Golf 7 GTi To Be Another VW Success in Namibia

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is somewhat of a cult hero in Namibia, garnering big fanfare with street racers and the likes.

While the rest of the world hated the 3 and 4, Namibians have embraced them and bought them in spades. This is evident by the sheer number of 4’s on our roads today. The 5 and 6 generation versions were also hugely popular and there’s no doubt that the GTI 7 is going to clean up the hot hatch market.

The G7 sees very little deviation from previous models, with just reshaped alloys, new lights and a few tweaks to the bumper. The extended rear roof spoiler seats an extra couple of crows. VW assures us that every panel on the G7 is brand new, still, the design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

The interior is typical VW – classy, luxurious, if a bit bare. Piling on the extras pushes the price into the stratosphere, but it’s obvious where your money is going. The materials have a premium feel to them and the fit and finish is superb. Driving position is spot on while head and leg room for passengers is merely okay. Wind noise is well controlled too. The patterned cloth seat gimmick is no longer “fresh” and I wish VW would rethink this design, but otherwise the interior is fantastic.

There has been much talk about changes under the hood, though. The new Golf sits atop the VW group’s much talked about MQB chassis, which reinvents the way the group's cars are designed and built. Then there’s a new variable-ratio steering system, a heavily upgraded engine, and a raft of extra abilities contained within a new ‘Performance Pack’.

The G7 once again makes use of a 2.0l turbocharged motor rated at 217bhp at 6200 redline. Reinforced crankshaft bearings, modified direct fuel-injection, reduced friction, improved efficiency and an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head all add to give the G7 an extra helping of power while aiding in its frugalness. There’s also a massive increase in torque – 52lbs more. At the same time, fuel consumption is claimed to be 14% better, the top speed has squeaked up from 147mph to 153, and the 0 to 62mph sprint now takes 6.5sec – 0.4 less than before. As expected, VW’s brilliant DSG flappy paddle gearbox is available once more.

Quick, precise and always a pleasure to use, no VW should be bought without one. The end result is a blistering drive. Not as crazy as the MPS or OPC, but for a quick bout around town, the punchy motor is a bundle of fun.

The G7 GTI also comes with an optional DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) which lets you choose from five different driving modes – Comfort, Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual. Hit the symbol on the touch-screen and you instantly tune dampers, steering, engine, transmission, adaptive cruise control, dynamic cornering lights and air conditioning. Standard equipment includes the so-called ‘Progressive Steering’ which works either in Normal or in Sport mode. This constant-effort, variable-rate device requires only two turns from lock to lock. While the ratio around the straight-ahead position is very similar to that of a run-of-the-mill Golf, the steering will speed up as you turn in thanks to a progressive gearing between rack and pinion.

This system yields two effects: reduced effort at parking speeds and quicker action on winding roads. It takes some getting used to, but it’s not as artificial and lifeless as other electro-hydraulic systems. The GTI communicates on all levels: steering, throttle, transmission, suspension, brakes… Thankfully, the GTI 7 is less clinical than previous incarnations; overstep it, and the GTI responds with attitude and drama. The GTI will easily indulge in a wheel drift or a three-wheeled corner, just like the original. Like a Jack Russell puppy, it just wants to play; energetic and a handful, but enjoyable on all counts.

The GTI 7 might appear to be a reshaped G6, hell, even a G5. The body work is just too similar to older models, but underneath that lazy design lays a fantastic chassis that allows drivers to get a little cocky when they like. The great thing about the GTI 7 is the ability to thrash it around the streets of Windhoek before pulling up for that big meeting, no one the wiser and this incarnation does that with ease. A little on the expensive side, but a piece of automotive art work if I’ve ever seen one.