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By
EWAN KENNEDY
24 September 2007
"You can’t have it both ways," is one of the hard lessons we
learn in life, and the truth of the statement becomes all the more
obvious as we mature. Yet Volkswagen’s engineers have never quite
accepted this. Nowhere is this more evident than in the special Golf GT
that arrived in Australia a few months ago.
Because this car really does try to give you motoring both
ways. It provides plenty of pep from its engine, a sporty feeling
in the steering and suspension and a positive body kit that makes
you proud to be seen in the car.
Yet, at the same time, is surprisingly economical, has a ride
that remains comfortable in all normal driving and the looks
aren't so over-the-top that the police will take a dislike to
them.
The heart of the new Golf GT is its very unusual engine.
Displacing a tiny 1.4 litres, it’s called the TSI Twincharger.
It uses both a supercharger and turbocharger to greatly boost its
power output. The supercharger pumps more air into the engine at
low revs, the turbo at higher revs. Both can operate at the same
time in mid range. Neither will be used until required.
The supercharger only works until 2500 rpm under normal
circumstances, but can provide boost as high as 3500 revs. Unlike
most superchargers, the TSI's unit is disengaged when it’s not
required. This means it’s not robbing the engine of any power.
Just as importantly the supercharger can run at a faster speed
than it normally would, and thus provides extra boost.
When not being worked hard the engine runs without either the
supercharger or turbocharger. A boost gauge on the dashboard lets
the driver know what’s happening, though in a fairly rudimentary
manner. But there's no need to keep an eye on it because the car’s
electronics are making all the correct decisions.
The reasons behind this setup up are simple. Using a small
engine means low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. A small
engine is smoother than a large one and is very willing to pick up
revs quickly. Thus making it a delight to sit behind.
This tiny engine puts out an impressive 125 kW, and 240 Nm, the
latter all the way from 1750 rpm to 4500 rpm. Many drivers will
spend virtually all their time with the engine running at its peak
torque figure for maximum efficiency. It has plenty of performance
for safe overtaking, smart runs off the lights, or simply to
provide real driving pleasure.
There is no turbo lag as the supercharger works to help the
turbocharger up to efficient operating speeds. Thus the TSI engine
is more pleasant to sit behind than a conventional turbo-petrol
engine. And is quieter and smoother than a turbo-diesel while
using similar amounts of fuel.
While the 1.4 Twincharger engine sounds complicated, keep in
mind that a normal engine offering the same performance would have
a capacity of around 2.5 litres, need a V6 configuration and
probably run four overhead camshafts and internal balance shafts.
As well as variable timing on the valves and possibly a variable
intake tract as well. So the Twincharger is relatively simple in
comparison.
Fuel consumption during out test period was typically in the
six to seven litres per hundred kilometres range in country and
motorway driving. It seldom rose much over nine litres per hundred
kilometres even when worked hard in suburban and city conditions.
These are impressive figures for a car of this size, performance
and refinement.
The Golf GT has much the same suspension setup as the Golf GTi
so has sharp steering and precise handling, yet it has a good
degree of ride comfort, even on the worst of Australian backroads.
Golf has always impressed us with its solid build feel and the way
that its body gives the impression that it will last just about
forever.
The front seats provide good support and there's enough room
behind them for a pair of full-sized adults. The rear seats are
quite generous in their dimensions though there's no attempt at
providing any side support in them. Which is fair enough because
it does let you juggle children in a variety of sizes while
keeping decent comfort for all.
Boot space is generous and a couple of good size suitcases can
be carried. There's excellent depth thanks to the use of a
space-saver spare wheel/tyre.
Volkswagen's Golf GT sells for a reasonable $34,990 with a
conventional six-speed manual gearbox and $37,290 when a six-speed
DSG automated manual is specified.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Golf 1.4 GT TSI 1.4-litre five-door hatch - $34,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: $2300
CD Player: Standard
Driver Airbag: Standard
Passenger Airbag: Standard
Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS (Volkswagen Golf GT 1.4-litre five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.390 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 76.5 x 75.6 mm
Maximum Power: 125 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 240 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4204 mm
Wheelbase: 2578 mm
Width: 1759 mm
Height: 1479 mm
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 1340kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Towing Ability: NA
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts with lower
A-arms, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, four-link, coil springs, anti-roll
bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.9 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 15.8 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 98RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.7 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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