The day I picked up the 2008 Volkswagen GTI, I felt five years old again — with a brand new toy. The GTI has received phenomenal reviews within the past year and I couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about. I was not disappointed. Every time I got behind the wheel of the car, I had a maniacal grin on my face and found myself in blind ignorance of posted speed limits.
At first glance, you could mistake the GTI for the re-styled VW Rabbit; the only obvious exterior difference is the dashing red strip around the front grill. Don’t let the look fool you: The GTI has a lot more hippity-hop under the hood in the form of a turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine with 200-hp, and a maximum torque on 2,071 lb ft at 800 to 5000 rpm. That’s a lot of hop coming off the line (and just try and say it 10 times, fast).
Once you’re up and hopping, the 4-cylinder engine handles all requests without a commotion — whether gearing up speed on the highway ramps or shifting down in inner-city traffic. The throttle response is quick and intuitive, steering is responsive, and shifting is soft with a slick-shifting stick and butter-smooth clutch. The sport-tuned suspension keeps the car planted firmly; this is not a harsh ride. As long as the engine revs are past 1500 rpm, turbo lag isn’t in the car’s vocabulary. All-in-all, the GTI is a tractable and accurate driving mechanism (not to mention extremely fun). Thanks to Volkswagen’s recent price reductions aimed at appeasing a strong Canadian dollar, drivers can afford this exciting ride at a base price of $27,975.
Similar to the exterior, the interior is understated, designed with simplicity and purpose, without too many asinine features to distract from the joy of driving. The GTI comes equipped with the typical standard features: dual-zone climate control and 10-speaker, six-disc audio system. With just a splash of plaid on the seat inserts for colour, the remaining interior is a classic black.
Good lateral support from the front seats should not be overlooked. Once you’re seated, there are eight manual adjustments that can be made to find the perfect driving position, as well as a tilt and telescope steering column for more comfort. Leg-room and head-room are more than adequate, and the rear seat access is terrific for two adults in the 3-door, thanks to the car’s height and how far forward the seat backs move as they pivot to let people in. If that’s still not enough room, the GTI is available in a five-door version MRSP at $28, 975. As well, the rear seats offer a 60/40 split to increase cargo space, and a centre pass-through is ideal for accommodating longer objects (like if you need to haul a caber to your next toss).
The 2008 Volkswagen GTI is the fifth generation, a proud lineage since 1983. It is bloodlines like the GTI that keep the car enthusiast’s passion for driving alive, or perhaps create that passion for the average driver. I’d like to thank VW for proving that a lively, affordable, fun car really does exist in a sea of vehicles that almost seem to drive themselves these days. My words will not do this car justice. The GTI was meant to be driven. After a short ride, the GTI will take on a new face: sleek and aggressive. It’s not just another appealing hatchback.
Angela Trimmer is the Women’s Post automotive editor, and refused to give back her tester. The authorities at Volkswagen had to come remove it from her driveway.
Image courtesy VW
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