By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(August 4, 2017) Those of us who don't spend our day kicking around Volkswagen for its diesel fuel-economy-cheating scandal, put that time to good use celebrating its gasoline-fueled cars. High on the list of the cars worthy of praise is the Golf, and high on the list of Golf iterations is the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

For pure performance, comfort and fun, the Golf GTI is tough to beat. It's about as close to perfection as a mechanical device can be. If this sounds over the top, you have never settled into the driver's seat, sparked up its 220-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, slid the tranny into gear, and goosed the throttle. What a rush!

Buying into this much fun will set you back $26,415, including factory delivery charges, for the entry-level S grade. It uses a 210-horsepower version of the same engine. At the top of the GTI heap is the Autobahn trim at $34,915. In between are the Sport and SE grades. My test Golf was the GTI Sport, ringing the register at $28,815, when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission that's standard on every GTI. My test car had the optional 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, adding $1,100 to the bottom line for a total of $29,915.



In a nod to nostalgia, VW still uses the term Performance Package as shorthand for the bundle of features that not only includes the 10-pony boost in engine grunt, but also an electronically controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential and the larger brakes borrowed from the Golf R. Missing on the S trim, the Performance Package goodies are standard on all other GTI versions.

Some of the car buff magazines have tested the GTI in a sprint from stop to 60 miles per hour in just over 6.5 seconds with the more potent version of the GTI turbo. I won't question that measurement. This hatchback is quick. Its peak of 258 lb-ft of torque arrives at around 1500 revs and stays steady to about 4500 rpm. Even in 6th gear, there is a reserve of oomph if you need a burst of speed.

To achieve the engine's maximum performance, you need to pump premium fuel. Sticking with the manual transmission earns a government-estimated 24 miles per gallon in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in combined driving. Opting for the automatic tranny drops the highway figure to 32 mpg and the combined to 27 mpg.

Spot-on steering and tight suspension make for composed performance in the curves. Sans virtually any body roll when cornering, the chassis brilliantly juggles flat, smooth surfaces and twisting curves. Engineered to be pushed hard, the Golf GTI answers the whip with drama-free fervor.

Outside of the Performance Package, the only extras the Sport grade provides over and above the entry-level S trim are Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive system, and keyless locking with push-button start. Otherwise Sport's standard features mimic those of the S with the plaid seating inserts, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full power accessories, trip computer, manual climate control, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, 6.5-inch touchscreen, 8-speaker audio system with satellite radio capability and USB port. Additional standard features on all Golf GTI grades include hill-hold control and heated outboard mirrors.

Inside, the cabin is surprisingly roomy for a hatchback with such a tidy footprint. Supportive seats keep you upright when blasting the corners. Interior styling is clean, functional and, well, German. The hatchback design makes for a large, easy-to-access cargo hold.

No question, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI was engineered with the enthusiast in mind. Drivers more interested in solid transportation rather than grin-inducing performance can drop back to the regular Golf. For those of us, however, who believe getting there should be a mind-altering experience, the Golf GTI is just what the doctor ordered.