end.
All GTIs start with a standard manual transmission 6 speeds, including the upper end Autobahn trim. Customers can add a DSG 6-speed for any trim. In a nod to enthusiasts, the DSG and performance package are neither force nor grouped mutually exclusive. Standard on all models is the XDS system VW which has caused some confusion among potential buyers so let me explain. XDS is not a true limited-slip differential. Instead, it is an advanced added to the ABS of the car and the stability control systems software. The software reads yaw, the steering angle, wheel slip, etc. and uses the vehicle's brakes to act both as a limited slip differential and a torque vectoring differential depending on the situation. The brake system gently the inside wheel in a corner to help "vector" torque to the outside wheel and provide a more balanced feel of the car. The system also responds to a couple of potential effect making all the more civilized GTI models
The performance package adds a limited slip differential electronically controlled. although the design is very different from that of eLSDs you see in the RWD applications, the function is similar. The VAQ system ( Vorderachsquersperre in German) uses a clutch pack to multiple disks to provide limited slip, full lock and torque vectoring between the front axle. VAQ not not replace XDS, instead you get the two systems that work for you as well time.
player
The GTI, we got our hands on a weekday was a four-door model without the performance package. I'm glad I could test a GTI in this configuration because it allows me to say: get the performance package. Not for the extra ponies, or even the eLSD thing, but for the upgraded brakes and the possibility of obtaining the dynamic damper package $ 800 (DDC). The GTI previous generation was so eager to please, it was easy to overwhelm the standard brakes. Although the new model appears to have improved on this base trim, improved plugs are worth every penny. The standard suspension can feel a little too firm on the broken pavement and sometimes this causes the back to get upset over a badly paved area. DDC package allows the suspension to deliver a tour of the most consistent route and a firmer ride autocross. It also helps to regulate the rear end of the GTI on rough pavement.
Our best 0-60 run rang in at 5.75 seconds, which is an improvement of nearly half a second on the latest generation of the GTI 2 / 10ths faster than latest focus ST we tested and 4 / 10ths faster than a dealer supplied MINI Cooper JCW. If you opt for the DSG, your 0-60 races will be a bit slow, but a lot more consistent. Interestingly, it's a hair slower than the EcoBoost Mustang.
The mission of the hot hatch could not be more different from the pony car. The Mustang is a great cut to pull back, the sexy lines and V6 and V8 shared with the pick-up F-150. The hot hatch of the formula starts with a practical compact sedan and adding stiffer springs and bolt a turbo charger to an engine of small displacement. For 2015, Ford added independent suspension and a turbocharged 2.3L to Stang making comparisons more rational.
Obviously, the driving dynamics are what separate the GTI of the Mustang, but it is more about the sensation that the speed around a track. As our friends MotorTrend recently discovered, the rear wheel drive better balanced Mustang was actually slower around a figure-eight that the GTI. Although this announcement surprised some, it did not surprise me at all, given the VW weighs about 500lbs less. You'll notice I did not say anything about steering feel. Indeed, there is none. A wise man told me to never confuse the weight of steering with steering feel. The bar of the GTI is well weighted, but the traction layout before and the electric power steering suck all the life out of it.
Part of the reason why the GTI is so standard XDS system that virtually eliminates torque. In theory, it's quite similar to what Ford used to control front end of the Focus ST, but in the real world of the VW system is more efficient. The problem is, half the fun of having a hot hatch is "riding a bull" - where your foot is on the floor and your hands and mind are fully committed to trying to keep the car going straight. (the old Mazdaspeed3 acted as his steering rack was possessed by the demons of hell.) Gill Cooper JCW Minis between the GTI and Focus ST in civility. Add the VAQ eLSD the GTI and things go next level with very little drama when accelerating around sharp corners. Although I find the feeling a little artificial at times, I can not deny that it is faster.
Price for 2015 starts $ 25,095 for the GTI 3 doors and tops out at $ 35,950 for the 5-door edition Autobahn with all options. Although VW navigation up-trim limits, you can add the DSG any trim for $ 1,100, Package Performance for $ 1.495, HID management for $ 995 and $ 695, they'll keep on the front / rear parking sensors and a warning system radar collision. If you want the $ 800 DDC (Dynamic dampers), you must start with the SE trim with the Performance Package ($ 29,280 3-door, 5-door $ 29,880). In a nice change from the industry standard, the transmission of selection does not affect the availability of other options and upscale Autobahn does not require you to obtain the DSG.
Ecoboost Ford Mustang starts at $ 300 more than the GTI while the Focus ST starts nearly $ 2,000 less. The MINI is a universe all its own with the JCW from over $ 8,000 higher. The 'Stang gets HID lamps in standard trim turbo making both Ford models cheaper than comparable VW when equipped. Unlike VW, Ford also allows you to add navigation to their cheaper fittings and ST gets some seriously comfortable Recaro seats in most pads
At the end of the week, the charms of the GTI were clear :. This is a hot hatch with a few compromises. The MINI's cute, but slower and much more expensive. The GTI has a comfortable back the Mustang and, even if it is boring, it is faster in some situations. The WRX is not a trap more and if you want an automatic your only option is a soul-sucking CVT. The Focus provides a more raw and direct experience, but means the extra weight, there is no faster than the GTI in almost all situations. The final nail in the coffin for the contest is the GTI SE with limited slip differential, dynamic suspension and DSG. For $ 32,000, a GTI equipped in this way will not be as much fun as others, but with all this and 28 MPG combined, it can be the best driver of all days on sale. Sacrilege you say? Perhaps, but this configuration is the most true to the concept of hot hatch :. Make a daily driver as much fun as possible
Mission Accomplished
Volkswagen has provided the vehicle, insurance and. commentary gas
Specifications as tested
0-30: 2.5 seconds
0-60 5.75 seconds
1/4 Mile: 14.31 @ 98 MPH
average economy: 29.8 mpg over 675 miles
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