New Volkswagen Golf GTI Thrills Hot-Hatch Lovers

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most complete hot-hatches on the market as it is an exceptional blend of sporty thrills and everyday practicality. The sixth generation GTI was introduced in 2009 and is very much a modern interpretation of its seventies forefather – the legendary mk1.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which produces 210PS. This contributes to making this latest GTI the fastest ever – with a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 149mph.

This free-revving engine can be teamed with either six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission. This latter option allows the driver to change gear via steering wheel mounted paddles, or leave the GTI in automatic for smooth easy driving.

High performance versions of family generally cars have firm suspension for level cornering, but this can make the ride harder than solving a quadratic equation. The Golf GTI stands out from the crowd with its supple ride and ability to corner like it's running on rails. Combine this with responsive steering, excellent traction, and enough space for the family and the GTI ticks all the hot-hatch boxes.

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI is listed in Motoring.co.uk's new car database from £22,748.

By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk

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