It Could Be Time to Shed a Tear
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 S is a one-year particular version mannequin obtainable solely to North America. The Golf, now in its eighth technology, debuted in 1983, changing the Rabbit. It’s a driving purist’s automotive with an ideal popularity amongst fanatics.
What makes it a ‘particular version’ is Volkswagen has introduced the third pedal will change into a reminiscence with the tip of manufacturing of the 2024 Golf GTI 380 S. The Golf will proceed to be constructed previous 2024, however all future fashions can have the semi-automatic transmission. We aren’t promoting the quick-shifting computerized quick, however let’s get actual right here—it isn’t a handbook.
Let’s minimize proper to it as a result of if the 6-speed handbook is the first purpose you’re contemplating shopping for it, then don’t sit in your palms for much longer!
Strap in. Really feel the engine rumble. Interact the clutch. Attempt to cease smiling.
The 2024 Golf GTI 380 S hatchback must be pushed; nay, needs to be pushed. Which is precisely what we did for one fun-filled week, tackling Southern California freeways and mountain roads. Hey, Volkswagen, please rethink and don’t take this one away!
Turbocharged Enthusiasm
The Golf GTI 380 S, has an intercooled turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 16-valve 4-cylinder engine placing out 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The entrance wheels are pushed by way of a easy, slick-shifting 6-speed handbook that has a really forgiving clutch. In case you are in search of extra umph and traction, the 2024 Mk8 Golf R with 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque comes customary with 4Motion all-wheel drive.
Most torque for the GTI 380 S is at 1,750 rpm, however that doesn’t start to inform the efficiency story. The torque band is extensive as you undergo the gears, with 2nd by way of 4th the place the acceleration enjoyable and responsiveness lies. Our 0-60 instances have been a good 5.1 seconds, however straight line pace won’t be the pacing merchandise for proudly owning a Golf GTI 380 S or what makes it a lot enjoyable.
Launching in first is simply the gateway to the 2-3-4 gear sequence wringing out efficiency that’s great between 3,500 and 6,000 rpm. Go discover sweeping corners or tight twisties to check this gear sequence and torque. Be aware: Pay no consideration to the upshift/downshift read-out on the sprint gauge, because it needs you to shift in order to take the enjoyable out of driving in excessive revs.
The clutch is easy and forgiving; the transmission has quick throws. Volkswagen engineers have made it attainable from a standing begin, at gradual speeds and on flat roads, to softly launch the clutch with out urgent on the accelerator pedal. This helps with easy launches making dumping the clutch and stalling the engine laborious to do. The forgiving clutch at low speeds additionally is useful when caught in stop-and-go rush hour visitors, as the less instances needing to depress the left pedal, the much less stress and fatigue in your leg.
Gasoline financial system estimates by the EPA are 23 metropolis/34 freeway/27 mixed miles per gallon. Due to driving aggressively a lot of the time, over 231 miles we averaged 25 mpg. However in a single 110-mile freeway run and one other of 85 miles at 65 mph, we averaged 33.7 mpg. Gasoline financial system numbers reported by Clear Fleet Report are non-scientific and symbolize the reviewer’s driving expertise. Your numbers could differ.
Driving Expertise: Keep Away from a Straight Line
The three,137-pound Golf GTI has a light-weight and agile really feel with a surefooted driving expertise, that begins with the Bridgestone Potenza S005 235/43R summer season efficiency sport tires mounted on 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. This scorching hatch sticks to the bottom!
The well-weighted progressive variable-ratio electric-power help steering offered correct turning, with the leather-wrapped steering wheel having an excellent, stable really feel. The driving modes of Consolation and Sport have totally different steering weight and throttle response, whereas Customized permits the driving force to set these to their liking.
The four-wheel unbiased multi-link sport suspension, with digital stability management, has entrance struts and coil springs with coil springs, telescopic dampers and an anti-roll bar on the rear delivering a easy, stable experience. The torque-sensing restricted slip differential with an digital differential lock aided in offering for precision dealing with.
Get your hands on esses with left-right sweepers that can show the convenience and circulation of the dealing with. There is no such thing as a herky-jerky correcting of the steering wheel, or as Volkswagen calls it, “steering corruption,” solely easy transitions to simply discover the apex. There was good lateral stability within the chassis partly as a result of the stamped metal physique makes use of high-strength, hot-formed metal. The tight turning radius of 38.1 toes made most three-point turns pointless.
The stops have been straight and true with the Golf’s customary four-wheel anti-lock braking system, energy assisted entrance vented and rear stable discs, with digital brake stress distribution and digital stability management. The pink calipers poking out from the multi-spoke gloss black aluminum-alloy wheels appeared sharp.
How you can summarize the dealing with of the Golf GTI? It’s a sport hatchback with a balanced suspension for dealing with and experience consolation that may solely be topped for dealing with and efficiency within the Volkswagen line-up by its sibling, the Golf R that has all-wheel drive, extra horsepower and torque, however comes at a better worth.
Sport Inside
The 2024 Golf GTI is available in three trims—S, SE and Autobahn. Clear Fleet Report drove the Golf GTI 380 S, the one-year particular version the place practicality and efficiency meet.
The heated sport entrance seats have handbook changes, however energy recline. Lined in a black sturdy fabric, the Titan Black and plaid design had pink stitching and accents, with pink embossed “GTI” on the built-in headrests. The seats have been snug, supportive and grippy, particularly when cornering. There’s a formidable quantity of seat journey that can accommodate tall drivers. With out a sunroof, there’s loads of head room. The shoulder belts have been peak adjustable so that they don’t minimize throughout your neck.
The rear seats two adults, three in a pinch, the place they get USB ports and adjustable local weather vents. Leg, head and shoulder room was good, and the fold down middle console has cup holders and opens for lengthy merchandise pass-through. The utility of a hatchback comes into play with 19.9 cubic toes of cargo storage with the rear seats upright that grows to a helpful 34.5 cubic toes with the 60:40 break up rear seat laid flat. There’s a nifty system to carry up the rear cargo deck cowl that reveals the 125/70/70 short-term use tire.
The three chrome steel pedal covers, plus the useless pedal, and the carpeted entrance and rear flooring mats have been good touches.
Digital Cockpit
The ten.25-inch configurable digital data show consists of spherical speedometer, tachometer and increase gauges with a black background, white lettering and pink accents that matched the pink stitching on the leather-covered steering wheel and shifter. The ball-style shifter has a pleasant grip and is located completely within the middle console the place it shares area with the digital parking brake piano change.
Taking middle stage of the sprint is the 8.25-inch colour touchscreen that handles the rear view digital camera and the seven-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD radio, with 4 USB C ports and app connection interfaces. SiriusXM is just not obtainable. Additionally a part of the MIB2 infotainment system is Bluetooth for phone and streaming music and wi-fi cellphone charging. The SE and Autobahn trims have a 10-inch show.
A mixture of knobs, switches and contact controls on the middle display screen or on the multi-function steering wheel work the radio and single zone local weather system.
Different conveniences are energy home windows, keyless entry, push button begin/cease, rain sensing windshield wipers, energy adjustable and folding heated facet mirrors with puddle lamps, rear window wiper and washer, digital parking brake, hill maintain, anti-theft system, a tire stress monitoring system, journey pc show and multi-color ambient cabin lighting.
All Golf fashions are geared up with Volkswagen’s CarNet related automotive expertise that gives a seamless hyperlink between the automotive and an iPhone, Android smartphone or pc, to as Volkswagen says, “hold you related along with your automotive even once you’re aside.”
Iconic Design
The long-lasting exterior is traditional Golf, with Volkswagen designers not going the route of including pointless scoops, vents or an excessively massive entrance grille. The Golf GTI is true to itself as a compact hatchback that delivers a pure pleasure of driving. Clear Fleet Report’s check automotive, was painted in a really engaging Atlantic Blue Metallic with a black roof.
The modern LED head and daytime operating lights squint from the far edges of the fenders, sitting above the 5 LED fog mild sample on the decrease fascia. The sculpted and gently sloped hood results in a robust however refined physique line, the road that runs the facet of the automotive from entrance to again. The flat roof has a color-keyed shark fin antenna that sits simply earlier than the small hatch window visor. Horizontal LED back lights, a VW badge that flips-up to disclose the rear view digital camera, and the daring “GTI” badge in pink all reside above the dual chrome-tipped exhaust pipes peaking-out from underneath the rear fascia.
Driver Help and Security
Along with six airbags, all 2024 Volkswagen Golf fashions include IQ Drive that makes use of entrance and rear radar, a entrance digital camera and several other ultrasound sensors to gather information enabling semi-automated driving help. Different Superior Driver Help Techniques (ADAS) are Journey Help, ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, blind spot monitor, rear visitors alert, adaptive cruise management and lane protecting help. Journey Help additionally permits for transient quantities of time the place the driving force’s palms usually are not touching the steering wheel. Emergency Help will carry the Golf to a cease if no driver exercise is monitored.
The Clever Crash Response System turns off the gas pump, unlocks the doorways and switches on the hazard lights in case of an accident. If there’s an accident, the brakes are robotically utilized by the automated post-collision braking system so the automotive doesn’t proceed shifting, leading to a secondary accident. This expertise’s worth helps insure an incapacitated driver is just not injured additional by their automotive putting one other object.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2024 Golf GTI 380 S is available in three trims with these base costs, together with the obligatory $1,225 vacation spot price.
380 S $33,910
380 SE $38,710
380 Autobahn $42,050
The Golf comes with these warranties:
- New Car (Absolutely transferable) – 4 years/50,000 miles
- Scheduled Upkeep – Two years/20,000 miles
- Roadside Help – Three years/36,000 mile
- Corrosion Perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles
Observations: 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 S
Volkswagen’s former advertising slogan of Farfegnugen, or “driving enjoyment,” completely embodies the 2024 Golf GTI 380 S.
It’s okay to shed a tear, play faucets, doff your hat, place hand-on-heart or perhaps even lament a bit realizing the 6-speed handbook will now not be provided in future Volkswagen Golf GTIs.
In case your left leg wants a exercise, or enough-is-enough of sitting again and never being an energetic participant within the efficiency of a automotive, get all the way down to your native Volkswagen supplier and checkout the Golf GTI 380 S.
The bottom 2024 Golf GTI, with the 7-speed computerized, is simply $720 lower than the GTI 380 S with the 6-speed handbook transmission. The financial savings don’t equal the enjoyable being misplaced. Assuming you really get pleasure from driving.
Greenback-for-dollar the GTI 380 S is an absolute blast to drive because it does greater than anticipated. The Golf GTI holds its personal towards competing rivals just like the Hyundai Veloster N, Toyota GR Corolla, and the Honda Civic Sort Si.
Be certain that to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report e-newsletter (high proper of web page) to be notified of all new tales and automobile critiques.
Story and pictures by John Faulkner.
A few of our uncommon handbook adventures:
Flash Drive: MPG Drive Day
Highway Check: 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback
Flash Drive: 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost & Coyote 5.0 V8
Highway Check: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI S
Highway Check: 2022 Subaru BRZ Restricted
Information: 2023 Honda Civic Sort R
Highway Check: 2021 Chevrolet Camaro TS 2.0L Turbo
Highway Check: 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE
Highway Check: 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec
Disclosure:
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check automobiles from automakers to guage, usually for every week at a time. Our highway exams are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t tackle points akin to long-term reliability or complete price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new automobiles or expertise. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of automobiles and information irrespective of those inducements.
Our focus is on automobiles that supply the very best gas financial system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally function these environment friendly gas-powered automobiles which might be among the many high mpg automobiles of their class. As well as, we purpose to supply critiques and information on superior expertise and the choice gas automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for various viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].
