2009 Volkswagen Golf Reviews

Golf owners got away to a good start. Then came gearbox woes. New Volkswagen launched a large range of Golf variants here, with a car for everyone, from basic transport to sizzling sportsters such as the GTi and R models. We'll focus on the most popular versions, the regular hatchbacks. The sixth-generation Golf

Those who need a sensible car, yet who also enjoy spirited driving will find the Volkswagen Golf does a good job of meeting these apparently conflicting needs.Even by Australian standards the Golf has grown in size with each new model, going from small to small-medium and finally to medium in overall dimensions. This is partly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection though there is some more interior room as well.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs. In Europe, the VW Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it's not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Golf is chiefly sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A 'Golf' four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space in the sedans is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult with the smallish boot lid sitting very low at the rear. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn't too bad. Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it's rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The mk6 Golf R, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R - somehow it wouldn't have been right to replace the R32 with an R20.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004. However, in those early days the dual-clutch DSG was often slow and awkward at very slow speeds, making it a pain in tight parking situations. Later DSGs have been improved, but still aren't as good as conventional automatic transmissions.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will cost you a lot more.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust isn't common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. Have the car inspected professionally, or find another one. Older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops and rear parcel shelves.Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it's cold. Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn't crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.CAR BUYING TIPAn area to check early in the piece is the top of the rear bumper. Careless owners may have rested luggage on it while loading the car. And careless luggage packers may also be careless drivers, even careless about having servicing carried out according to schedule. 

Volkswagen set the bar high with last year's seventh-generation Golf, combining a brilliant chassis, ergonomic efficiency and responsive turbo engines.

NEW - It was way back in the 1970s that the Golf GTi took over the hot-  hatch mantle from the Mini Cooper S, but VW has been able to do what   the Brits couldn't; keep it alive and thriving. Today's GTi is the hottest yet in a long line of hot hatches from the   German company. By any measure it's sizzling hot, and for many it's   the benchmark against which all others are measured.There can be no underestimating the fun of driving a GTi, and the   great thing is that it can be enjoyed day in and day out, on any   road, in any weather. Most people agree that there's no end to the   fun to be had with VW's great little hottie. For some the new model that lobbed here in 2005 was a case of   evolution rather than revolution, but why would you radically change   something that has worked so well.The GTi was readily distinguished from its more mundane brethren by   its lower stance, sportier front bumper, front foglights, distinct   grille, GTi badges and rear diffuser. When added up it comes to a   tough looking car. It came as a three-door and a five-door. In its three-door guise the   doors are a little longer and heavier, which means there's a bit of a   stretch back to the seat belt, but it also means easier access to the   rear seat.The engine is a bit of a fire-breather, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-  cylinder unit that delivers all the grunt you could want when presented with an open road free of other traffic, yet at the same time it's docile enough the handle the daily trundle to work without complaint. The gearbox choices were a six-speed manual and the much maligned,   but improved, DSG six-speeder that was offered up as a fun-filled auto.A new diff lock was fitted to the new GTi, which was designed to   improve traction and battle understeer, two things that tend to bring   hot front-drivers back to Earth.NOWMost GTi owners swear by their cars, they usually say they'd never   switch. But like any car they can give trouble. With any hot hatch it's important to search for signs of hard use,   look at the tyres, the brakes and anything else that could come under   extreme pressure when worked hard.Same with the turbo engine, lift the oil filler cap and inspect for   sludge, and check the service book for records of regular oil changes. Thoroughly test drive the DSG gearbox, put it to the sword under all   sorts of driving conditions, observing for any miss-shifts, rough   shifts, shuddering etc. The funky gearbox can be fun to drive, but it   can be a nightmare if its goes wrong and there are plenty of stories   of things going wrong.For most owners the thrill-a-minute driving experience is enough to   forgive any issues that crop up. One owner we spoke to had had a 2005 model for six years and covered   130,000 km without any trouble to speak of, even with the DSG.He felt the DSG was a bit slow on the uptake in city driving when in   Drive and found that driving in manual was smoother. Another owner we spoke to is on his third GTi and so far all is going swimmingly. The DSG in his previous car had a problem with shuddering, but that was sorted out under warranty. Service costs, he told us, are higher than some cars, but then so are all European cars!SMITHY SAYSA great driver sometimes brought undone by its technology.Volkswagen Golf GTi 2005-2010Price new: $40,790 to $42,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 147 kW/280 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed DSG, FWDEconomy: 8.1 L/100 km, PremiumBody: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatchVariants: GTiSafety: 5-star ANCAP  

Volkswagen Golf, a solid and sensible German car, is a major player in the European car market and in the last decade has made its mark in Australia as well.Those who need a practical car, but who enjoy driving will find the Golf goes a long way towards meeting each of these conflicting needs. Golf is a pleasant car to drive with good handing and sharp steering feel to let you get involved in what the car is doing, and with plenty of road grip even when pushed hard.These cars remain comfortable even on rough bush roads, though they are more at home in the suburbs than the far outback. These days Golf is a medium-sized car, having grown in size over the years, mainly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection.There's some more interior room as well. In Europe, Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it’s not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs.Golf is sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A ‘Golf’ four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult due to the odd location of the hinges. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn’t too bad.Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it’s rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The latest model, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will.Interiors generally stand up well, but some older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops. Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels.Look for scrapes on the bottom edges of the front mudflaps, they will often drag on the ground if the car has been cornered hard. New mudflaps could be a suspicious sign. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it’s cold.Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn’t crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.Rust isn’t common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. If you do come across any have the car inspected professionally or pass it up for another one.If there’s a problem in a used car get it fixed before you buy it. Don’t fall for the sales persons’ trick of saying you can bring it back later and everything will be sorted out then. It can be a lot harder then...

NEW - If the BMW 3-Series was once the way of buying European prestige without breaking the bank that particular baton has been passed to the VW Golf.The Golf has become a popular choice for buyers wanting something more than the Japanese and Koreans can deliver, particularly in terms of driving excitement. Like all Europeans the Golf has exceptional road manners, it feels safe and solid with responsive steering, agile handling and comfortable ride.Available as a five-door hatch it's a fine all-rounder for anyone living within the confines of our traffic-choked cities. Its external dimensions are compact, but there's still decent room inside for four.Five is a squeeze, but then few of us ever drive with a full complement of passengers on board anyway. Behind the seating lies a good-sized boot for carrying whatever it is we need to haul around with us.There' s a good choice of engines, both petrol and diesel, including an economical 1.6-litre petrol four, a spirited 2.0-litre petrol four, and 1.9 and 2.0-litre turbo-diesels. It needs to be noted that the petrol engines require premium unleaded and there's no shortcutting that requirement without risking serious internal damage to the engine.VW also offered a wide choice of transmissions, with five and six-  speed manuals, a six-speed auto with tiptronic shifting, and a six-  speed DSG auto-shifting manual. With a five-star rating from ANCAP the Golf is right on the mark for safety, boasting a full complement of front, head and side airbags, with ABS braking, emergency brake assist and traction control.NOWVW enjoyed an extended honeymoon period after the company re-entered the market in its own right a few years ago. I t was an affordable way of buying European prestige, but the love affair has struck trouble in more recent times.The German carmaker has invested heavily in technology and its cars bristle with the latest engineering advancements, but it seems its advanced technology focus has brought with it a few issues that have caused owners considerable angst.The DSG gearbox, a wonderful gearbox when it's working properly, has been one subject of regular complaint here at Carsguide and owners have regularly complained that they have had difficulty in getting their issues resolved.Complaints about the DSG gearbox have typically been rough shifting, erratic shifting where it seems the wrong gear has been chosen, selecting neutral at the most inappropriate times. We have been given a copy of a technical bulletin issued to dealers advising them of a problem with oil fouling the wiring loom controlling the gearbox, which appears to be the cause of the shifting problems.When driving a DSG-equipped Golf it's vital that you conduct a thorough assessment of the gearbox looking for the above problems. There have been reports also of engine issues with owners having to replace engines at relatively low kilometers. VW claims the failures were due to owners using the incorrect fuel, but the jury is still out on that being the real cause.When considering a VW it's important to note that you must run the fuel specified by VW and that could mean higher running costs. Cutting corners could lead to even greater expense down the road.Window regulators have been known to fail, so make sure you check the operation of all windows, front and back. While the failures have been spectacular the build quality of the Golf is generally good.Before buying a used Golf find a good independent service specialist and you'll save heaps on servicing and repairs. It's also worth having a VW specialist go over any potential purchase to give you an independent report of the condition of the car.SMITHY SAYSA good driving car let down by some fairly serious mechanical flaws. Must be approached with caution, can be very expensive when things go wrong.VW Golf 2004-2009Price new: $27,990 to $35,290Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 75 kW/148 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 110 kW/200 Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 77kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 103 kW/320 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 6-speed DSG, 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 8.2 L/100 km (1.6), 8.5 L/100 km (2.0), 5.8 L/100 km (1.9 TD), 5.7 L/100 km (2.0 TD)Body: 5-door hatchVariants: Comfortline, Trendline, SportlineSafety: 5-star ANCAP

There is a little bit of black magic at work in the new Golf GTI. Through the dark arts of electric pulses, lightning-fast data transfer and endless streams of 1s and 0s between on-board computers the sixth generation of Volkswagen's most popular little sporty has shed its nasty understeer habits and learned to love corners."It is quite amazing, the first time I drove this car it was quite unbelievable," dual Le Mans winner and former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck says. "It is all through electronics but the performance is very, very close to a mechanical limited slip differential. "You can drive it through corners now where previously it would have required specialist technique to avoid understeer."Stuck, speaking at the Australian launch of the GTI, joined the VW group just over two years ago under the stewardship of long-time friend and former VW chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder. His role covers a wide range of motorsport but specifically his initial task was to provide input and confirmation on the suspension and handling of the new GTI.The system that so impressed Stuck is the XDL (extended electron differential lock) which combined with the existing EDL (electronic differential lock) gives the front driver nearly all the characteristics of a limited slip differential assisted car. Simplistically, XDL uses sensors to read the wheel rotation, steering angle, wheel slip and a host of other parameters to compute the best combination of brake and torque to ensure maximum effect of the unloaded drive wheel when the car is tipped hard into a corner.The upshot is that power can be applied earlier and more enthusiastically through the corner without undue fear of the front end pushing through.Pricing and optionsAnd all of this is standard across a range in which the prices remain unchanged at $38,990 for the six-speed manual three-door and $40,490 for the five-door manual. As with the previous model the DSG automatic adds $2500.There is a substantial list of options: $1900 for a sunroof, $2500 for satellite navigation, $1300 for an upgraded audio system, $500 for a rear view camera, $3300 for leather trim, $2000 for dynamic bi-Xenon headlight, etc, etc — but the one must-have extra is the three stage adaptive chassis control ($1500), flowing on from the basic Golf VI and available for the first on the GTI.Volkswagen Group Australia is confident that the extraordinary level of pre-release interest will quickly translate to sales."This time there is not going to be the same supply issues we had with the last car," VGA general manager for marketing, Peter Dierks, says. "There are already 650 cars on the ground in Australia and another couple of hundred on the water. The longest a customer should have to wait for a special order car will be three months."Unlike the previous model the sixth generation GTI will be made at the home of Volkswagen in Wolfsburg.Appearance The design of the GTI pays homage to the original 1974 model with a tight horizontal grille rather than the gaping opening of the fifth generation, the use of red striping on the grille and placement of the lower air intake."It is a re-interpretation of the classic cues, but still recognisable as a GTI at first glance," Dierks says.Drivetrains There is little news on the raw performance front with the 2-litre turbocharged four up 8kW to 155kW while leaving the torque delivery untouched still a flat-bed of 280Nm peak urge on tap and ready to go from 1700rpm right through to 5200rpm.The minimal changes result in no real performance improvement but tweaks have allowed the claimed fuel efficiency to be improved by around 0.5L/100km, now 7.7L/100km for the manual and 7.6L/100km for the DSG.Driving The big changes are in how the car drives and the refinements that now make the manual a viable option to the DSG for anyone who still enjoys the idea of a connection with the car through clutch and gearshift.The adjustments to the manual give the gear lever a much more defined on-centre neutral position, shorter throws and a far sweeter and precise engagement of the ratios. With the amount of torque on hand sixth gear is only ever going to be seen on highway cruising with most of the business taking place between third and fifth.Overall, the nuts and bolts of changes to the GTI over the stand Golf are not huge but clearly very focussed.The car rides 22mm lower at the front and 15mm lower in the rear, the front track is 7mm narrower than it's more common sibling with a 1mm increase at the rear, it does get unique spring, rollbar and damper settings and of course the XDL programming.The safety package is impressive, with stability control, traction control, EDL, ABS, EBD and brake assist all standard along with seven airbags and a 5-star crash safety rating.Interior trim and equipment is as good as has come to be expected from VW with the standard tartan cloth trimmed sports seats both comfortable and supportive with a good range of manual adjustments.It doesn't take long on a twisty road to see just how big an improvement this generation Golf is over the one it replaces. The first tightening corner, approached with the caution instilled by a history of understeer, is dismissed by the GTI with an arrogant shrug and a "let's get on with this" attitude.More aggressive approaches, early application of throttle and increased steering inputs are all met with a balance and confidence the GTI, for all it's heritage as a sporty toy, could never previously claim. Obvious intervention from the stability control comes only after it becomes a challenge to find the limits of the little VW's new cornering prowess. For the record, it is well out beyond territory most owners will ever visit.Ride on the basic static chassis is a good compromise of tautness and comfort — not perfect, but no compromise is. However, with the optional adaptive chassis control the ability to suit the ride to the circumstance is considerably expanded. The comfort setting is considerably softer and best suited to situations where enthusiastic changes of direction are unlikely, or road surfaces are broken to the degree of being uncomfortable. The middle, or standard, setting is comparable to the static chassis experience while the sport setting both tightens the ride and sharpens the steering.Overall, an excellent compromise of sporting intent and day to day practicality. 

That's the lure of hybrids and the reason why cars such as Toyota's Prius is so attractive to green-tinged and fuel-conscious buyers. But are they the be-all and end-all of personal transport?

So you, the driver, can choose who sits in the remaining seat. No kids in the back jabbing each other with their elbows, staring at the floor so they turn green with car sickness or whine about not be

And VW has taken that approach with the new version.The GTI has long been the yardstick for the hot hatch class, and has a huge fan club. It´s sold 1.7 million around the world since it first appeared in 1976. In Australia, the Golf was VW´s best-selling model last year, and about 25 per cent of the 11,632 buyers were happy to pay the extra $13,000 whack to get into the GTI.So the new car has been patterned after the old one in just about every way. Anything that has been changed in this sixth generation still follows the recipe, and a lot has been carried over.The body is still in both three-door or five-door form, but now crouches 22mm lower at the front and 15mm at the rear, sitting on retuned springs, dampers and stabilisers, all aiming to increase the already agile handling..There are subtle changes to the looks, mainly around the front. Where the previous model had a gaping grille and rounded light elements, the revamped version of the black honeycomb grille has a body-coloured strip dissecting it, and the red bezel accent is now parallel lines accentuating the more geometric foglights and chunkier lower air dam.At the tail, the dual exhausts and revised diffuser have come from the concept shown at the recent Paris Motor Show, but apart from those details there is little altered around the back.Slip into the driver’s seat and you’ll find the flat-bottomed steering wheel has been given a cosmetic brush-up with more red-stitched finish, the centre stack has been revamped a little, and there are touches of chrome on the instruments.The car gets the a turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder TSI engine, with the same 280Nm of torque as the previous GTI but 8kW more power at 155kW due to a slightly modified induction system, and changes to pistons and pumps that make for less friction.The maximum toque now has an earlier entry and even better spread from 1700-5200rpm (1800-5000 previously), but there is no gain over the 0-100km/h of 6.9 seconds (auto) and 7.2 seconds (manual) of the outgoing mode. However, the rolling acceleration from 80-120km/h is 7.5 seconds in fifth gear and 9.6 seconds in sixth – slower than figures clocked during independent tests of GTI MkV that had it at 6.9 and 8.6 respectively.However it has picked up 5km for the top speed to come in at 240 km/h, and has cut fuel consumption from 8.2l/100km down to 7.5l/100. Emissions are similarly down from 197g/km of CO2 to 170g/km of CO2, helping it meet Euro 5 emissions compliance. .Those hoping to see the seven-speed twin-clutch transmission that is trickling across the Volkswagen stables will be disappointed – the GTI is keeping the six-slot DSG for the moment, along with the six-speed manual – until the seven is developed to handle a better torque load.However there are still some important – although not revolutionary — changes under the skin, including a new electronically controlled diff that loads up the inside wheel in cornering for better traction, handling and to reduce understeer. It’s not activated by slip, and not actually a diff lock as such, but more an application of judicious braking to bring the wheel under better control.And just in case you exceed the limit of the diff’s ability, there’s now a seventh (knee) airbag.The main feature (seen on a lot of stable-mate Audi’s cars) is an adaptive chassis control system with three modes – comfort, normal and sport – that can be selected to change the suspension and steering to suit the conditions. Sadly, it’s not standard but an option on other Golfs, and could end up being an expensive addition to the GTI.Also available as an option is adaptive cruise control, which automatically brakes and accelerates between 30k-210 km/h, bi-xenon headlights, revised park assist that now guides you into any spot as small as 1.1metres longer than the car (1.4 previously).There are no indications yet of whether the GTI will be hit with a huge price increase, and the decision is more likely to depend on currency exchange rates than any other factor.However VW Australia spokesman Karl Gehling says efforts will be made to keep it close to the current model’s prices, which start at $38,990 for the three-door manual.“We worked hard on the new Golf to maintain a competitive price point, and will do the same with GTI,” Gehling says.“We want to keep it as close to the current pricing as possible, but we have to take into account the different specification for the new GTI, and of course there’s the effect of whatever happens with the Australian dollar.”Gehling says that while he won’t make any sales predictions, VW could reasonably expect to hold the current figures of 200-250 per monthDriving The GTI at once feels familiar, and yet you’re aware of the changes. For a start, the engine sounds rortier – but that could be extra noise defence padding the cabin.Except for some wind-rush around the wing mirrors, the interior is now hush-quiet – all the better to hear the engine with, especially in Sport mode on the DSG where you get a delicious crackle and pop through the changes.And that’s where you’ll probably want to keep it, if you opt for the twin-clutch. The normal fully auto mode is noticeably sluggish by comparison … although probably better designed for you to approach the official improved fuel figure.But it will be tempting to ignore the fuel budget, because the engine is an enthusiastic partner in environmental crime, letting you dip into the torque quite early and happy to give up more right across the range.Steering is precise and refined, perhaps too refined as there were complaints from some of the drivers at the launch in France about a lack of feedback. However VW says nothing has changed on the system from MkV GTI.And the tendency of the comfort setting on the chassis control system to render the steering and dynamic abilities of a chocolate pudding — compared with the sport mode – didn’t endear it a great deal. In comfort mode with full auto on the DSG, the car felt too sluggish, and very uncharacteristic of a GTI.Dialling up the sportiest notch on the chassis control system helped the dynamics a bit when you were in auto, but by far the best fun of course is with all that added to the DSG’s sport function.It insists on holding the gears, changes down almost before you think you want to and offers slot-car manners around the corners.The suspension in this setting was brilliant for cutting through some sharp cornering, but you could clearly feel the effect when the wheels hit uneven edges in some places.The manual shift is smooth and solid — without being heavy — and deliciously precise, and is probably going to remain the favourite of those who want to really get to grips with their driving, despite VW saying the DSG shifts faster.The electronic stability control is unobtrusive, and there was little sign of understeer – even when it was punched hard through the bends – which suggests that the faux diff control’s braking effect is a worthwhile system.Of course, most of those performance and handling points are part of the recipe of the current model. But with the new – or slightly new – one, it’s all slightly improved.