HATCHBACK TO THE FUTURE
The 1976 Mk1 Golf GTI invented the hot hatch formula. It became a pin-up car for late 70s and early 80s teenagers. That boxy Italian design, dynamic drive and zippy but frugal engine was hard to beat. Since then those teenagers have turned into 90s and noughties dads and VW has been quietly messing up the GTI brand, reducing the icon into a subdued under-powered trim level. Having realised the error of its ways VW’s top brass is now trying to re-ignite the flame with the Mk5 GTI.
The best of the changes to the 2005 gofaster Golf are sculptural GTI-specific alloy wheels and a black egg-crate grille on the front with the return of the GTI badge and red pinstripe frame (like on earlier GTI versions). Choose an overall colour where the red pinstripe is defined in contrast to the body – white and black work best. Inside, a reminiscing dad could do worse than choose the black and red tartan trim seats – you can enjoy the nostalgic references to the original Mk1’s similar upholstery and your kids can be sick on it without it showing. Win-win. Thoughtfully sparse use of cold-to-thetouch real brushed aluminium and soft-to-thestroke warm rubber, and solid plastic complete the interior ambience. On sale from January there’s only one engine – the 200PS 2.0 FSI petrol offered
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This review from FQ MAGAZINE January/February 2005 >> more
in three- and five-door versions with six-speed manual or DSG paddleshift transmissions. For dads the five-door version is obviously the one to go for to get easy access to the kids. Fear not, it looks no less sporty for the extra openings. The DSG system (a £1,325 option) offers very smooth changes, but the conventional manual gearbox is easier, and the engine note sounds superb working through the gears. Push the car through twisty mountain roads and the progress over vaguer predecessors is tangible. The Mk1 is still packed with character but in almost every area the game has moved on from performance to safety. The only exception is on fuel economy, which for the Mk5 is exactly the same as the Mk1’s 35.3mpg – blame the extra weight of modern aircon and airbags as well as the
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extra power (90PS more) and speed (33mph faster). A quick diesel version due in 2006 will rectify that for those who want to stretch their mileage.
However, despite the Mk5’s advances there’s still an emotional attachment to the Mk1 no amount of technological advance can match. One of the foxy female hostesses at the launch of the car summed up this feeling when suddenly – in the middle of an impromptu photo session – she felt strangely compelled to lick the (possibly rusty) Mk1’s radio aerial she was standing by. The Mk5 didn’t get so much as a stroke. Cars that make women forget their hygiene have clearly got something but that doesn’t make them right for your family. Buy the Mk5 and keep the Mk1 memories instead.
VW Golf GTI 5dr Mk5
Price £20,495
Engine 200PS 2.0-litre FSi
Top Speed 146mph
0-60 7.2secs
Economy 35.3mpg
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FQ Magazine available now thoughout the country in all good independent newsagents including Tesco, WHSmith and Sainsbury's for just £3.25!
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