VW GTI Recieves “Automotive Execellence Award”

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that they are among the recipients of Popular Mechanics 2007 Automotive Excellence Awards. The award was giving to the 2007 Volkswagen GTI which won the “Driving Fun” category.

That the GTI is fun to drive can be attributed to its high-tech, 200 horsepower 2.0T four-cylinder engine, a new fully independent, sports-tuned suspension, a standard six-speed manual transmission, and aggressive exterior styling with a practical interior that equally mixes functionality, flair and a preoccupation with a driver-first focus and layout.

The 2007 GTI is a legendary sports sedan with a unique manual DSGTM transmission that utilizes direct shifting, which essentially automatically depresses clutch-shift points more efficiently and quicker than even a professional driver can. But the GTI today is all purity, and for those who want the unique control of a clutch, the all-new GTI comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Top speed is electronically governed at 130 miles per hour in the U.S.

Popular Mechanics chose the winners after test driving over 100 of the newest cars, trucks and SUVs, amassing more than 100,000 miles in the process.
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vcowman - 9/14/2006 11:24:43 AM

+1 Boost

If there was a double clutch system on the 3 that would be heaven.

PolePosition - 9/14/2006 12:06:44 PM

+2 Boost

GTI still represents the pinnacle of all that most drivers really need. Well won...

crackityjones - 9/14/2006 12:10:33 PM

+1 Boost

The GTI is a good entry enthusiast car (I own a Mark IV). However, it's a bit too normal and "balanced" of a car to be too much fun for true enthusiasts.

crackityjones - 9/14/2006 2:46:43 PM

+1 Boost

Not that I am one. I'm too freaking poor.

chewy - 9/14/2006 7:26:23 PM

+2 Boost

That's right. The GTI is a very good performance and overall buy for the money.

wwww - 9/14/2006 7:46:57 PM

+1 Boost

I think both of these cars are worthly of their titles from Popular Mechanics. These cars are enginnering spectacles, DSG- faster gear switching than manual.

S4cabriofox - 9/14/2006 10:43:05 PM

+1 Boost

And the A3 isn't included, why?

It's more fun to drive than the GTI because of its lack of the "egg-shape" the two-door GTI has.

NYC45 - 9/15/2006 12:33:02 AM

+1 Boost

I really like them, seen a few on the road.

Matthew1 - 9/15/2006 1:51:03 AM

+1 Boost

WHAT?

The GTI is miles better to drive than the A3.

And what does the car's profile have to do with the way it drives?

A3 better to drive than the GTI....please.

BMW530i - 9/15/2006 1:51:09 PM

0 Boost

How can that be? It's not a LEXUS!!!

*SARCASM*

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/15/2006 3:29:27 PM

+1 Boost

The A3 2.0TFsi S-Line or the 3.2 S-Line are actually Better to drive than the Golf,
They are also more Expensive, Not Better Enough to justify the Extra Cash thus the Golf Getting the Award (IMO)

Thing is, There is something about the way the A3 feels that makes you feel Guilty when you drive like a boy racer, It will deliver the performance you request from it, But with a frown (Imaginary) while in the Golf if feels like it wants you to push Harder (Again Imaginary but feels Real)

S4cabriofox - 9/16/2006 12:06:05 AM

+1 Boost

Matthew-

It's called AERODYNAMICS. You want me to spell it out for you?

Why the hell do you think it's more fun to drive? Audi wouldn't just sit there and let VW make a better car than them for less money.

I own an A3. I also own an S4. And I can confidently say that the A3 is the most fun you can have in a practical car for under $30,000. It has speed (0-60 in 6.3; over seven seconds for GTI), it has great handling, and it has an utterly fantastic gearbox. An A3 2.0T with DSG can out-drag a midsized luxury sedan with ease.

Matthew1 - 9/16/2006 2:23:41 AM

+1 Boost

No, the Golf GTI is better to drive than an A3.

The regular Golf no, but the GTI is a better drivers car than the A3, regardless of engine.