Clearly, I've been living under a rock.
Why do I say that?
Because yesterday I pulled into a gas station and came nose to nose with a pretty sleek car I’d never seen before. I’m quite sure the guy pumping his gas thought I staring at his hipster style (Kudos on the sweet beard and Wayfarers, man!), but I was admiring his car. I’m a sucker for red, of course, but I was most interested in the fact that it wasn't just another run-the-mill-everyone-already-has-one rides. I took quick notes on whatever branding was clearly visible and finished topping-off.
As it turns out, what turned my head was a new VW GTI. The last one of those I remember well was from high school, circa 199-no-one-needs-to-know. You know the model I'm talking about.
With the GTI’s quick, new progressive steering rack (2.1 turns lock-to-lock), this car never feels darty or unbalanced, even when pushed hard on the squirrelly hill roads in southern France where we tested European-market versions. The GTI simply says confidently, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this handled.” On the same roads, the Ford Focus ST, the GTI’s most direct competitor, would be hollering, “Woohoo!” and shaking its tail, possibly with its pants off. Which suits you better?
Part of the GTI’s stability comes from its slightly wider front track and a wheelbase 2.1 inches longer than the previous GTI’s, but it’s also simply the product of a company that values dynamic fidelity more than frivolity. The cars we drove were all equipped with adjustable dampers, an option in Europe that won’t be making it to the States (oh, the humanity!). So we’ll have to wait for a final assessment on the finer points of the ride-and-handling picture. Volkswagen has aimed to reduce the body roll, which has always been a part of the GTI’s character. And the company has done a tremendous job of making the GTI feel more planted and agile without sacrificing ride quality. In any of the three damper settings, the GTI is smoother and more compliant than the Focus ST and much more so than the Mazdaspeed 3. This is one hot hatch for adults.”
All I can say is, “Amen.”
But don’t take my word for it. Go see Carlos at Ken Garff Volkswagon of Orem, take a test drive, and fall in love.
