When the Golf GTI was launched to the world again in 1976, two years after the usual mannequin entered manufacturing, it successfully launched the new hatch class. Sure, that first GTI had a mere 108 hp (110 PS) however the first-gen Golf was a small and light-weight automotive by at the moment’s requirements and it was pleasurable to drive.

Now in its eighth era, the Golf GTI nonetheless has a really giant, and really devoted, following, and who higher to clarify this than Jason Cammisa, the voice of Hagerty that has owned two Mk7s, gifted one to his mom, and satisfied a number of others to affix the Golf military.

And who can blame him? The GTI has by no means been pretentious. It was a automotive that seemed relatively plain and easy however possessed hidden capabilities that would put a smile on any fanatic’s face once they drove it, and that’s precisely how VW supposed it to be.

Watch: One other VW Golf Mk7 Proprietor Lists Why The New Golf Mk8 Is Flawed 

When VW’s then Chairman Ferdinand Piech launched the Mk4 in 1997, he was satisfied that the Golf was able to play within the higher courses as he boldly introduced that the fourth era of Golf would do one higher than Mercedes. Folks could have laughed, however the joke was on them. A number of years later, Mercedes would delay its W205 C-Class as a result of it couldn’t evaluate to the world’s greatest $50k automotive: the Golf. By now, it’s understood that the Mk8 has so much to stay as much as, however does it?

Beginning off with the outside design, whereas the Golf GTI Mk8 would possibly carry a few of the ‘futuristic’, spaceship type design that almost all automotive producers appear to be going for today, it presents itself fairly properly as a compact hot-hatch, an idea which will have been forgotten by another gamers available in the market. The attractive instance on this video sports activities a vibrant Kings Purple paint. However the reality is that VW targeted extra on cost-cutting than the rest, and whereas that may not be a foul factor in sure areas (sustaining the cast-iron engine into what could also be its final era), you would possibly come throughout some cheaper parts-bin specials that aren’t solely particular to the Golf.

See Additionally: Eighth Era VW Golf GTI Unveiled

After all, the brand new GTI continues to be a performer, with its 241 hp turbocharged 4 mixed with a seven-speed DSG or six-speed guide. However, in the case of the precise drive, Jason contests that the GTI may not be all that a lot the playful toy that VW claims it’s, and he would know, contemplating the truth that he had the possibility to check the automotive fairly vigorously.

The dearth of enchancment continues within the cabin of the GTI. As soon as once more, cost-cutting has led the inside of the brand new GTI to be a bit of inferior to its predecessor, although not by an excessive amount of. All of it goes south, nonetheless, when it’s time to begin taking part in with the brand new infotainment system. Regardless of the idea proving to be a catastrophe for just about each different carmaker who’s tried to go down the button-less route, VW too has determined to eradicate each single bodily button or swap contained in the GTI, and — as you’ll be able to see — it’s removed from ultimate, to say the very least.

So, did the Golf fail to retain its fundamental precept of type all the time following perform? Jason Cammisa appears to assume so. Maybe it’s a signal of a passionate Mk7 proprietor unwilling to simply accept change, however on the finish even Camissa accepts that at its very coronary heart, the Mk8 could be very a lot a GTI.