Well this is a first for me. Writing a driving impression of a car after having been part of its destruction. I’ve written quite a lot about what it’s like to crash the latest 2013 VW Golf GTI, but I’d really like to write about what it’s like to drive while it’s still in one piece.

2013 VW Golf GTI reviewed by Ciro De Siena

New Golf GTI – DSG gearbox

Sadly I didn’t get to drive the manual version on the launch, but I’m okay with that, because the DSG box is so damn good these days anyway. I’d imagine though that given the new generation Golf is lighter and more powerful than it’s predecessor, that the manual would be very fun indeed. But in an age of traffic jam nightmares, the DSG ‘box is a very nice compromise indeed.

Plus, on upshifts, the DSG gets the engine to make that characteristic “BRAARP” sound, which makes grown men giggle (I witnessed this first hand). We’re an easy to please bunch, us car journos.

New VW Golf GTI – Power and Performance

Much is being made of the fact that the Golf GTI seems underpowered compared to its key rivals, especially the Opel Astra OPC with its monstrous 206kW, and the Ford Focus ST with 184kW. I haven’t driven the Astra yet, but the Focus is very good indeed. But, the Focus needs that power; it’s a big car.

Numbers don’t tell the full story, but for what it’s worth, here are the acceleration times for the GTI and its rivals:

Golf GTI 0 – 100km/h: 6.5 seconds

Astra OPC 0 – 100km/h: 6.2 seconds

Focus ST 0 – 100km/h: 6.5 seconds

There’s two ways to look at this. Yes, the Golf is underpowered, if out-and-out speed is what you’re after, but it doesn’t suffer in the acceleration stakes. However, all of these cars are front wheel drive, and I don’t care how much electronic trickery you’ve got managing the power, too much power through the front wheels is just too much power through the front wheels. The Focus ST suffers from torque steer all the way into third. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun fighting the car, and I imagine this is the key reason many people will buy the ST. It’s exciting. But everyday? I don’t know so much.

I’d imagine there are the GTI faithfuls out there who will want to crucify me after this next paragraph, but the GTI doesn’t need to be more powerful. It’s a fantastic, planted, well sorted drive, with sweet handling and enough power to make life interesting. The car is light and you can feel that “spritelyness”. So relax, there’ll be a performance pack and an R version, so if you sleep at night dreaming of kilowatts, they’re on their way.

2013 VW Golf GTI handling is superb

The latest generation Golf is very refined indeed. While the car cruises comfortably, it also manages to be incredibly good fun in the corners, while inspiring confidence. This is not raggedy-edge motoring. The Golf GTI likes to have its shirt tucked in. But with Active Chassis Control, you can change the ride to suit your mood. Rip that shirt out and go for it.

Part of that feeling is the confidence that the nose is not going to wash wide when you get on the power midcorner. You’d have to be very silly indeed to unsettle the new GTI, it just feels like you’ll never run out of grip. Again, the purists will shout that that isn’t the point, but I assure you the GTI has what it takes to push the right buttons.

Nailing the throttle from standstill results in really satisfying acceleration, with the most noticeable aspect of the new engine being that it pulls so cleanly right through the rev range. There is a good deal more torque, 70Nm in fact, its all available from just 1500rpm and you can feel it.

In-gear acceleration is even more impressive, it feels like all the engine’s got to give is available all the time, and overtaking manouvers are no hassle at all.

The VW Golf GTI’s interior

The interior is classic GTI, brought right up to the modern era. The standard smartphone like touch screen is a treat, and the other part of the car you’ll interact most with, the steering wheel, is exclusive to the GTI and makes piloting this vehicle feel quite special indeed. Rear space is comfy and boot space is perhaps down on cars like the ST.

2013 VW Golf GTI Price

Volkswagen Golf GTI (2013) – R368 000

View the new VW Golf GTI

At R368 000, just over R10 000 more than the outgoing model, with loads more kit as standard, the GTI is a relatively expensive exercise compared to its rivals, but the answer to that quandary is quite simple. If all the hot hatches are hooded teenagers, tearing about the streets in barely-reigned in fury, the GTI has grown up and wants to go study engineering. It’s a more mature car, better executed than many cars that cost twice as much.

For all that, I’m happy to leave a few kilowatts behind.