2006 Volkswagen GTI Review

The sporty, affordable Volkswagen GTI hatchback was the first of the small, fast, good-handling cars called "pocket rockets'' when it arrived in 1983 with a decidedly exuberant nature.

The front-drive GTI was introduced as a sportier version of Volkswagen's practical Rabbit economy model. It came when fun-to-drive cars were surfacing after a decade of mostly boring cars, as automakers mainly worked to meet new government regulations.

Desperate to review exciting cars, Car and Driver magazine used this headline to announce the arrival of the 1983 GTI: "The car we've all been waiting for.''

That first GTI had a 90-horsepower four-cylinder from the sporty Volkswagen Scirocco instead of the standard Volkswagen Rabbit's 74-horsepower engine. The GTI also had a tauter suspension, alloy wheels, sports seats, special steering wheel, simulated aluminum trim instead of the regular Rabbit's fake woodgrain and unique black-out exterior trim with red moldings and badges.

The Rabbit GTI was renamed the Golf GTI when the Golf replaced the Rabbit in 1985. Based on the newest Golf, it's now simply called the "GTI."

The redesigned 2006 front-drive GTI is the fifth-generation GTI and among the best autos in the revived pocket rocket youth-oriented market, which contains cars such as the Mini Cooper S and Honda Civic Si.

Various GTI models generally have been too soft and heavy since the second-generation model was replaced. One even had a 115-horsepower engine that made it as much fun as a broken carnival ride.

Volkswagen has been trading on the reputation of the first two generations of GTIs, after making the third and fourth generation models overly luxurious and "grown-up."

"But, with the new GTI, we've set out to recapture the spirit of the original GTI," Volkswagen says.

The GTI comes as a two-door hatchback, and a four-door version will be offered this year. Some will welcome the four-door because lots of agility is needed to enter or leave the rear-seat area of the two-door version -- despite long, heavy doors that are a trial to use in tight parking spots.

There's decent rear seat room for two tall adults in the functional, high-quality cockpit, although legs of a 6-footer will touch the back of the driver's seat if it is shoved back a lot. The supportive front seats have awkward rotary seatback adjusters, but there's a handy driver-seat-height adjuster.

No GTI has won a beauty contest, and the 2006 model won't, either. The car has an aggressive-looking front end, but a chunky shape. However, wheels are pulled to the extreme body corners for the best interior room and good ride and handling.

There is a new turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts, direct fuel injection and 16 valves from the Audi A3 (Volkswagen controls Audi). The smooth, quiet engine produces 200 horsepower with no turbo lag and is responsive throughout its rpm range.

Even fifth gear in the standard six-speed manual gearbox provides decent 65-75 mph passing on highways despite the small engine. With some similar-size engines, downshifting two to three gears is required for swift passing.

The six-speed manual gearbox is in the regular $21,990 GTI. Also offered is a six-speed "DSG" automated manual gearbox that provides lightning-quick shifts via steering wheel paddles without a floor clutch. The DSG unit also functions in fully automatic mode and raises the GTI price to $23,065.

Steering wheel paddles can be awkward to use, but the standard manual gearbox is rather notchy and works with a clutch that's light but has a very long throw.

Estimated fuel economy with the regular manual is 23 mpg in the city and 32 on highways. Figures with the DSG are 25 and 31.

Premium gasoline is recommended for the best performance, but Volkswagen says regular-grade fuel can be used if a driver doesn't mind slightly reduced performance.

The GTI is based on the fifth-generation Golf platform and is slightly longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Also, the wheelbase -- distance between axles -- has been stretched 2.6 inches to 101.5 inches for better handling and to create more passenger room.

The new GTI is 374 pounds heavier despite the lighter standard gearbox, but has 20 more horsepower from a slightly larger engine.

The U.S. version of the made-in-Germany GTI stands a bit higher than the European version to meet U.S. bumper-height requirements. That resulted in extra suspension travel for a softer ride.

The extra weight and height of the larger GTI also doesn't make the car as graceful as the European version during quick maneuvers. But a new, fully independent sports suspension provides excellent handling and easily soaks up bumps.

Fairly large 17-inch wheels with wide 45-series performance tires also help handling, which can be enhanced by optional 18-inch wheels and wider 40-series tires.

The electro-mechanic variable assisted power rack-and-pinion steering is quick, and stopping power is good. The brake pedal feels a little soft, but its linear action helps allow consistently smooth stops.

Standard are anti-lock all-disc brakes with electronic brake pressure distribution, along with traction control and anti-skid systems.

The rigidly built car's safety features include front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags.

Comfort and convenience equipment includes a tilt/telescopic three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD sound system, cruise control and power windows and locks with remote keyless entry.

The roomy cargo area has a low, wide opening. Rear seatbacks flip forward and sit fairly flat to enlarge that area. The hatch has two interior indented pull-down areas to keep hands from getting dirty on outside sheet metal.

The hood is held up by a hydraulic strut, which beats the old-fashioned prop rod found on many new cars, and fluid filler areas are easily reached without getting clothes dirty.

The new GTI is the most refined GTI and offers an excellent blend of performance and practicality. Too bad it's not more stylish. 

2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 

PRICES: $21,990-$23,065

LIKES: Fast. Good handling. Nice ride. Fairly roomy.

DISLIKES: Rather notchy manual shifter. Long clutch throw. Wide, heavy doors. Boxy look.