VW Golf Mk1 GTI Review: Hawt Hatch

By topgear, 01 August 2015

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Singapore - My fascination with GTIs started when Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Mk5 GTI on TopGear, comparing it to the Mk1 GTI - the way it handled, the practicality and the power, it seemed that the VW boffins had re-created the Mk5 to be similar in spirit to the Mk1.

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In fact, I bought my Mk5 GTI based entirely on that episode and I'm now on my second GTI, a Mk7.

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Imagine my delight when I was asked if I would like to do a quick-and-nasty comparison between the Mk1 and my current Mk7 GTI.

I jumped at the opportunity to finally take a drive in the car that many motoring journalists have been showering praises on, especially since it arguably kick-started the whole fascination with the hot-hatch movement.

Sure, there might have been earlier pocket-rockets, but the VW Golf was the one to put the hot-hatch on the performance map.

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Moreover, I love the look of the Mk1 over any modern car, especially since its distinctive upright three-door form could accommodate two+two in a pinch, just like my five-door Mk7.

The only thing is, I am not a motoring journalist. (Ed: that's probably a good thing!)

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A father of a two year old, I'm more likely to qualify as an automotive tweener. Someone looking for a Jekyll-and-Hyde equivalent to a car: A car that could satisfy my need for speed, yet offer a level of refinement for my family – as opposed to the focused Mk1's one mode: raring to go all the time!

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My first impression of the Mk1 was its age, being almost four decades old, the car looked and smelt the part. The little signs of rust and cracking plastics added to the occasion.

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Driving the little GTI was a mixed bag of emotions, rowing through the long throw gearbox, wrestling with the non-power assisted steering and wide-eyed-inducing brakes.

Yes, I had no idea that a brake pedal could be linked with how wide my eyes could open. Especially when you're trying desperately to slow down for a corner.

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To be fair, when you wring the peppy eight-valver out to its redline, there's a sense of urgency and primal joy as you're tackling both the straights, as well as the twisty bits of roads. Which brings me to the inevitable comparison between the Mk7 and the Mk1.

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The Mk7 allows me to select my kind of drive depending on my mood, 'Comfort' for a relaxing drive and 'Sport' for when you're feeling a little naughty – perfect for my Spotified, Internet-ready, on-demand kind of world where I choose the kind of drive I like – the elastic performance of the turbocharged two-litre is versatile enough to give in to my whims.

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Granted, in Sports mode, the Mk7 is much less direct than the intense Mk1 or even the Mk5 that I owned before, but I'm okay with that.

It seems that boffins at VW have been closely monitoring the needs of the modern motorist, profiled our likes and dislikes and projected them into the car to create an all-rounded package that is perfect for the 'people'.

STORY Benjy Choo
PHOTOS Gerald Yuen / David Khoo / Benjy Choo

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Mk1 Golf GTI 1.6
Engine: 1588cc, inline4, 8v
Power/rpm: 108bhp/6100rpm
Torque/rpm: 146Nm/5000rpm
Transmission: 4spd manual
0-100km/h: 9.2secs
Top speed: 181km/h
Kerbweight: est. 810kg

Mk1 Golf GTI 1.8
Engine: 1781cc, inline4, 8v
Power/rpm: 112bhp/5800rpm
Torque/rpm: 152NM/3500rpm
Transmission: 5spd manual
0-100km/h: 8.4secs
Top speed: 180km/h
Kerbweight: est. 840kg

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Mk7 Golf GTI
Engine: 1984cc, inline4, 16v
Power/rpm: 220bhp/4500-6200rpm
Torque/rpm: 350Nm/1500-4400rpm
Transmission: 6spd DSG
0-100km/h: 6.5secs
Top speed: 245km/h
Kerbweight: 1370kg

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