2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI: Review

Volkswagen is known to be one of the most stylist carmakers in the world. The first Golf GTi was launched by VW in 1976.

First revealed in the near-production-ready concept form in 2012 Paris Motor Show, the 2013 Golf GTI has already been voted in UK as one of the most anticipated cars for 2013. It is set to launch with both “Standard” and “Performance”-tuned versions in UK. So, what’s so special about this car that makes it stand apart from the rest of the lot? Read on…

Exterior features:

The Hatchback design and Keyless-access with push-button start is always there in GTI. But, the speciality in this version are the Logo-Integrated hatch handles, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights with AFS turn upto 15 degrees.

2013 GTI Exteriors

What’s more? You get 18” Detroit alloy wheels which not only give your car a great look, but are also strong, light, and wrapped in high-performance rubber.

Interior features:

While a multifunction steering wheel is very common in most of the cars these days, the Interlagos-plaid comes standard only on the GTI. Available are top sport seats on the GTI feature leather seating surfaces, extra bolstering to hold you in place, and an embossed GTI logo in the headrest. Add to this, the heated front seats with 3 different settings.

2013 GTI Interiors

And, as Volkswagen puts it, you may not be a sports car driver, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have race-inspired sport pedals.

Performance:

The 2013 VW GTI has a turbocharged engine with 200hp and 207 lb-ft of torque on its standard model. The electromechanical power steering is a more responsive, fuel efficient, and eco-conscious steering method than the conventional steering.

The XDS (Cross Differential System) helps anticipate inside wheel spin, and actively directs power to the outside wheel, thus giving you more control at the turns.

Safety:

2013 VW Golf GTI. Photo Courtesy- Motorward

Integrated into the front structure are impact-absorbing elements, which compress during a collision, so that an impact on the car does not impact you. Add to that, 6 airbags with Side Curtain protection. The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) helps prevent oversteer or understeer during an evasive maneuver by applying corrective forces to each of its wheels. Need more? You get the great ICRS (Intelligent Crash Response System) which unlocks the doors, turns off power to the fuel pump, ad turns on the hazard lights automatically, in the event of a collision or crash.

Technology:

The technology on any VW is unparalleled in the industry, when it comes to production cars. The 2013 Golf GTI has the 300W Dynaudio Premium Sound System with 8 premium speakers and DSP (Digital Sound Processor) technology.

Touchscreen Panel in 2013 Golf GTI

It has a Premium VIII touchscreen sound system with Bluetooth. So, once your device is synched, you can make phone calls and stream your music without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

Enough said about the features, now let’s get down to some serious specs. Here are some specs of all the trims available for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI, as seen on the company website:

2-Door Standard version-

2-Door Standard Version. 2013 Golf GTI. Photo Courtesy- vw.com

• 2.0L, 200 hp, TSI® turbocharged engine
• 18″ Detroit alloy wheels
• 6 airbags
• Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
• Sound system with MP3- and WMA-compatible, in-dash CD player and AM/FM radio
• 3 year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first). No-Charge Scheduled Carefree Maintenance™ Program.
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription
• Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable
• Bluetooth® with audio streaming
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

2-Door with Sunroof & Conv-

Includes 2-Door features, plus:

• 18″ Laguna alloy wheels
• Power tilting/sliding tinted sunroof
• Leather-wrapped, multi-function sport steering wheel
• Touchscreen Premium VIII sound system

 2-Door with Sunroof & Nav-

• Includes 2-Door with Convenience and Sunroof features, plus:
• RNS 315 touchscreen navigation system
• Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL) and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)

2-Door Autobahn-

Includes 2-Door with Sunroof and Navigation features, plus:

• 18″ Serron alloy wheels
• Leather seating surfaces
• Dynaudio® premium sound system
• Keyless access with push-button start

 

4-Door Standard version-

4-Door Standard version. 2013 Golf GTI. Photo Courtesy- VW.com

• 2.0L, 200 hp, TSI® turbocharged engine
• 18″ Detroit alloy wheels
• 6 airbags
• Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
• Sound system with MP3- and WMA-compatible, in-dash CD player and AM/FM radio
• 3 year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first). No-Charge Scheduled Carefree Maintenance™ Program.
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 3-month trial subscription
• Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable
• Bluetooth® with audio streaming
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

4-Door with Sunroof and Conv-

 Includes 4-Door features, plus:

• 18″ Laguna alloy wheels
• Power tilting/sliding tinted sunroof
• Leather-wrapped, multi-function sport steering wheel
• Carpeted floor mats with red stitching
• Golf-ball shift knob
• Premium VIII touchscreen sound system with HD Radio™

4-Door with Sunroof and Nav-

Includes 4-Door with Convenience and Sunroof features, plus:

• RNS 315 touchscreen navigation system
• Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL) and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS)

4-Door Autobahn-

2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI – 4-Door Autobahn

Includes 4-Door with Sunroof and Navigation features, plus

• 18″ Serron alloy wheels
• Leather seating surfaces
• Dynaudio® premium sound system
• Keyless access with push-button start

Which one would you choose?