Brian
12-14-2005, 12:25 AM
VW Golf GTI: Test Drive
<p><img src="http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/021_002.jpg" alt="VW Golf GTI" title="VW Golf GTI" width="400"/><br />GermanCarBlog is reporting that “VWvortex” has their hands on a new VW GTI for a road test.<br />
<blockquote>South of France near the city of St. Paul de Vence - Somewhere during a heart-stopping, GTI-pounding romp through roads most people could only dream of, it struck me. We often talk about what makes a European car “feel” different than a vehicle made in Asia or America, particularly in this increasingly homogenized car market where global engineering teams are finding new ways to clone nearly everything. True automotive inspiration isn’t found in a sterile lab but out on the road, and Europe arguably has some of the best in the world. Almost nowhere else do roads have the variation, challenge, length and majesty of scenery found in Europe. That is the secret ingredient - cars developed for people that drive these types of roads every day. Roads that require a vehicle to not only glide down the highway but also handle well, transition well, inspire confidence and most important, are fun to drive. The type of roads that most Europeans drive every day not only inspire but dictate this distinctly European character trait that is often lost on other vehicles.</p>
<p>So it seems only fitting that Volkswagen decided up front to squash any idea that the American-bound GTI is significantly watered down offering us a first drive of the North American-spec cars on some of Europe’s most famous driving roads, including sections found in the FIA World Rally Championship Monte Carlo Rally route. So how is it you ask? After flogging a U.S. spec GTI for a whole day over these types of roads I’m happy to report that it left me with a huge grin on my face. In fact I went back out a second time to drive the first part of the drive route nearly running out of fuel in the process, returning the car with brakes smoking and my mind thoroughly baked from the experience. If there were such a thing as a Vehicular Therapeutic Spa for car enthusiasts this is it.</p></blockquote>
Read At Automotive Arena (http://www.automotivearena.com/2005/12/13/vw-golf-gti-test-drive/)
<p><img src="http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/021_002.jpg" alt="VW Golf GTI" title="VW Golf GTI" width="400"/><br />GermanCarBlog is reporting that “VWvortex” has their hands on a new VW GTI for a road test.<br />
<blockquote>South of France near the city of St. Paul de Vence - Somewhere during a heart-stopping, GTI-pounding romp through roads most people could only dream of, it struck me. We often talk about what makes a European car “feel” different than a vehicle made in Asia or America, particularly in this increasingly homogenized car market where global engineering teams are finding new ways to clone nearly everything. True automotive inspiration isn’t found in a sterile lab but out on the road, and Europe arguably has some of the best in the world. Almost nowhere else do roads have the variation, challenge, length and majesty of scenery found in Europe. That is the secret ingredient - cars developed for people that drive these types of roads every day. Roads that require a vehicle to not only glide down the highway but also handle well, transition well, inspire confidence and most important, are fun to drive. The type of roads that most Europeans drive every day not only inspire but dictate this distinctly European character trait that is often lost on other vehicles.</p>
<p>So it seems only fitting that Volkswagen decided up front to squash any idea that the American-bound GTI is significantly watered down offering us a first drive of the North American-spec cars on some of Europe’s most famous driving roads, including sections found in the FIA World Rally Championship Monte Carlo Rally route. So how is it you ask? After flogging a U.S. spec GTI for a whole day over these types of roads I’m happy to report that it left me with a huge grin on my face. In fact I went back out a second time to drive the first part of the drive route nearly running out of fuel in the process, returning the car with brakes smoking and my mind thoroughly baked from the experience. If there were such a thing as a Vehicular Therapeutic Spa for car enthusiasts this is it.</p></blockquote>
Read At Automotive Arena (http://www.automotivearena.com/2005/12/13/vw-golf-gti-test-drive/)