Volkswagen Golf GTI 40 Years 2016 Review

Volkswagen Golf GTI 40 Years
Local Launch Review

Since Volkswagen announced the availability of its Golf GTI 40 Years anniversary edition, we’ve been champing at the bit to get a steer. Now, the hottest Golf GTI in 40 years is here and Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) has secured 500 examples for local sale.

We should point out that the Australian version is actually bespoke to our market. We miss out on not only the Clubsport name used in Europe (owing to a conflict with HSV), but also the lightweight Clubsport S – the model that currently holds the front-wheel drive production car lap record (7:49.21) at Germany’s famed Nurburgring Nordschleife.

That model offers 228kW/380Nm and a 0-100km/h time of 5.8sec, while the tune sold here as the GTI 40 Years makes 195kW/350Nm, with 213kW/380Nm available in overboost for periods of up to 10sec (from third gear up). Aussie variants manage 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.3sec.

Still, they’re numbers that outgun the regular Golf GTI (from $40,990) by a fair measure.

Before the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is remapped, the turbocharged reworked, and the fuel pump and freer flowing exhaust installed, the Golf GTI makes 162kW at 6200rpm and 350Nm from 1500-4400rpm (and 0-100km/h in 6.5sec). For the Golf GTI Performance  (from $46,490) you can add another 7kW.

The 40 Years’ output is close to that of the Golf R 4MOTION (from $52,740) and its 206kW at 6500rpm and 380Nm from 1800-5100rpm state of tune (and 5.2sec 0-100km/h time).

Equally, the ‘40’ lays waste to front-wheel drive rivals including Ford’s updated Focus ST (184kW/360Nm) the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 (200kW/330Nm) and even our favourite the Renault Megane RS 275 (201kW/360Nm). At $46,990 (plus on-road costs), it’s also cheaper than all bar the Ford.

So it seems the 40 might just be quickest and best value hot hatch going. Not quite…

Ford currently lays claim to the ‘hottest’ hatch title, its controversial Focus RS making 257kW and 440Nm for the bargain price of $50,990 (plus on-road costs). Considering that’s just $2000 more than the 40 – and includes all-wheel drive – you could be forgiven for thinking it’s money better spent. But try buying an RS at $51K….

Mechanically the 40 shares the larger brake rotors found on the Golf GTI Performance and adds Volkswagen’s Vorderachsquersperre (electronically-clutched) locking diff, sport-mode stability control, and adaptive dampers and 19 x 7.5-inch Ruby alloys (so named to celebrate the model’s 40th anniversary).

It also picks up a new-look front bumper with larger air intakes, larger sill covers, a revised rear bumper with lift-reducing diffuser and two-piece rear roof spoiler, black body stripes, darkened LED tail-lights (a la Golf R), Honeycomb cloth and Alcantara combination upholstery and an Alcantara steering wheel.

To round off the spec-check, the 40 is equipped with black-painted mirror scalps and roof skin, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic alert. A panoramic electric glass sunroof adds $1850.

Sampling the 40 both on road and track, it’s focus is quickly evident. There’s an immediacy to the steering that, in conjunction with the newly-installed progressive variable-speed steering rack, brings sharper response on turn-in, yet is still ‘relaxed’ enough at cruising speeds.

At higher corner speeds, it’s the 40’s VAQ differential that takes care of the rest. Virtually eliminating torque steer and allowing drive to the wheels. The electronically-controlled mechanical diff simultaneously permits steering adjustment and decent drive, making it easier to maintain the right line and punch harder out of corners.

The traction and fine-tuning the differential allows mid-corner and on corner exit delivers predictability and enormous grip, so much so that it almost makes the all-wheel-drive Golf R feel redundant.

This ability really is the Golf GTI 40 Years’ party piece, if you’ll excuse the pun. It makes the car appreciably more driveable that any front-wheel drive with this much power has any right to.

Of course, the additional braking performance familiar to the GTI Performance is welcomed, especially on the track. This is the GTI as it should be, and a fitting celebration of a name synonymous with the term hot hatch for 40 years.

Volkswagen says the 40’s styling is a preview of things to come, and with any luck, the performance and driveline technology, too.

This really is the best, most liveable front-wheel drive hot hatch on offer, and given its added exclusivity, one we think you’d be mad to pass up if you’re in the market.

2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI 40 Years pricing and specifications:
Price: $46,990 / $48,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 195kW/350Nm (213kW/380Nm with overboost)
Transmission: Six-speed manual / Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Ford Focus ST (from $38,990 plus ORCs)
>> Peugeot 308 GTi 270 (from $49,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Megane RS 275 (from $53,000 plus ORCs)

Related reading:
>> Golf GTI: A History Lesson