Test Drive: 2006 GTI
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Washington DC
Rep Power: 424 
Test Drive: 2006 GTI
I was at H2O International yesterday and today (a big VW show) and VW had the new GTI out for test driving. Since the US one isn't coming until Feb, they had RIGHT HAND DRIVE GTIs for playing around in.
RHD is a bit odd when you're driving on "the wrong side" of the road. Trying to hug the shoulder line is a bit tough. Shifting is a bit odd since you're pulling gears towards you.
Review of the car.... in the few minutes I had it... the car has some *****. The 2.0T puts out 200 HP and it throws down almost all its torque instantly. I don't like the fact that it dies at higher RPMs, but it pulls pretty hard, I just wished it would have kept on building rather than fall off. No boost lag, it just comes right on, it feels much smoother than the 1.8T. The transmission is a 6-speed, its better than the old 6 speed, but its still notchy and a bit disconnected feeling. They also went to the BMW style gas pedal with the pivot on the bottom. Drive by wire is one of the best I've played with yet, its pretty instant, although there's still enough delay you have to hold the throttle blip to downshift without lurching the car. The brakes are just awesome, the handling... don't know. It drove fine, but with the VW guy in the car, its hard to pound on it. It drove great at normal speed. They don't have a price, they just project 22-24K.
The interior is VW minimalist, it looks like you can get it with nav, the steering wheel is nicely contoured and the gauges are just a redo of the Mk 4 ones but moved around a little and snazzed up.
Oh yeah... I love the plaid seat cloth.
RHD is a bit odd when you're driving on "the wrong side" of the road. Trying to hug the shoulder line is a bit tough. Shifting is a bit odd since you're pulling gears towards you.
Review of the car.... in the few minutes I had it... the car has some *****. The 2.0T puts out 200 HP and it throws down almost all its torque instantly. I don't like the fact that it dies at higher RPMs, but it pulls pretty hard, I just wished it would have kept on building rather than fall off. No boost lag, it just comes right on, it feels much smoother than the 1.8T. The transmission is a 6-speed, its better than the old 6 speed, but its still notchy and a bit disconnected feeling. They also went to the BMW style gas pedal with the pivot on the bottom. Drive by wire is one of the best I've played with yet, its pretty instant, although there's still enough delay you have to hold the throttle blip to downshift without lurching the car. The brakes are just awesome, the handling... don't know. It drove fine, but with the VW guy in the car, its hard to pound on it. It drove great at normal speed. They don't have a price, they just project 22-24K.
The interior is VW minimalist, it looks like you can get it with nav, the steering wheel is nicely contoured and the gauges are just a redo of the Mk 4 ones but moved around a little and snazzed up.
Oh yeah... I love the plaid seat cloth.
Last edited by Boilermaker1; Sep 25, 2005 at 05:59 PM.
Nothing works better than a Chris except a Honda.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Rep Power: 346 New GTi def. worth it. I've heard it proclaimed the best GTi ever. It has the most mods done over the regular Golf... It is actually sportier than luxurious.
I'm still not feeling that black mustache and beard over the front. I guess it looks better than the chrome ones on other VW's.
I'm still not feeling that black mustache and beard over the front. I guess it looks better than the chrome ones on other VW's.
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