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AUTO REVIEW
Thirty four years later, the Golf GTI re- mountain bike to my favorite trail, and it fit intuitive, but every time I sat in the GTI I
mains a staple of the VW product lineup, easily. Yes, I had to fold down the rear seats thought it could really use an update. Is it
though it's far different from its first-gen pred- and remove the bike's front wheel, but still, crazy to suggest Joanna Gaines for the job?
ecessor. While a 1983 GTI was 155" long, 64" pretty good.
wide, and weighed 1,750 lbs, the 2017 version If it's been a while since you shopped a
is 13" longer, 7" wider, and — OMG gurl, We all know that US buyers generally GTI, they're all five doors now. The three
what happened? — 1,281 lbs heavier. shun hatchbacks, but after a week with this door versions were dropped a couple of
car I started to wonder if maybe I shouldn't years ago, which is fine with me since those
Of course, that extra size and girth means just eschew my usual urge for ever more extra doors provide extra utility. Many op-
larger crumple zones and creature comforts, power and luxury and get a GTI as my next tions and option packages are available, and
so a new GTI is both safer and more luxu- car. A physician friend and car enthusiast as always, BCMS' own Phil Hornbeak is
rious than it used to be. And despite the ad- who lives in Southern California alternates available to help you find the GTI (or what-
ditional weight, a 2017 GTI can scamper between a new GTI and—oh yes, I am en- ever) that's right for you.
from 0-60MPH in just 5.9 seconds com- vious—Ferrari 430 for his daily commute,
pared with 10.6 seconds back in 1983 thanks and he loves the spunky VW. Despite being 34 years more advanced
to a huge boost in horsepower (210 now vs than my wonderful 1984 model, the 2017
90 then). Amazingly, thanks to continuous The GTI's design is best described as un- Volkswagen GTI is a fun car that's good at
improvements in powertrain technology, derstated, which is the way it's always been. pretty much everything, and yet somehow
modern GTIs are more fuel efficient than Recently retired Volkswagen Group chair- feels remarkably like my old car to drive. I
they were back in the day (1983 - 21 MPG man Ferdinand Piech—the most influential wish it had a better interior, but it's impos-
city/26 MPG highway, 2017 - 24/34). automotive figure of the last 50 years, in my sible not to recommend a new GTI to any-
opinion — preferred restrained exterior body who values driving dynamics and
For the record, the new GTI comes with styling, and he generally got his way. Do I doesn't need SUV helpings of space for
a turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder that wish the GTI attracted as much attention as family, pets, and Costco stuff.
can be had with either a twin-clutch six- a Ford Focus ST, one of its main competi-
speed automatic or six-speed manual. The tors? If I were 28, the answer might be, If you’re in the market for this kind of
manual would be my choice, though it "Hell yeah, bro!" but 54-year-old me re- vehicle, call Phil Hornbeak at 210-301-
should be noted that the first three gears are spects VW for ignoring fads and staying true 4367.
a little tall for this engine and its turbo lag, to their principles.
so the automatic actually feels more lively at Steve Schutz, MD, is a board-cer-
lower speeds. I wish they had made the GTI's interior tified gastroenterologist who lived in
look more special, though. The plastics and San Antonio in the 1990s when he
While I will always say that my old (and other materials are mostly black and boring was stationed here in the U.S. Air
slow) analogue GTI was more fun to drive to behold, with a look that hasn't changed Force. He has been writing auto reviews for San
than the new one is, that's probably my rose enough since the early '00s. All the tech you Antonio Medicine since 1995.
colored memory glasses at work, because expect is there including a modern central
the new one is a lot of fun. It's very agile, touch screen that works very well and is even
especially around town, and it gives you very
pleasing feedback as you drive, including ex-
cellent steering feel and nice engine sounds.
The GTI is good on the interstate or high
speed back roads, but it's most at home on
zippy/twisty roads, be they urban or rural.
And driving it reminded me of why so many
enthusiast publications call the GTI a great
all-arounder.
That would include giving owners utility,
by the way. I used the GTI to carry my 29"
visivtisuist uastawtwwww.wb.cbmcmss.o.orrg 4455
