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THE latest version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI remains in top form and continues to deliver unparalleled driving pleasure.
When I first saw this car I couldn't help but be amazed at how much it has retained the aesthetics of the classic model. Inside, however, it's something far more high-tech and sophisticated. The GTI is certainly much more than meets the eye.
One of my favourite features is the sports steering wheel which gives you perfect control in almost any driving situation and the sports seats, besides looking really cool, also provide enough stability to make sure you enjoy every wind and bend in the road.
When it comes to maneuvering on the road, you're in safe hands with this model. The electronic differential lock XDS is a fantastic little feature that basically improves handling, especially during fast cornering, which, in turn, reduces the tendency to understeer.
What amazed me about this compact thriller is the amount of oomph it has, it may look a bit small and boxy on the outside, but under the bonnet are enough horses to start a dude ranch. Trust me when I tell you, this car was made for galloping along.
The dual clutch gearbox DSG changes instantly into the next gear in a fraction of a second and more impressively, there is no interruption to the power flow.
The changes are smooth and you barely even notice a gear change when you're driving. That is unless you opt to switch to the manual setting whereby you can change gears with the 'Motorsport genes', which are shift paddles on the steering wheel, enabling you to change gears without taking your hands off the wheel.
One of the things you might have noticed about driving in Bahrain is how impatient most other drivers are, especially when it comes to finding a gap in traffic at a roundabout or getting going within a millisecond of the traffic lights turning green. When you're driving the GTI, there is no need to worry about such things, because this car has enough power to get where you need it to be ... quickly.
The GTI has many other impressive features but something that really is worth mentioning are the car's safety features, notably, the airbags. There are driver and front passenger airbags, a knee airbag for the driver, curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers and even front/side airbags too. So, whatever happens, you know you're in safe hands.
The vehicle also has an array of front and rear sensors that make parking a lot easier. And, if that's not enough to convince you of the car's impressive safety credentials, there is also a rear camera to help with reversing.
The interior looks more like a cockpit than the inside of a car, and with the capability to go from 0-100km in just 6.9 seconds, at times it can actually feel like you're flying instead of driving. With that said, the interior could be made of cheese and the GTI would still be the best handling hot hatch this side of a go-kart.
Power from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has increased from 147kW to 155kW, while peak torque remains the same at 280Nm, the slight difference being that peak torque now comes in at 1700rpm.
As for onboard features and entertainment, the GTI comes up trumps again. Just above the gear stick is the touch-screen radio/ six-disk CD player/MP3 function entertainment system, which is clearly laid out and simple to use.
This car was such a pleasure to drive that I had a lump in my throat as I returned it to the dealership.
Still, since Volkswagen are offering this car for a mere BD9,999 with five years unlimited mileage warranty valid within all GCC countries, three years warranty against paint defects and 12 years warranty against rust perforation, I might have to ask my editor for an advance on my wages ... now where is he?
For more information on Volkswagen vehiles contact 17459977.
