Test drive | Volkswagen Golf GTI 40th anniversary: ​​Emerald wedding anniversary, young heart

Basically speaking, there’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the eighth generation of the Golf GTI. Still offered with a turbocharged four-cylinder that can be guided by a manual gearbox, it retains the basic DNA of almost all of the sports compacts that have been born in the present millennium. Sound 40^e anniversary exposes this desire for continuity as well as its resilience in the face of headwinds, when its future in this form is anything but certain. Embark with us on its anniversary cuvée.

Design

Launched last year in Canada, the eighth generation of the Golf is in a way an evolution on the same theme. 4.3 m long, of which 2.6 m are measured between the two axles, this Golf remains faithful to a size that is always abnormally reserved in a context where delusions of grandeur are winning over the entire industry. This grind 40^e Anniversaire embellishes the base material with glossy black parts as well as its roof to add contrasts that harmonize fairly well with the 19-inch Scottsdale wheels adorned with a red line. Note also the presence of honeycomb decals covering the bottom of the doors as well as the number “40” in italics. The posture of this GTI remains restrained in a category where contenders can easily succumb to exaggeration.

On board

The positioning of this Golf GTI certainly does not deviate from the fundamental precepts of sports compacts which were written by its ancestor, the Rabbit GTI. The presence of a tailgate adds an undeniable practical aspect to the recipe in addition to the general layout of the passenger compartment, which makes good use of the space offered. The good height of the roof as well as the generous glazed surface greatly ventilate the whole, in addition to promoting visibility. All is not perfect, of course. Volkswagen’s tactile turn has drawn a lot of criticism since its launch, which the automaker plans to adjust soon. In the meantime, we have to negotiate with non-backlit keys to adjust the audio volume as well as the ambient temperature. The other tactile keys are correctly placed, but require a level of attention that is clearly too high.

Under the hood

It still falls to a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder to provide the spirit. Fourth generation of the EA888 family launched in 2008, this engine produces 241 hp and 273 lb-ft at just 1600 rpm. Fairly torquey, the engine responds with grip when you press the accelerator from a standing start. The front axle then jumps, trying to establish motor skills. The standard manual gearbox does an acceptable job, but has a lever with a somewhat long stroke and a clutch that is not very communicative. However, the feeling of the gear changes is satisfactory. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox remains a safe bet in parallel. Finally, note that this GTI boasts very reasonable fuel consumption that can be under 8 L/100 km without requiring 91 octane fuel.

Behind the wheel

With just over 1400 kg to tow, this GTI can almost be considered a featherweight in the economy. Thanks to a very fast rack and variable gear ratio, it is this lightness that is denoted from the outset. The movements are flowing and naturally transmit the behavior of the chassis to the driver. The seats – checkered, tradition requires – also keep us very well in place during the exercise, which is very satisfying thanks to the remarkable stability of the car. Dynamic damping is part of the arsenal of this 40 edition^e Anniversaire leans towards a firmness that seems a little too full-bodied when negotiating a series of joints or crevasses. Note also the skill of the limited-slip differential that makes this GTI shine even more.

Embedded technologies

We briefly discussed it in the interior design section: Volkswagen has chosen to wage war on physical buttons here in the name of a sleek design. This was done at the cost of intuitiveness, which requires complete dependence on the multimedia system. Despite everything, the latter remains in itself among the good proposals of the segment. It is fast and has a still logical structure. However, it requires multiple manipulations for adjustments that we would benefit from having at hand, including that of the traction control and stability control system. The control menu for the various mechanical components is very complete and the configuration of the digital instrumentation, which is done by means of haptic keys that do not always cooperate on the steering wheel, is an added value.

The verdict

Presenting a bill of $37,000, this Golf GTI 40^e anniversary is a rare bargain in today’s automotive world. Its equipment is complete, its engine is among the best in the segment and it is amply playful to enhance everyday life without going overboard with sloppy soundproofing or excessive firmness. However, it is not a sensational machine like a Honda Civic Type R or a Hyundai Elantra N, preferring refinement to total extroversion. Certainly, the configuration of its dashboard will not please everyone, but we have to admit that we cannot disqualify it solely because of this shortcoming. So, despite some ergonomic errors, we can say that this Golf GTI still shines 40 years after its arrival on North American soil.