Volkswagen Golf car leasing

VW Golf GT 2.0 TDI 170 5dr.

One of the most eagerly anticipated new diesel cars of the year has arrived, promising impressive performance and the sort of fuel economy that’s tempting proposition for fleet users with money to spend.

The VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI 170 is the new range-topping diesel. But it’s more than that; there’s enough under the bonnet for this car to claim third spot in the entire Golf range. Only the 200PS 2.0-litre TFSI in the GTI and the 250PS 3.2-litre V6 unit in the R32 are more powerful.

As the new flagship oil-burner, it takes the crown from the 140PS version. Top speed has been stretched from 126 to 137mph, while the 0-60mph sprint is over a second quicker at 8.2. Fuel economy is down as you’d expect, but it’s not massive in real world terms, only dropping from 49.6mpg to 46.3mpg.

On the road the engine upgrade is instantly noticeable. With loads of torque or shove available from 1750rpm, the car is lightning quick, but the swift acceleration through the limited rev range means gear changes come often if you want keep the fuel economy up. If consumption isn’t an issue, leave the six-speed gearbox in third or fourth on the twisty back roads and enjoy the performance and noise. For motorway cruising, get up to sixth quickly and sit back.

Power is delivered evenly and with no drama. The steering is measured and firm while the brakes are sharp and smooth with limited front-end dip. The rest of the vehicle is standard Golf, meaning an easy to drive, well put together machine that will retain its value well.

In the cabin the rake and reach-adjustable steering wheel is leather-trimmed and comes with chromed GT badging. Black decorative inserts in the dashboard and centre console also mark out the GT. Our vehicle came with a host of extras including the DVD-based colour screen navigation system, plus front centre armrest with CD autochanger. That’s £1845-worth of options.

The new engine is also in the Audi A, A4 and Seat Leon FR, and it will spread through the VW Group range in due course. Fleet buyers will be interested to note the next vehicle to get it will be the Passat later this year. In the smaller Golf, the 170PS performance means it’s heading towards GTI territory, but can’t be badged as such to avoid diluting the resurgent Golf GTi branding.

Despite that, the newcomer provides a driving experience that’s virtually as good and delivers 11mpg more.

VW Golf GTI 30th Anniversary 5dr

What’s new: 30th Anniversary version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI gains an extra 30PS over the standard GTI, special badging and a sports body kit including lower bumpers and new alloys.

Excellent: The power upgrade to 230PS really gives the GTI some welcome extra grunt. Takes it from fast to really fast.

Good: The additional 30PS power hike doesn’t harm the Golf’s ride, handling or steering, so don’t worry – there’s still plenty of serious fun to be had.

Average: It’s subjective, but the new sports body kit along with the new alloy wheels mean the clean lines of the standard Golf GTI are lost.

Poor: An insurance group rating of 18 means that unfortunately the car may be excluded from some fleet lists.

Verdict: Essentially an officially chipped version of the Golf GTI, and it’s even better than the standard car.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI GT 170PS 3dr

Love to have been in the meeting where a bunch of grubby engineers announced to sharp-suited VW marketing execs they were replacing the excellent 2.0-litre FSi engine with a weedy 1.4.

The marketers’ shock must have been priceless. Sure there’s a climate of downsizing, but shouldn’t an engine that small live under a supermini’s bonnet? As the suits’ despair verged on anger, imagine one of the engineers leaning forward and calmly announcing his new engine produces more power, uses less fuel and has a lower CO2 output compared with the 2.0-litre they were about to bin.

The TSI manages this economical feat by cleverly combining a supercharger and turbo to allow engineers to use a small-capacity engine.

But why use both types of forced induction and not just turbocharging? Turbos use exhaust gases generated from the engine to spin turbines to pump fresh air back into the engine. Problem is, turbos only come on-line once the engine is spinning fairly high, meaning there is a delay, known as turbo lag. To cure this, VW added a supercharger that is engine-driven and boosts from low revs, but unusually, once the supercharger’s delivered its best at 3500rpm it is disengaged to let the turbo get on with its good w

The last application of both turbo and supercharger was back in the 80s, when Lancia used the technology to win rallies, whereas VW is using it to win business buyers. The new engine produces 170PS, averages 38.2mpg on the combined cycle and emits 175g/km, helping it to slot into the 22% BIK tax bracket. In perspective, that’s 20PS more than the 2.0-litre while improving average economy by 2.9mpg and dropping 3% in BIK bandings, all for an £820 premium. Performance on paper is in another class, and the 0-62mph dash drops a second to 7.9secs.

Despite the slightly gruff engine note at low revs there’s punchy acceleration from almost idle that barely lets up. It’s so good that once on boost the boundary between TSI and GTi almost start to become blurred.

Around town the TSI’s more forgiving ride and smaller 17-inch alloys means it’s a comfortable and formidable tool.

This Volkswagen Golf Car Review was completed by www.businesscar.co.uk

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