The Volkswagen GTI does a lot with a three-letter acronym. It's VW's "GT," or "GTO," or even its "AMG"--to scale, that is.
Those characters have a meaning beyond the Golf nameplate--and that meaning is better handling, and these days, gobs more power than unusual.
With such a dowdy shape but such a winning mix of power and handling, the GTI poses an interesting question. Should you make a pass at the zingy Honda Civic Si or the MazdaSpeed3, or set your sights higher with a rear-drive MINI Cooper? With its boxy demeanor, high-quality cabin and punchy performance, the GTI can compete on either of those fronts, in every way except for style. Its turbo four has wads of torque down low, where the Civic struggles to get on boil. The same's true with the MazdaSpeed3, which nearly nails the GTI's magic blend of perky power and nifty handling, but is forced to wear a silly happy face 24/7. The Mazda also doesn't have the rock-solid feel of the VW. Continue reading here.
Source: thecarconnection.com
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