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Volkswagen resurrects remarkable performer with new GTI VR6
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Way back when, back to 1982 in fact, folks at Volkswagen took their tame and boxy little Rabbit 3-door flatback, souped it up with far more muscle than the typical econo-mobile of that era could carry, then painted it black and ran a couple of racy red pinstripes down the sides.
Volkswagen called this the GTI and, holly hatchback, the little zipper launched a slew of subsequent descriptives: Hot Hatch, Rabbit Rocket, Penny Pistol.
GTI was quick, for a cheap car, spry, fun to drive.
A friend fortunate enough to own an expensive Porsche left that raucous German sports car parked in the garage, preferring instead to steer his second car, a GTI.
"Why rack up the mileage meter running around town in the Porsche," he reasoned, "when I've got a GTI?"
So it goes, as the aura accumulated with each laudatory adjective attached to little GTI.
Well, VW's Rabbit eventually fell out of the hutch, victim of consumers who wanted more car for their money and more conveniences attached. With the Rabbit's demise, so too went GTI, reduced now to legend and memory.
But Volkswagen, striving in the 1990s to recapture a share of the American market with a revamped line of new tight, right and value-packed performers, has resurrected the GTI badge and applied it to a pumped-up version of the Golf III 3-door hatchback.
Welcome back, GTI, known now as GTI VR6.
Contemplate the challenge: Take Volkswagen's twin-cam V6, which develops a hot horsepower rating of 172 plus lots of torque, then wedge it crosswise into the nose of a Golf.
Somehow, VW's engineers figured out how to ram all that extra stuff aboard, and the result amounts to something far better than the original GTI could ever achieve.
How quick is VW's new thumper?
It can hop from a stop to over 60 mph in the mere span of seven seconds and run up to 130 before the electronic damper cuts off its juice, despite extra digits on the speedometer which extend to 160.
Of course, a big engine alone does not make this incarnation of GTI sizzle because lots of serious gear also show up to contribute to the racy personality.
The only transmission, for instance, happens to be a 5-speed manual stick with close-ratio gears which convert engine output to rapid linear progress.
In addition, fast-acting rack and pinion steering comes with the new edition, which rides on a rigid chassis rigged with independent suspension elements that include MacPherson struts in front, stabilizer bars front and rear, and gas-pressurized telescopic shock absorbers.
Curbing all that momentum could be dicy, but GTI VR6 stocks a big disc brake at every wheel, then backs the dual-diagonal system with computerized anti-lock controls.
What does it feel like to drive a new GTI?
It feels like you're strapped into a mega-racer, where every component moves with precise, exacting action. Don't flick your wrist or you'll find yourself in the next lane; don't tap your toe to the go-button unless you're ready to fire off down the stretch; don't forget you're really driving in city traffic, not the Indianapolis oval.
I can live with this.
Although my personal wheels come with only two seats and sassy sport character, which I crave, I found myself deliberately selecting the GTI VR6 each morning during a week's worth of home tests -- all because it felt so fun.
I should have expected as much, because the newest Volkswagen comes from good breeding.
Essence of its character, the Golf III, ranks in my rater as one of the better values on the market today.
Although not nearly as powerful as GTI, the latest Golf edition -- a third generational design which debuted as a 1993 model and earned important upgrades a year ago, such as dual airbags replacing horrendous motorized shoulder belts -- actually performs with substantial gusto on its own.
The plan for this car puts twin bucket seats in front and a back bench which could squeeze in three more riders in a pinch. The rear seat splits and folds to form a big cargo bay accessed from the rear hatchback lid.
Yes, Golf looks boxy, like a refrigerator on its side with an aero-style nose, four wheels and spoiler attached -- but crate-like shapes belie the character of this car.
Climb inside and fit yourself into one of the most firmly bolstered -- and comfortable -- driver's seats, which amounts to a Recaro knockoff. A thick sport steering wheel, wrapped in tactile leather, hangs right where it should, and an array of instruments on the panel makes sense in that precise German way which emphasizes functionality.
Take it for a spin and you'll quickly understand that the no-nonsense characterization of the passenger compartment also applies to the way this GTI drives.
Ride quality feels firm -- make that sporty hard.
The steering wheel hits right on-center with steering action, and GTI moves with elasticity through broad sweeper curves, then can rip down straights.
Active ingredients keep you busy and make it fun, but what sells GTI may be its bonus of practicality with that hatchback design and lots of storage space, easy exits and all kinds of comfort and convenience features packed aboard.
Volkswagen builds the GTI upon a Golf III Sport edition, already loaded with gear like fog lamps, power glass sunroof and color-keyed mirrors, then adds more.
The package of specific GTI features ranges from power windows and mirrors, cruise control, heated front seats and leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake handle to mechanical equipment like the V6 engine upgrade and close-ratio 5-speed, traction control and anti-lock brakes, sport suspension components, plus 15-inch HR tires and lattice-style alloy wheels.
Where else can you get GTI's acceleration, practical space and cushy extras for less than $20,000?
Volkswagen doesn't expect to sell many GTIs, but for those who dare to acquire this car, it could be the ticket to hard action of a Euro-sport disguised in the practicality of a hatchback.
1995 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1995 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 Specs |
| Description: |
Compact 3-door hatchback |
| Model Options: |
Compact 3-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase: |
97.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
160.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.8-L V6 16v
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
18/25 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 18,900 to $ 21,000 |
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