There was nothing particularly wrong with the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI, though many felt it had strayed too far from the once-magical GTI sweet spot. Enter the Golf GTI 8.5.

Massaged to offer not only more accessible performance but also sharper handling and a sweeter combination of agility and ride quality, the GTI 8.5 proves that Volkswagen has accepted the criticism and responded with humility. In particular with the panned multimedia and capacitive-switch interfaces, which have been ditched in favour of simpler, clearer controls and physical steering-wheel switches. If you thought the Mk7.5 Golf was the GTI at its zenith, perhaps the 8.5 may change your mind.

Driven on its home turf in Germany, Chasing Cars' Dan Gardner enthusiastically claims the GTI 8.5 will be worth the wait when it arrives in Australia a year from now - hopefully in the exact spec tested here.


Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Interior changes
1:50 - Engine
2:23 - Suspension revisions
2:42 - Performance and handling
4:23 - Dynamic personality
5:52 - Australian launch/price
6:23 - Specification
7:28 - GTI versus R
7:58 - Wet-road performance
8:25 - Verdict


As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct.

Subscribe now! [ Ссылка ]

Chasing Cars on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Follow Chasing Cars on Instagram: [ Ссылка ]

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

свернуть