by Dan Roth
Not wanting to be left in the sales dust by the quattroporte Civic Si, Volkswagen intends to bring the 5-door version of the GTI mkV stateside for 2007. That’s great news for those who love the driving dynamics of the GTI, but need or want the additional doors. It will add $500 to the bottom line, and 60 pounds at the scales, but other than that, you’ll come out unscathed. The latest generation of the Golf/Rabbit platform is peerless in its class, and the GTI model has had its teeth sharpened big-time. Paying homage to the original GTI formula while leaving room for updates to equipment levels and safety gear, the latest GTI is a winning combo of well-assembled efficiency and frisky motoring. The 200hp FSI engine is plenty powerful, while offering good chassis balance due to reduced weight vis-a-vis the VR6. Coupled with the pre-selector DSG gearbox, you can really wring this thing out while feeling like a racecar driver. We love the nods to the original badass GTI like the red stripe around the grille and the plaid cloth for the seats. The GTI was one of the bright spots in a dark automotive age, and this latest version channels that ethos in the best of ways. Not bad for a buy-in starting at about $23K.
Press release after the jump
[Source: Volkswagen via germancarblog]
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Tags: Civic Si, Volkswagen, GTI mkV, Golf, Rabbit
Categories: Volkswagen
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