Just like fine wine, nameplates just get better over time. A prime example of graceful ageing is the 40-year old Volkswagen Golf which has won many accolades throughout its existence including being named the 1992 and 2013 European Car of the Year, 2013 World Car of the Year, and 2013-2014 Car of the Year Japan.
The simple launch inside the Volkswagen showroom in BGC ended up on the streets with the Zobel de Ayala siblings, Mariana and Jaime Alfonso, driving in aboard a white and red GTI, respectively. Guests were allowed multiple goes on the specially designed road-course along 28th street which was closed for the launch until midnight.
The current generation Golf GTI is the 7th iteration since it was launched in 1976. The epitome of a hot hatch, the GTI’s unassuming exterior belies the beast under the hood.
The GTI is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged stratified injection engine capable of outing 220Ps @ 4500-6200rpm and pulling at a rate of 350Nm @ 1500-4400rpm. The power plant is mated to a 6-speed dual shift transmission and sport suspension. It comes with 18-inch Austin alloy wheels, bumpers, grille, tail lamps, spoiler, dual tailpipes, Bi-Xenon headlamps with daytime running lights (DRL, and dynamic headlamp control marking its GTI heritage.
Inside the cabin are GTI premium sport seats with “Clark” material, a GTI steering wheel with paddle shifts, a GTI shift knob, stainless steel pedals, scuff plates, trim, keyless-go entry/exit with push start, interior ambient lighting, and a climatronic 2-zone air-conditioning system.
All that power is balanced by top-notch safety features, including: Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) with XDS plus technology, engine drag torque control (MSR), electronic parking brake with auto hold, rear assist rear view camera with 8-channel park distance control, driver alert system, and airbags all around the cabin (driver, passenger, driver knee, front, side, and curtain).
“The Golf GTI is indeed the sports car with true “style and performance,” because it is THE GTI. It is the perfect car for performance seekers looking for fun and excitement,” said John Philip Orbeta, president and Chief Executive Officer of VW Philippines.
The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI carries a PHP 2,290,000 tag and is available in oryx white pearl, tornado red, night blue, limestone grey, and deep black pearl.
(Photos by Gadgets Magazine’s Assistant Publisher and Motoring Editor, Mika Fernandez-David)