Sales of the sports hatchback exceeded expectations and justified the arrival of more cars, but the requirements to have one were maintained
Volkswagen has started deliveries of the eighth-generation Golf GTI for those who bought the first batch of 350 units. But those who were left out will have one more chance, the brand confirmed a second batch of the sports car.
The print run has not been revealed, but it will continue for the value of R$ 430 thousand and has as its only option the leather seats with electric adjustment, which adds another R$ 15 thousand. The buyer still needs to meet some requirements to get in line, such as having already owned a Volkswagen or Audi, having a sports model helps with this.
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Volkswagen had to recalibrate the Golf GTI to meet Brazilian consumption and emissions standards. With this, power was reduced from 265 hp to 245 hp, but the torque of 37,7 kgfm was maintained.
The 2.0 TSI engine is a more current generation of the EA888 that was used in the last national GTI and similar to the Jetta GLI. The seven-speed DSG gearbox is also more current and has oil-bathed clutches.
The new generation has a stiffer body and has received improvements in the suspension to make the hatch sharper. The “Brazil package” also includes a 15 mm higher ride height, to prevent the front from scraping in ditches and speed bumps.
We drove the Golf GTI at the Velo Città racetrack to find out if it’s worth spending so much money for the sporty hatch. It currently faces competition from the Honda Civic Type R, which offers a different formula and costs R$ 430.500. Toyota brought the GR Yaris for a lower price, but it has already sold out.
At the event we also had the opportunity to try the Jetta GLI and the new Tiguan. Going from one car to the next, it is possible to see the appeal of the Golf GTI.
On paper it makes it seem that the Jetta is the most sensible option, as the difference in power is small, it is more practical and there is an abyss of R$ 151.510 in prices. But behind the wheel it is possible to notice how much sharper the Golf GTI is.
The hatch’s suspension is firmer and it points better to curves. Because it is shorter, it is also more agile and you feel less the rear wanting to let go in sudden changes of direction, something that is noticed in the Jetta GLI.
The Golf GTI also dresses the driver better, with more generous side support of the seats and lower driving position. On the track, this gives more confidence to attack the corners.
Volkswagen uses an electronic differential lock in its sports cars, which uses the brake on the inside wheel to send the force to the outside wheel and help rotate the car into curves. That means it points more if you make the turn by accelerating. But you can’t abuse it, as it is still a front-wheel drive car.
On the track, the Volkswagen Golf GTI proved to be the best of the sports cars that the German brand offers in Brazil. But still, the price difference between it and the Jetta GLI is high.
It is justified, in part, by the hatch coming from Germany paying 35% import taxes, while the sedan arrives from Mexico with exemption from this tax. Volkswagen has also created an aura of exclusivity with the Golf GTI by limiting its sale to loyal customers.
The rapid exhaustion of the first batch shows that there are enough fans to justify importing. However, those who like sports cars have other options to consider.
For a very close value we have the Honda Civic Type R, which is imported regularly and does not require prerequisites for purchase. It has sold 287 units in Brazil since its launch in 2023.
The Civic Type R’s proposal is more extreme than that of the Golf GTI, its setup is more track-oriented and the engine is more powerful. The manual transmission may limit daily use in traffic
It is an excellent second car, for you to use on your days off and even take to a track day. The formula of the Volkswagen Golf GTI created in 1976 is to combine the practicality of a hatch with a high dose of fun. For those looking for a car that does it all, German is the answer.
