VW's GTI Takes On The Track But Is It Still The Number One Hot Hatch?

If you’re a car enthusiast and you’ve never attended an Autocross event, you’re missing out. If you’re not familiar, autocross is a low-speed solo motorsport event where you can literally bring almost any vehicle and compete. It’s the most inexpensive way to get into motorsports (generally $20-$35 for a day,) and focuses on car control and handling more than power and speed. At a given event you’ll find lots of little roadsters (Honda S2000, Mazda Miata) as well as high-powered musclecars, family sedans, fully-built race cars, and everything in between. The track is usually in a big parking lot or airstrip, and is marked off by road cones.

Last week VW dropped off the new 2010 GTI for us to review, and there just happened to be an SCCA autocross going on. Given the GTI’s quick, nimble, pocket-rocket status, how could I refuse? Seeing as how it’s only my second autocross, I registered as Novice, pitting myself up against cars like the Nissan 350Z, new Camaro, and Subaru Impreza.


 

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LexSucks - 6/10/2010 12:37:15 PM

+1 Boost

Type on Title :)

LexSucks - 6/10/2010 12:37:43 PM

+1 Boost

haha, That's what I get. I meant Typo.

Agent009 - 6/10/2010 1:16:31 PM

0 Boost

Fixed, thx!

SteedPub - 6/10/2010 2:55:47 PM

+1 Boost

It has always been the best all around refined hot hatch. Has it always been the fastest carver? No. But if you want a solid fun to drive car that doesn't feel like a cheap tin can, the GTI is your car.

t_bone - 6/10/2010 10:39:20 PM

0 Boost

I test drove one a couple weekends ago and was pretty blown away. The interior quality is fantastic, and the drive does not disappoint. I like it so much better than the MINI Cooper S, which I used to own. For the first time I can say this about a VW: I want one.

Definitely check it out at dealer, it is worth your time!