Road test: Volkswagen Golf GTI

When Volkswagen’s Golf GTI appeared in 1976, the hot-hatch category was born. It became the car against which all imitators were measured. Now the seventh generation is here, so, after several tubby and uninteresting Golf GTIs over the years, can the car regain its title as the definitive GTI? The answer is yes — by quite a margin.

Now packing 217bhp in standard form, it can accelerate to 62mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 152mph. It is 18 per cent more fuel efficient and five insurance groups lower than before, thanks to VW’s Front Assist system, which automatically applies the brakes if the driver gets too close to the vehicle in front. The slightly faster Performance Pack version — £980 more than standard — has a trick front differential which allows higher speeds to be carried through corners.

With either the six-speed DSG dual clutch automatic gearbox with paddle shift, or the six-speed manual gearbox, progress is rapid, but it is a quiet motorway cruiser and can dawdle through town without fuss. Externally, it has deep front air intakes, a red stripe on the grille which extends across the bi-xenon headlamps, and there are twin chrome tailpipes. Inside, tartan seats are back. It is almost certainly the best GTI of any make built so far.

Volkswagen Golf GTI six-speed manual
Top speed: 152mph;
CO2: 139g/km;
Combined MPG: 47.1;
Price: £25,845