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| Photos by Ulysses and Volkswagen Press |
The Philippines is finally getting a good taste of the coveted European hot hatch flavor with the official arrival of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. After a lengthy preview that started at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), the seventh-generation Golf GTI is finally here. An award-winning sporty compact that has won the world over with its technological leadership and sporty prowess, the all-new GTI aims to carry that tradition and continue to be the sustainable, attainable sports car.
This iconic five-door hatchback features unique GTI design cues from the red inserts running from the headlights to the grille, red GTI badging, to 18-inch Austin alloy wheels with 225/40R18 Bridgestone S001 tires. It also comes with LED daytime running lights and automatic HID headlamps. Inside, the fabric/leather combination seats with tartan inserts (“Clark” material) take center stage. The driver is also treated to a three-spoke, flat-bottomed steering wheel and a GTI specific shift knob. The Golf GTI also comes with stainless steel pedals, scuff plates, and interior trimming. In terms of convenience features, it receives keyless entry with push-button engine start/stop, a dual-zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents, and a full-featured infotainment system with Bluetooth hands-free and 8 speakers.
Performance is punctuated by a 2.0-liter TSI (Turbo Stratified Injection) 4-cylinder petrol engine pumping out 220 horsepower from 4,500 to 6,200 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,400 rpm. This engine is mated to a 6-speed dual clutch automatic (DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox). 0-100 km/h comes in just 6.7 seconds. The front-wheel drive hatchback also features a sport suspension system with an independent Double Wishbone front and independent four-link rear set-up. It also comes with a slew of driving aids such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) with XDS, and engine drag torque control. As fun and fast as the Golf GTI is, it’s also extremely safe with 7 airbags, and an 8-channel front and rear parking sensors with a rear view camera.
“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 is priced at P 2,290,000 and is available in five colors: Oryx White Pearl, Tornado Red, Night Blue, Limestone Gray, and Deep Black Pearl.
wrx for 500k less. this is way over priced.
ReplyDeleteyou should do a compare between the Golf GTi, Subaru WRX, Toyota 86 and Mini Cooper. THough i believe the cooper S will be thrashed in all respects including its ridiculous price.
ReplyDeleteprice / performance champ would be the WRX hands down.
Like this?
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2015/02/2015-volkswagen-golf-gti-vs-competition.html
simply excellent!
Delete... made in deutschland this time?
ReplyDeleteYup. Germany.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteComprehensive comparisons in Europe and the USA show that GTI is the overall winner over WRX all of the time, etc. German automotive engineering is really the best in the world. Hello GTI, I've been waiting you for a long time. Hmm... might I have the first unit in the Phils?
ReplyDeleteToo late in being the first one. They just released 16 units to owners already.
DeleteI got mine last Wednesday from VW QA.
DeleteAnd BTW, DSG means Direct Shift Gearbox, not Dual Shift Gear; and yes, it is a dual clutch tranny. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-shift_gearbox
DeleteThanks for the correction. Edited the story and removed the typo.
DeleteGot mine feb 25. First one out of the dealership. Most buyers opted to drive theirs during the launching date.
DeleteClemente jose ariel, I hope you had a great first long drive with it, just as I did this weekend...vroom, vroom...great ride, handling and THE POWER AND THE TORQUE are really something.
Delete"Overall winner all the time?" Lolz. Patently false. Get real. It is merely compared to comparable FWD hatches (ex.: fellow overpriced Mini Cooper, Euro Civic hatch, Accent hatch, and similar from Seat, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, etc.). Simple laws of physics wouldn't make it win against RWD or AWD competitors in the real world. Kahit ano pa gawin mong suspension tuning, it is still subjected to the limitations of all FWD vehicles.
DeleteThose European reviewers all have their nationalist biases and sentimental favorites, aside from the usual manufacturer-induced payola, that's why you get those laughable "reviews".
Manual option would still be nice inspite of traffic.
ReplyDeleteI always chuckle whenever I see that tablecloth-inspired seats. Parang sa mga local karinderya. Yung lolo ko may shorts na pambahay, ganitong pattern din. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI don't care about your comparison, it's still overpriced, looks staid and boring inside & out, and is still a front-wheel drive vehicle. Even if it's priced the same as the WRX I'd still get that car over this one.
ReplyDeleteHello, would the DSG from a GTI do okay in Philippine traffic? From what I heard, DSG users have had problems before when putting it into neutral when stopping, before setting off in drive again. I wonder if these issues have been solved.
ReplyDeleteHi! I just want to ask, what is its similar variant from US website (www.vw.com)?
ReplyDeleteI've seen from there that there are 6 variants for 4-doors GTI and I hope that what is being offered here in Philippines is the highest one, considering that it is officially priced in US at $31,540 only while here in Philippines, about $52,000 (P2,290,000). I haven't seen any other variant from VW PH website that's why I'm asking if you know and I hope it is the highest one.
Thank you!