The Driver - Fall 2014 | Page 16

first drive 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI: The hot hatch is back by David Miller San Francisco, CA—The Volkswagen Golf has long been considered a car enthusiast favourite and a symbol for the loveable hot hatch. It was surprising that the Golf didn’t make its way to Canada for its last model year, but they held it back to make a bigger splash once the all-new seventh-generation 2015 Volkswagen Golf was ready. Sometimes, waiting might be worth it and that’s the case for the 2015 model. It’s the most powerful and technologically advanced Golf line ever, but that’s not saying much, as everything new should be better. So let me take you back to the launch event and breakdown what’s new for 2015. The event took place in the picturesque city of San Francisco. Both the regular Golf and sportier version GTI were on hand to take for a spin, 16 THE DRIVER but for this review we will take a closer look at the Golf GTI variant. Why? Because, who doesn’t love the GTI? Volkswagen’s new Golf is built for the first time off its new MQB platform that uses high-strength steel. This goes along way in making the new Golf lighter, more powerful and most importantly for the German-brand—more fuel efficient. That MQB platform will be the same one featured on numerous upcoming Volkswagen vehicles, as well as some from its sister company, Audi.