2006 Volkswagen GTI

It was the first, but not the last, angular, but never square, sporty and quick, yet as practical as a backpack. "It" was the Volkswagen GTI, which first went on sale in the U.S. 23 years ago. At the time, the GTI was a groundbreaker—the original hot rod hatchback. Being the first of its kind, the GTI was soon followed by a host of imitators, mostly Japanese. And over time, as the competitors got more and more competitive, the GTI got less so. Successive generations of VW's pocket rocket seemed to orbit further and further away from the original concept. The wake-up call came recently. Volkswagen recognized this lack of focus and used it to refocus on what GTI was about. So, when it came time to benchmark the fifth-generation model, VW reached back to their roots, and referenced their first generation GTI.

Styling

As with the original, the basic building block for the new car is a two-door hatchback (then Rabbit, now Golf). Several styling wrinkles distinguish the GTI from the Golf, starting with a distinctive front end. The shield-shaped grille that started with Audi has now spread throughout the VW lineup. It appears here as a blacked-out honeycomb wedge, spilling over a bumper divider with a red line tracing a thin smile outline around the upper grille. Halogen fog lamps are recessed into two flanking panels. Though they look like air intakes, the sub grilles are ornamental as opposed to functional. Book-ending the main grille are freeform, Xenon headlamps.


Seen in silhouette, GTI shows tall tires and a low profile, with 18-inch "Hufweisen" alloy rims announcing themselves as must-haves from the option sheet ($750). Black trim traces the windows and valances, and a spoiler perches on the rear roof edge. A curving rear end rounds out the walk-around view with GTI lettering appearing discretely here as on the front. Dual chrome exhaust tips poke out from below, and the VW logo dead center on the decklid doubles as the latch for the liftback door. In all, a hatchback hottie, offered in five colors—Candy White, Black Magic, United Gray, Tornado Red, and Reflex Silver.


The cabin's appointments signal the GTI's sporting intent. A phat 3-spoke steering wheel has a meaty heft and is studded with auxiliary controls for audio and trip computer. Brightwork rings the gauges, and alloy trims the shifter, doorsills, dash and pedals (dead and live). The seats are sport designed and well bolstered to keep you planted during spirited driving. Base versions have a tasteful, tartan cloth insert—a styling shout-out to early GTIs. Optional sport seats are heated and leather clad. Like all VW seats, it takes some fiddling to customize the fit, but the efforts are rewarded with comfort and support. The standard 10-speaker audio system has a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, is MP3 compatible, and produces good sound.

Interior

The GTI's cabin ergonomics are first rate; the shifter falls easily to hand and the front seats have enough travel to suit six-foot-plus drivers. Controls and switchgear are also within easy reach. Paddle shifters for automatic-equipped models peer over the edges of the steering wheel spokes. Inside stuff-stashing spots include wide door pockets with built-in bottle holders, and a small center console. The lid for the console doubles as a sliding armrest for your inside elbow. If you opt for the DVD-based navigation system ($1,800), you will get a screen that gives you a clear view, and controls that are uncomplicated. The 2-door 2-step gains passengers access to the rear seats, and they're big enough to hold a pair of adults in reasonable comfort. The GTI offers 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space in back and more if you need it, by folding either of the splitting rear seats.