The "Two Birds, One Stone" Concept of the GTI Was Refreshing

It has been exactly 42 years since the Golf GTI model was added to Volkswagen's Golf and released in Germany in June 1976.

GTI is the model name for the sporty version of the Golf, and it has had a significant impact on cars worldwide thereafter.

Before this, there were no cars that combined the practicality of a compact, two-box car like the Golf with a powerful engine, tightened suspension, and a stylish interior and exterior for exhilarating driving. To satisfy the desire for performance, only sports cars and GT cars existed.

It could be used for daily commuting and also enjoyed for driving on winding mountain roads or circuits on weekends. This "two birds, one stone" concept of the GTI was truly novel. It inspired many followers.



The Golf GTI itself has undergone several model changes and is now in its seventh generation. The body has become so large that it can no longer be called compact, and its performance has significantly improved.

Added to this lineup is the "Polo GTI." The GTI model was added to the Polo, the Golf's smaller sibling, in August 1998. Nineteen years have passed since then, with three model changes. The fourth-generation Polo GTI was announced in May 2017.

Furthermore, in 2018, the "Up! GTI" was introduced for the Up!, the Polo's even smaller sibling. The GTI lineup now forms a trio of siblings.

We test drove these three GTI siblings on public roads and the Ascari Circuit near Malaga, Spain.

The Polo GTI Doesn't Break a Sweat Even When Driven at the Same Pace as the Golf GTI

First, the Polo GTI. The recently redesigned Polo was already exceptionally well-executed, so expectations for its GTI version were very high.

Upon confirming the characteristic GTI badge and red stripe on the front grille and getting inside, I was surprised by the bright red dashboard, door panels, and center console.

These featured a matte finish, unlike anything seen before, resembling the body of a smartphone or laptop, creating a cool and modern atmosphere.



The Polo GTI is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine producing a maximum output of 200 ps. In contrast, the standard Polo's engine is a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbo with a maximum output of 95 ps, meaning the GTI version generates nearly double the power from an engine with double the displacement.

Consequently, it is incredibly fast. But it's not just about speed; the ample acceleration even without revving the engine high creates a sense of ease in driving and enhances the feeling of luxury.

In terms of specifications, the Polo GTI is close to the previous generation Golf GTI, and in some aspects, comparable to the sixth generation. My impression after driving on both public roads and the circuit was that its comfort, such as quietness and ride quality as a sports model, rivals the previous Golf.

Particularly impressive on the circuit was the XDS. XDS is an electronic locking differential that momentarily applies the brakes to the inner wheel during cornering, eliminating the understeer characteristic of powerful front-wheel-drive cars in medium to high-speed corners.



At Volkswagen, XDS has been standard equipment since the previous Golf GTI (now "XDS Plus" in the current Golf), and it has also been equipped in the Polo GTI since the previous generation. In the new Polo GTI, its operation is smooth, achieving neutral cornering. Its level of refinement even surpasses that of the previous Golf GTI.

It drove comfortably on public roads and did not falter even when driven at the same pace as the Golf GTI on the circuit.

In contrast, the Golf GTI offers a "driving experience full of余裕 (yoyu -余裕)" in a word. It boasts 230 ps, a larger body size, and the XDS equipped in the Polo GTI has evolved into XDS Plus.

Even in the high-speed corners of the Ascari Circuit, with its series of varied turns, it was possible to complete laps while maintaining a stable posture, without suffering from the understeer typical of powerful front-wheel-drive cars in medium to high-speed ranges.

The Up! GTI: Feeling the GTI Bloodline

While the "Up! GTI" might be left behind by the Polo GTI and Golf GTI on the circuit, it overflows with the joy of driving by fully utilizing the engine power of a small, lightweight car.

The Up! GTI's maximum engine output is 115 ps, just 5 ps more than the first-generation Golf GTI's 110 ps.

I also had the opportunity to drive previous generations of the Golf GTI briefly. Although there is a 42-year gap between the Up! GTI and the Golf GTI, even setting aside the remarkable evolution, I could feel the GTI bloodline.

The solid body construction, taut suspension, precise steering, and powerful engine have been consistently maintained across different eras and models.



Furthermore, I was able to experience how the Golf GTI has evolved gradually since its second generation to the current model, without losing its "GTI character." Recent models, in particular, show significant advancements in areas like driver assistance and connectivity.

Regarding electrification, another major challenge facing modern cars, the plug-in hybrid version, the "Golf GTE," already exists. The question now is how each GTI model will incorporate electrification in the future. I pondered this while driving on the mountain roads near Malaga. The Japanese specifications for the Polo GTI and Up! GTI hold great promise.