Volkswagen Golf GTI Landed In Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has launched the 7th generation of Volkswagen Golf GTI last week, and this time around both the 3 door and 5 door versions are made available. The car is the continuation of the legendary hot hatchback which sets the benchmark on how the hot hatchback should performed. The new GTI is priced from RM211,060 for the 3 door while the 5 door is priced at RM219,060. Both are OTR without insurance, and in case of the 5 door version you can opt for 19' Santiago wheels upgrade for RM3,000 and Tech-Pack (Adaptive Chassis Control, Electric Driver Seat (!) & Vienna leather seats) for RM10,000.

As per MMN earlier coverage (read HERE), the exterior of the Mk7 Golf GTI is subtly different from the cooking TSI version, although it does give a visual tension of dynamism despite the subdued exterior makeover. The front of the car gains the customary red insert inside the upper grille, which extends into the headlamp internal. The front bumper air intake has been enlarged, and flanks by the straked fog lamp housing.  Side profile is garnished by the fender motif which enhanced the aggressiveness together with 18' Austin alloy wheel (3 door make do with 17' item, although both are wrapped by 225-mm tyre section). Rear changes are limited to spoiler and double exhaust outlet.

The interior is where the action will be. The sense of occasion is heightened by dark trim, accented by Tartan seat upholstery, leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching while similar treatment can be found on the gear knob too. The dashboard and the door trim (surprise, surprise which is not unlike Proton Preve/Suprima S, only the front door trim upper section is soft padded while the rear door is moulded of hard plastic) are adorns with the textured black deco. Driving position is occasion-like, likewise the relative positioning of the control item and dashboard ergonomics are all showing the depth of experience of the company designing it.

Underneath the hood lies the 220PS 2.0L mill packing the BlueMotion technology including the direct injection system and the turbocharger. The headline power figure is reached from 4,500rpm and sustained until 6,200rpm, whereas the fat torque curve spread from 1,500-4,400rpm where all 350Nm of it is available continuously. Drive is channelled via 6 speed DSG transmission. Performance is scorching, with 6.5s century sprint and 244 km/h of top speed.

The comprehensive equipment level however is not mirror by the 3 door version which unfortunately lose the Bi-Xenon headlight (get halogen instead and no LED fog lamp), only 17' Brooklyn alloy wheel, elimination of auto wiper, auto dimming, electric foldable mirror, USB and Bluetooh player while the aircond unit is of  manual type, smaller 5' infotainment system (down from 5.8') and there's no cruise control either. So there's quite a big chunk of equipment lost for the RM8,000 you save. The choice is yours. The gallery of the interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI can be found after the jump to whip up your wet dream.

The cocpit - flat bottom steering wheel which super-tactile steering mounted button.

Volswagen vast experience in designing car is obvious here. Simply perfect and tasteful.

Meter binnacle is clearly laid, other amenities are soundly design. Glovebox is lined.

Practicality is not forgotten, you get 380L

The door trim front and rear - nicely trimmed with tasteful chrome application. Only the upper front door trim is soft moulded, rear is hard-touch, Note the door bins are lined.