CLOSE UP test drive: VW Golf GTI MK7

 In this blog entry, I'm writing about the NEW Volkswagen Golf GTI MK7.  This car WON 2 LOCAL PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS over the past week. namely, NST Maybank CBT Car of the Year 2013 Judges Choice AND Autocar ASEAN Best Performance Car.

I managed to test drive the Golf GTI MK7.
 The one I test driven's FULL SPEC with Tech Pack (RM12,000 option) which adds DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) - more on this later, leather seats and
Electrical Adjustable Driver seat.

The Golf GTI's priced RM229,888 OTR With insurance as tested.  Note that VW Malaysia increased its price by RM2,000 recently.

How's the car?

This is a SWISS ARMY KNIFE of Car.  A truly all rounder.  Track car - CHECK, City car - CHECK, Family car - CHECK, Comfortable Highway cruiser - CHECK.  Put it this way, It's the ONLY 5 seater CAR you'll need.  Unless you want an MPV or SUV.

This is a high-performance version of the latest Golf MK7. Our local Golf GTI comes with the standard 220 PS 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, 10 PS more than before. Not to let the horsepower grab the limelight, the engine also produces 350 Nm of torque, a good 70 Nm bump from the Mk6 GTI.

 The EA 288 2.0 TSI engine is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch DSG (wet, not dry type), and the new GTI performed the 0-100 km/h dash in 6.5 seconds (6.9 on the previous) and continues to a top speed of 246 km/h.

The New Golf GTI MK7 now comes with optional Tech Pack, which adds another RM10,000 to the price. For that, the GTI will have Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) with Driving Profile Selection, which gives five modes – Sport, Normal, Comfort, ECO and Individual.

There’s also Vienna leather seats with red stitching, with a 12-way electric adjustable driver seat replete with lumbar support. More options – you can swap out the standard 18-inch Austin wheels for 19-inch ‘Santiago’ alloys wrapped in 225/35 R19 for another RM3,000.

These options are not available on the three-door Golf GTI, which is offered only in a ‘Pure’ specification trim and is available on a BTO (built-to-order) basis. Another catch is that the cheaper three-door version goes without many of the bits and pieces that are standard on the five-door model.

For the 3-door Golf GTI MK7,  due to the much cheaper price, out goes the bi-xenon headlights, replaced by halogens, while 17-inch ‘Brooklyn’ wheels are in place over the five-door’s standard 18s. Also deleted are LED fog lights, powered foldable side mirrors, auto wipers, cruise control, and parking sensors.

Wait, I haven't finish, the 5.8-inch screen is replaced by a smaller 5.0-inch display that goes without USB or Bluetooth connectivity. Also, automatic climate control is replaced by a manual unit, and the number of speakers is halved from eight to four. Too bad Volkswagen Malaysia didn’t go one step further and specify a manual gearbox to go with it.

There are four shades of colour options namely  carbon steel grey metallic, tornado red solid, pure white solid and deep black pearl.
DRIVE TIME:

I cannot comment much because I only had a short 6km drive from VW TTDI to Penchala Link and back.  But WHAT A DRIVE!  The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) have 3 modes.  Comfort, Normal and SPORTS.  The Sales Advisor set to SPORT and off we go.  Believe it or not, I touched 170km/h briefly on the Penchala link.  The car's FUN yet EASY to drive with.  No wonder it Won the NST Maybank CBT Car of the Year Award 2013 and Autocar ASEAN Best Performance Car award.

Rating: 9.5/10. 
 
Well there's a Saying a picture's worth 1000 words.  Enjoy the Photo gallery.

Above: Electronic Parking Brake.  Below: Dual Zone Automatic Air Cond.

Above and Below, EXCELLENT Headroom and legroom.

 

That's all folks, thanks for the time and patience to read this blog entry.  An original Jefferson Lim's production.  If you want to buy this car, Please call Me, Jefferson Lim 012-6852-718, tell me your Location and I Arrange for you.  Alternatively, pleaae find the following Professional Sales executives:

Volkswagen PJ by Federal Auto (FA Wagen): Jln 222, Sonia Wee, Ernest

Volkswagen TTDI: Kenneth Yau, Danial Chong