Volkswagen Golf 5 GTI – everything you need to know
First Volkswagen Golf GTI
The original VW Golf GTI recipe is pretty simple: keep it simple, but do combine accessible performance with attractive looks. The first-generation 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI did that like no other. Iconic are the checkered trim, the shift knob in golf ball design and, of course, the red lines in the grille. The recipe of the first Golf GTI tasted like more, and so many more generations appeared, including a Volkswagen Golf 5 GTI.
Golf 5 GTI made up for a lot
Still, Volkswagen seemed to have lost its way a bit with the Golf 3 GTI and Golf 4 GTI. The power of these generations was not convincing, nor was the decoration very special. Fortunately, Volkswagen recovered with the fifth generation that hit the market in 2005. The exterior differences from the normal Golf were much greater, and the five-door hot hatchback also received a seriously more powerful powerplant resulting in a very attractive overall package.
Features VW Golf 5 GTI
Unique features of the Golf 5 GTI include the black honeycomb grille with red surround, tough five-spoke wheels, red brake calipers, checkered trim, the famous shift knob in the shape of a golf ball, a flattened sports steering wheel with GTI designation, two exhausts and a roof spoiler. Compared to a normal Golf, the suspension of the GTI trim is lowered by 15 mm.
Engineering of the fifth-generation Golf GTI
The fifth-generation Golf GTI features four-cylinder T-FSI turbocharged engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters and an output of 147 kW, or 200 hp, available from 5,100 rpm. Compared to the Golf GTI, the fifth version is about 15 kW stronger. Torque from the turbocharged gasoline engine comes out to 280 Nm, available between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. The 0 to 100 sprint takes just 7.2 seconds on the Golf 5 GTI with a six-speed manual transmission, and the top speed comes out to a thick 235 km/h. If you choose the variant with DSG automatic dual-clutch transmission, the 0-100 sprint takes just 6.9 seconds.
Fuel consumption and engine oil
The on-paper average fuel consumption comes out to 8.0 liters per 100 kilometers. The variant with DSG automatic transmission is slightly more economical at 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers. The Golf 5 GTI’s tachometer goes up to 8,000 rpm, although the rev limit is already a bit lower. That 8 just looks sporty, as does the speedometer that goes up to 300 mph. The engine oil of the FSI engine with turbo technology only needs to be changed every 30,000 kilometers or after two years.
Colors VW Golf 5 GTI
The fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI comes in ten exterior colors, namely Tornado Red, Black, Diamond Black Pearl, Candy White, Coastal Blue Pearl, Reflex Silver Metallic, Ink Blue, Steel Grey Metallic, Shadow Blue Metallic and Laser Blue Pearl. Volkswagen provided two wheel designs, namely 17-inch Denver wheels with 225/45 tires and larger 18-inch Detroit wheels.
Dimensions VW Golf 5 GTI
The fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf is a relatively compact car. The length of the five-door hatchback is 4,216 mm and the height comes out to 1,466 mm. The car is 1,759 mm wide. This makes the width equal to that of a Golf 5 Trendline, Comfortline or Sportline, but the length has increased slightly and the height has decreased slightly.
Strong brakes and smart ESP system
Of course, the brakes are matched to the performance level of the Volkswagen Golf 5 GTI. The red calipers bite into ventilated brake discs measuring 312 millimeters in front and 286 millimeters in the rear. The ESP system is set up specifically for the GTI. It will not intervene too early and intensely or too late and vaguely. In addition, ESP is completely disengageable.
Golf GTI Edition 30
In honor of the Golf GTI’s 30th anniversary in 2006, Volkswagen released the limited edition Golf GTI Edition 30. That one had 230 hp and maximum torque of 300 Nm. The suspension was also lowered a bit further. Combined with DSG automatic transmission, the 0-100 sprint of this extra sporty Golf GTI took only 6 seconds. Features of the Edition 30 include dark taillights, black alloy wheels, several Edition 30 logos and red stitching trim in the interior.
Retrieved 2009
Finally, in 2009, the VW Golf 5 GTI was succeeded by the Golf 6 GTI with standard 210 hp and standard electronic limited slip differential. This version built on the success of the fifth generation with a strong focus on usable performance, sporty looks and rich equipment. Volkswagen has been applying that recipe in every generation Golf GTI since then, including the eighth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI.