First round finalist: Anyone who imagines this is merely a Golf GTI minus the vowel is disabused of the notion in 7.7 seconds.
That's the time it takes this latest and cleverest incarnation of the exceptionally successful Mark V Golf rangeto reach 100km/h from standing.
Looking for all the world like a conventional Golf, there are devilishly clever things happening under the bonnet. The engine is a slight 1.4-litres, but is uniquely configured with both a supercharger and a turbocharger.
Driven through a slick DSG gearbox, performance is seamless and economy enviable. More than any current Golf, the GT lends itself equally to carving B-road or puttering about the 'burbs as a family drive.
Snapshot
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GT SPORT
Price: $37,290
Engine: 1.4-litre/4-cylinder twincharged 125kW/240Nm transmission: 6-speed DSG
Economy: 7.7L/100km
Do you think this is a worthy Car of the Year finalist?
For all the latest on the carsguide Car Of The Year each week go to www.carsguide.com.au/caroftheyear
