Volkswagen up! GTI

The GTi emblem has been the hallmark of the Volkswagen history since the Golf GTi, the forefather of the hot hatch hierarchy, and as hot hatches get even faster, the GTi legend continues to evolve into new and exciting ways. From the people behind the hot versions of the Golf and Polo, here comes the smallest addition to the GTi family.

2018 Volkswagen up! GTi

2018 Volkswagen up! GTi interior

This is the new Volkswagen up! GTi and starting at just 16,975 Euros (1.02 million PHP), it's surprisingly the most affordable hot hatch you can buy in case you don't have enough funds to buy the Golf GTi or the Polo GTi. What that is is a GTi for everyone who want to taste hot hatch heaven and hell in such a reasonable budget.

So, what do you get in a car as reasonably priced as a family car? Well, for starters, you'd get a choice of three or five doors, some basic GTi identity implanted on the up!'s compact looks as well as the interior styled to look like those American Eagle polo shirts you bought at the mall, and the powertrain that is classic hot hatch mantra.

The GTi version is powered by a very small 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder engine that is as smaller as a box of a toy robot big enough to your toddler to play with. It produces about 115PS of power and 200Nm of torque and it is mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is great news for speedo boys. Of course, it may not be as powerful as its GTi brothers or even its chief opponent, the Corsa OPC/VXR, but lack of power aside, the up! GTi is surprisingly accessible in the dynamics stakes, meaning that such handling will be popular among first timers.

It does 0-100kph in less than nine seconds and it will keep going up to 196kph. I know this is very irrelevant for a hot hatchback like this because speed is not measured when it comes to discover what is a hot hatch and the only way to measure how a hot hatch works is its dynamics.

Like it said, the up! GTi is surprisingly accessible in the dynamics stakes, meaning that such handling will be popular among first timers. Thanks to the dynamics heavily inspired from its big brothers, the VW up! GTi really handles like its big brothers but in a more convincing way that will leave drivers happy on the road and on the track. With all that spark in the up! GTi's life, there are some drawbacks to consider and being a hot hatch, it can a lot harsher to drive on normal traffic conditions and being front-wheel drive, there is a tendency to understeer, which is bad for people with arthritis and muscular pains. 

Behind the drawbacks, the up! GTi really is fun and just by looking at the 16,975 Euro compact, you have the tendency to say that you are feeling jealous because you would definitely want to drive this car someday and I couldn't agree more. For a price like this, this up! GTi will make people scream "shut up and take my money" to the dealership to try one and that's the magic of making a hot hatch that draws inspiration from the original Golf GTi. There's nothing exciting or harsh about it but it is great for rookies who want to experience the GTi magic first hand.

Photo: Volkswagen

GT SPORT: Past v Future

Counting down on the upcoming season of The Grand Tour, anyone remember the quick comparison test between the BMW i3 and the VW Golf GTi a couple of months ago? On that episode, both the GTi and the i3 had a drag race and then later, a trip to Devon to see concert at the pub, the trip where the petrol-powered Golf GTi trumped the i3, proving that the past is superior than the future. Let's see about that when I compare these two familiar machines right here on GT SPORT.




Well, here they are, although different than the ones seen in The Grand Tour season finale months ago. In the show, Jeremy drives a Golf GTi with five doors while James drives an i3 with the Range Extender feature. In here, I have a three-door GTi and a standard i3 without the REx feature but still, they act as similar as the ones in the show, giving me the ideal opportunity to get to know about the cars.




First, let's get to know about the car of the past, although it came out from the present times, the Volkswagen Golf GTi. On its seventh generation, the Golf GTi is utilized on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, which results to better ride quality and uncompromising safety. Under the hood, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine has been upgraded so now it produces 216HP of power, resulting to 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and onwards to 152mph. Apart from the performance, the GTi features improved handling such as the improved XDS electronic control differential lock, adaptive chassis control, and progressive steering, making this hot hatch as sporty as hot hatches can get.



Now, what about the car of the future, the BMW i3? Being one of the firsts of BMW's new i sub-brand, the i3 features futuristic styling with unbiased efficiency and dynamics electric car consumers are longing for. The electric motor that powers it produces 167HP of power and 184.4ft-lb of torque, bringing most of the power to the rear wheels, which is rather a surprise for an electric car like this. Although the top speed is just a dismal 93mph, the i3's electric motors deliver peak torque instantly, meaning it can get off the line quicker than the Golf GTi from a standstill, as demonstrated in that Grand Tour episode I mentioned. At full charge, the i3 can go up to 99.4 miles and when set to ECO PRO + with less air conditioning and power saving measures. 124.2 miles of electric range.

It's amazing that I get to meet along the car of the past and the car of the future but the question is, which one will prevail? To find out, I went to Brands Hatch to settle this debate.



You may remember that in the drag race portion of this comparo, despite the i3's peak torque, the Golf GTi managed to overtake the i3 and won, making the future very rubbish on television. So, what about the way it behaves when these two are taken very seriously for that matter?

As I tried these two machines, there is a clear difference between these two as even though the Golf GTi has improved handling compared to the previous GTis of yesteryears, it has a tendency to understeer just like any other front-wheel drive car but it feels so lively to drive with and brings out the GTi's true potential as a hot hatch that you can use it everyday.

The i3 maybe rear-wheel drive but it's no drift machine because of the nature of this electric compact but despite that, it has a healthy handling dynamics because the batteries are mounted in the middle for better weight distribution and because of extensive use of carbon fiber on the interior as well as aluminium chassis, not only it's rigid but also very lightweight.

Now, let's find out which one will be the best on a one lap round Brands Hatch. This will decide which will prevail for the future of driving...



And now, the results...

GTi -1:00.222
i3 - 0:59.622

That was a close call for these two machines because even these cars are between less than a second apart, they really are too close to call when it comes to figuring out which one is the best. I mean come on, I'm starting to admire that the BMW i3 behaves like a Golf GTi in every tangible way and because they're similar in terms of dynamics, looks like the boys are absolutely useless at handling these machines with common sense.



In the battle between the past and the future, it's hard to decide which one will prevail because as the world turns away from fossil fuels, electric cars will become the dominant figure of the future of motoring but some warned that with the rise of electric cars, the world's power supply can't keep up with the trend. In the meantime, while we appreciate the rise of electric cars, the conventional automobile should not be forgotten because even though we spend so much money on refueling our rides, it's safe to say that it was made to get through your ideal points of interests without the drama and as the world's bureaucrats are unleashing a scorched earth policy against petrol and diesel, it could be the ideal time to savor the moment of driving a car with internal combustion engine like there's no tomorrow. And that is the bottom line.

GT SPORT: Renaissance du mythe

It's time to introduce one of the cars that are certified "Gran Turismo exclusive" in the new GT SPORT video game on the PlayStation4 and one of these certified "Gran Turismo exclusive" cars is none other than Peugeot's return to the hot hatch battle, the 208 GTi.



Yes, really, this is the new Peugeot 208 GTi, a grand return to form from a company that is stuck making dreary boxes for too long. In other words, for the first time, a Peugeot that can really make your heart pulse. By reviving the GTi nameplate as seen from the mythical 205 GTi, the 208 GTi tries draw some inspirations from a legendary hot hatch in terms of driving characteristics and by a margin of a doubt, it is.



It's light, it's easy to drive, and in this all new "208 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT", it's surprisingly very spritey indeed. The pre-facelifted 208 GTi has a 1.6L THP engine that produces 200PS of power output. This facelifted version has 208PS of power, 8 more than the old one, and 300Nm of torque. This results to a 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds, .5 seconds quicker than the old 208 GTi, while retaining its 230kph of top speed.

Apart from that, the 208 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT draws some cues from the limited-edition 208 GTi 30th Anniversary special variant such as the Torsen limited slip differential, recalibrated ESP and traction control that you can have it on or off on the go, redefined suspension geometry for lower centre of gravity, recalibrated steering, and new damper settings and spring rates, resulting to a hot hatch that is proven to be better than the best and for Gran Turismo fans, this is good news because if you have many things to hate about a hundred thousand or a million dollar supercar or an overpowered muscle car, consider this hot hatch one of the many things you'll love about GT SPORT.

So go on then, get giddy, you know you wanted to drive this hot Peugeot. Even I always wanted to drive a hot Pug like the 208. It's time to demonstrate just how much you'll love about the 208 GTi on a drive round Tokyo. Let's do this.



Impressed? I bet you are because with cars like these, there's no doubt you would definitely want to come back playing GT SPORT for some GT-exclusive rides like the 208 GTi.



Always wanted to say this but here goes, ahem, the Peugeot 208 GTi - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.

New Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport

Peugeot's return to hot hatchery since the 208 GTi made the French carmaker to explore new heights with the arrival of the brand new 308 GTi, their most potent version of the second-generation Peugeot 308 hatchback. Would the VW Golf GTi had something to worry about?

2016 Peugeot 308 GTi

Generally, yes, because with the new 308 GTi, Peugeot managed to venture the hot hatch world with brave new heights because this is essentially the most powerful Peugeot hot hatch ever made and for some, this new hot hatch wants to draw inspiration from the legendary Peugeot 306 S16, the hatchback that set benchmarks for French hot hatches, but truth be told, it's a lot more than that.

It's powered by a 1.6L THP engine that delivers a much tangible 270HP of power output. With that kind of power output, it's an undeniable fact that this is much more powerful than the Golf GTi and the Ford Focus ST, but less than the ultimate Golf, the Golf R. Mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-100kph in less than six seconds and onwards to an electronically limited 250kph.

Either way, even though the 308 GTi has some big power under its small engine, the handling that has been the key point of hot hatches is still there. Thanks to the available Driver Sport Pack, the new GTi feels as livelier as Peugeot's past hot hatchbacks that dates back to the iconic 205 GTi, meaning it's a great car to drive on a track day and it doesn't matter if you're not concentrating. It maybe mild on the driving dynamics but it feels very accessible to handle and even if you're a track-shy rookie, it feels not so bad. However, while the GTi is focused to be a track weapon, driving on normal roads will have a different experience and because of its stiffened suspension, you may find driving one on the city streets to be a stressful experience, especially on heavy traffic.

Anyway, should you buy one? The new Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport starts at 37,200 Euros, which sounds like a lot for a Peugeot but less expensive than the Golf R, which is not what you call a smart buy but either way, the 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport is the ideal hot hatch to drive on a track day and if you wouldn't mind the stiffened suspension that caused so much drama on the normal roads, it is a fantastic addition to your garage.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Volkswagen Golf VII GTi

A true hot hatch needs to be somewhat fun to drive, has some of the gadgets for the driver to enjoy such as listening to music, a boot to put something at the back, and everything else that what makes a hot hatch, the hot hatch but not all hot hatches are made to be hot hatches because they all come in different shapes and sizes. It's the year 2013, and it's going to be the golden year for hot hatches good, bad, and ugly. From the Renault Clio 200 EDC, the one with the double clutch gearbox and 5 doors that doesn't make any sense for a hot hatch to the Peugeot 208 GTi which is a sensual hot hatch for the chosen few, there's a whole lot of hot hatches coming right at you and for Volkswagen, they're not absent for the hot hatch race.

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTi

Welcome everyone to the brand new Golf GTi, the latest version of Volkswagen's most talked about hot hatchback everyone wants to have one. When I said "most talked about", I wonder if this is the kind of car that sparked a worldwide trending topic in the social medium? Anyway, started out in life as a Volkswagen Golf VII, the plain-looking one with the new type of platform, but the GTi injects some of the historical GTi heritage in the latest Golf so by the looks of it, it's not all that bad but be warned though, the GTi is the bad boy of the Golf range so the only thing the new GTi is good for is being as bad as John Travolta. Gosh, why would I want to make tortured metaphors on this? Oh well...

With the sport-tuned suspension, turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine (TSI) with 220PS of power output, and a whole lot of gizmos loaded on it, the new GTi loves to turn a bored driver into an extreme brainiac. So extreme, there's going to be a whole lot of science abuse out here. So, science abuse eh? How was it? Well, since this car wants me to turn into a brainiac with the love for abusing science, this isn't a car, it's like thermite disguised as a...um...well, what do you call those kind of candy that goes "pop" when it gets dipped on your tongue? Well, I don't know what kind of candy but I tried one of those "popping" stuff. Anyway, that's how it feels like. It's a thermite made to look like candy because that's what the new GTi best described.

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTi interior

No matter which transmission you chose, either a 6-speed manual or the 7-speed DSG, the new GTi has a 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds, bridging the gap between the Renault Clio 200 and the Peugeot 208 GTi. Top speed is 246kph, meaning it's quicker than the 208 GTi or the Renault Clio 200 as well, even with 5 doors! Wait? 5 doors?! Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the new Golf GTi is available in either a 3 door for the tangy ones or a 5 door for the not so daring. Okay, I said the daring part but never mind. The 3-door version is daring for the hardcore but the 5-door is for those who had friends and then go out to the nightclub to waste themselves dancing. Pricing starts at 28,350 Euros, which means that this GTi's reasonably priced. Every speedo boy wants to have one for a living though but for the matured speedo boys, there's a patch for that...

2014 Volkswagen Golf GTi

There's also a new PERFORMANCE version of the new Golf GTi and what you get on this update is an additional 10PS of power, 250kph of top speed, and then there's the newly engineered electronic front differential lock developed specifically for this variant. Anyway, we don't need words to explain what's what, this GTi Performance version turns the normal Golf GTi into what it feels like it's been acting like "Jack the Ripper". Ouch. So Jack the Ripper-ish, the only thing that you might expect next is the snapping of your neck. While I'm not going to demonstrate how neck-breaking this Performance is, it's still the new Golf GTi I know. A perfect track wolf on a track day and a pefect cruising buddy on your weekends. This car won't make you disappoint, it will always plant a huge smile on your grin until you are opted to do the face dance. What you're looking up here is what I believed to be the best GTi ever made and you are more than welcomed to find one at your nearest VW dealer.

Available colors:

• Pure White
• Schwarz
• Tornadorot
• Carbon Steel Grey Metallic
• Limestone Grey Metallic
• Night Blue Metallic
• Reflexsilber Metallic
• Tungsten Silver Metallic
• Deep Black Perleffekt
• Oryxweiß Perlmutteffekt
• Blau
• Dark Violett Perleffekt
• Deep Blue Perleffekt
• Inky Blue Perleffekt
• Lichtblau
• Mercato-Blau Metallic
• Moonlight Blue Perleffekt
• Ravennablau Metallic
• Silberblau Metallic
• Techno-Blau Perleffekt
• Ultramarinblau
• Violet Touch Perleffekt
• Ginstergelb
• Yellow
• Platinum Grey Metallic
• Silbergrau Metallic
• Zinngrau Metallic
• Bright Green Perleffekt
• Minzgrün
• Racing-Grün
• Resedagrün
• Colarot 2000
• Dark Burgundy Perleffekt
• Flash-Rot

Photo: Volkswagen

Renaultsport Clio/Lutecia IV 200 EDC vs. Peugeot 208 GTi

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Welcome everyone to the brand new Renaultsport Clio RS 200 EDC. Renault claims it that this is the most technologically advanced Clio ever made for the enthusiast and by far out of being the most confusing Clio ever made even though it was based on the fourth-generation Clio (Lutecia in the Japanese market).

At first glance, it's no longer a three-door because Renault thrown the world a curve by making it available exclusively as a five-door model and that seems to be odd to be a hot hatchback that turns into a family-oriented machine. How did that happened? Five doors? That seems inappropriate for a car like this and for the worse of it, the hot-hatch favored 6-speed manual has officially dropped and replaced by a dual-clutch transmission called EDC that some say it's relatively quicker to shift than manuals. I know, that's how dual clutch transmissions work but seems to me that it's getting a bit more advanced than being an old-school hot hatchback suitable for the top dog.

There's also another transition to the new Clio because the naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine has now been thrown away for good and replaced with the 1.6L DIG TURBO engine that you may normally find it in the Nissan Juke but for the Renaultsport Clio though, this produces about 200PS of power and 240Nm of torque. 200PS? That's the same as the old 2.0L NA engine it replaces and that could only mean one thing...This new model ain't even BOVVERED. Zero to 100kph takes about 6.7 seconds and flatout in 225kph, meaning that this car is faster than the old model and despite the added doors, this car is 36kg lighter!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Even with a downsized engine and the transition to a dual-clutch transmission that can be operated via paddle shifters, the new Clio RS 200 EDC really ain't even BOVVERED at all and the way it handles the corners, it sure knows how to corner very well. No matter the kind of corner is, this car ain't even bovvered. It kinda reminded me of a character that ain't even bothered. Face? Look? Bovvered? I AIN'T BOVVERED!!!! He he he he....That gets me all the time. And oh! Something tells me about this new model though. In a coming weeks, there's an app on the Renault's R-Link system and this app mimics the sound of several high-performance engines and plays them back via the car's own loud speakers. There were seven noises available while the three noises were made specifically for this model. There was the Alpine A110 noise which mimics the glory road of the legendary Alpine machine, the Renualt 8 Gordini that mimics the sound of the legendary Gordini, and then the Nissan GT-R noise that brings the sound of Godzilla to the Clio. That seems cool and you can even amuse your friends with that. Ho ho!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Surprisingly though, this new Clio RS 200 EDC, just like its normal Clio brother, has all of the gadgets that you'll find it more addicting if you're a tech savvy kind of driver and with the new version of the R.S. MONITOR, this is a serious negotiator when you're using it on track days.

Overall, I can always forgive about those transitions, I'm starting to fall in love with this high-performance version. The Renault R-Link is what grabs my attention because I'm a tech-savvy kind of person and this made me addicted to it while thrashing around the new Clio RS EDC on the road or on track days. Guess I'm getting myself a Little Man Syndrome because that car made me turned into a kid in my mind every time I'm getting obsessed with this car.

However, if there's something even more addicting, I wonder, how come there's another hot hatch that is about as addicting as the new Clio RS? Talk to this hot hatch that I'm going to feature it...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

This new Peugeot 208 GTi seems to be somewhat an upperclassman's choice if he didn't like the Renault Clio RS EDC. Sure, it has the same 1.6L turbocharged engine as the Clio but unlike the Clio RS that has the dual-clutch, the 208 GTi's best served with an old-school 6-speed manual transmission. Unlike the Clio RS EDC, the 208 GTi is 3-door only and that's what I called it a proper hot hatchback. Amazingly though, while the Clio RS does 225kph, the 208 GTi does 230kph, that's about 5kph quicker than the Clio RS EDC!

The reason why the 208 GTi is quicker than the Clio RS EDC is because it's lighter. With a compact sizing, it seems that the term "small and light" is best describes it. Seems that the 208 GTi tries to win my heart better than the Clio RS EDC and you know what, this car says that it tries to capture the magic and the essence of the legendary 205 GTi, the hot hatch that made Peugeot jumped through a shot of fame in motorsports.

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi interior

By the moment you drive the 208 GTi, you'll get the sort of feeling that it tries to learn the moves that the 205 GTi does in the past decades. Because this car signals the return of the GTi marque on Peugeot and not to be confused on the VW GTi, this would be the trump card for PSA Peugeot-Citroen to get things right in the midst of poor performance in sales, shares, and marketing since the Euro Debt Crisis hit hard on European carmakers. However, can the new 208 GTi work? Spoilers...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

You've been given a choice; the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is a tech-savvy high-performance road runner that is good enough for everyday use because of its five-door exclusivity and it's a track-eater that feels like here comes Pac-Man eating every dot in a maze. The 208 GTi from Peugeot though, it's a very serious machine made for the very serious enthusiast who sometimes his seriousness may wore off completely and become completely nuts when he got enslaved by its tech-savvy gadgetry and performance. So, the question is, which of these two French hot hatches is your pick? You decide...

The new Polo GTi - It's Explosive

Imagine if the guys from Top Gear Korea went
to Switzerland to drive the new Polo GTi...

Those hot hatches in Forza Motorsport 4 such as the Ford Focus RS, Volkswagen Scirocco R, Renaultsport Megane, and the SEAT Leon Cupra R are seem to be massive. Surely, I was very contended driving with turbocharged micro-minis, especially the Fiat 500 Abarth, but I found out that none of these hot hatches satisfying me for its performance. What I need now is a very "hot" hatch that satisfies my craving and this could be a contender. Representing the Forza Motorsport 4 February ALMS Pack, this is the all new Volkswagen Polo V GTi. The only hot hatch that comes with a supercharger and turbocharger all rolled into one. Those days of driving hot hatches in Forza Motorsport 4 are becoming one of my "Engineering Connections" and with this, this is Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections to the next level.

INSANELY BONKERS!!!

About the Polo V GTi, this is the high-performance version of the fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo, the Golf's little brother. What it lives it up to its name was its superior handling and uncompromising engine dynamics. This is the only Volkswagen hot hatch that comes with the direct-injected 1.4L TSi Twincharger engine, an engine that combines two of the most powerful attributes of the performance world; a supercharger and a turbocharger. This is just like the Japanese hatchback with the words "Super Turbo" from the past. The 1.4L Twincharger engine produces 177HP of power and 184 lb-ft of torque. This allows the car to go from naught to 60 in 6 and a half seconds and it can flat out in 147mph. Those figures really made the Polo V GTi go neck-and-neck with its big brother, the Volkswagen Golf VI GTi.

It's explosive...(Sorry VW Scirocco)

This Polo V GTi made me found the answer I was looking for when it comes to observing the "Engineering Connections" of a hot hatch but it always made me completely bonkers because of its 1.4L Twincharger engine and a 7-speed DSG that makes shifting smooth and silky as my polo I'm wearing for my night classes. This car is not a hot hatch, much like the others, but it is a hyper hatch that is purely demonic and explosive. Some say, it will get you into trouble easily, it will get you out with a smile on your face, and it will soothe your brow, all the way home. As a matter of fact, (sigh) I love it! (Mwah)

Volkswagen Golf VI GTI - Forza 3 Owner's View

Golf VI GTI in New York

We may know that this is the one
from the TV advert

Golf VI GTI at the Nurburgring GP

FINAL IMPRESSIONS: One of Volkwagen's legendary masterpieces, the Golf GTi, is on its sixth generation and it was launched since 2009. I always want to try that kind of GTi until when Forza 3 arrived, I finally got the urge to try out the Volkswagen Golf VI GTi.

It feels, sounds, and runs just like the real thing. As time goes by, it seems there are only a few people driving the Golf VI GTi on this game, probably because they are switching to a more powerful Golf called the Golf R, which is also offered on this game. Now what should I do with the Golf VI GTi?

VW Polo V GTi

2011 Volkswagen Polo V GTi

If the Golf GTi was too expensive for a Geman hot hatch aficionado like you, this hot hatch could be a cheaper alternative to the almost 30,000 Euro sports hatch.

Since the cost of this highly modified Polo is 4775 Euros less than the Golf GTi, the Polo GTi is a great hot hatch to begin tearing down every track day meets at the cost of your adrenaline pleasure. Available in 3-door and 5-door variants, choosing which Polo GTi style suits from your pleasure of trying on the cheaper alternative to the Golf GTi. No matter which body style you choose, you might be able to take a plunge on the Polo GTi's 1.4 TSI engine that comes with the standard 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox. Despite the raw power of the turbocharged engine, the DSG on the Polo GTi makes it dull to drive if you are an avid fan of manual transmissions, because this GTi does not offer a manual transmission, making it a decent machine suited for the amateurs. If you want to go professional, try choosing the Golf GTi because it offers the manual transmission.

On the design story, the Polo GTi truly shows its hot hatch side, wearing a trademark GTi red grille, GTi badges, and trademark GTi rims. With these looks, I am assuring that the Polo GTi looks at its best as if does to its big brother, the Golf GTi. On the interior, the dark interior color and the seats seems to be bland but OK for the hot hatch addict. What needs on the Polo GTi's interior is to put some bucket seats so it can show off its sporty side and the enjoyment while driving the Polo GTi on any track it desires, especially the Nurburgring.

My thoughts about the Polo GTi:
If I crossed my fingers that Volkswagen will return on the Philippines soon (I hope that PGA Cars, the distributor of Audi and Porsche, got the memo), my thoughts that the Polo GTi is too blurry to sell it because of its decent looks. Aside from that, the DSG is not much of a game changing experience because what professional V-Dub enthusiasts want is the Golf GTi because it offers the manual transmission. If the Golf GTi does not suit to your income, maybe the Polo GTi should be the best compact for the job. Since this hot hatch has a reasonable price and features, only the amateurs are welcome to try on this premium sports compact car.

Photo: Carview

Peugeot 308 GTi

It seems that the GTi's past is finally returned to scare its European rivals and show which hot hatch is built for deterrence. When Renault successfully returned the Gordini name and use the Renault Twingo Renault Sport and recently facelifted Clio (known in Japan as the Lutecia) Renault Sport for their Gordini spin-offs, Peugeot decided to revive the GTi (please note that it is Peugeot's GTi naming, not Volkswagen's) name via the high-performance version of the hard-hitting blockbuster from Europe, the Peugeot 308.

Destined to be locked-on by its rivals such as the SEAT Ibiza FR, Volkswagen Golf GTi, and the Renault Clio/Lutecia GT, the 308 GTi is not merely a cruise missile launched by the French Army but it has a heart of an officier subalterne (French for Junior Officer) which makes it a formidable choice among amateurs. With the base price of 26,900 Euros, which is pricier than the Renault Clio/Lutecia GT but affordable than the Volkswagen Golf GTi, how else can you expect more from this hot hatch built for excitement? To make it simple, the 308 GTi is powered with the standard turbocharged 1.6L, 200 PS, THP engine that covers the top speed of 237km/h and the split time of 7.7 seconds on a 0-100km run. Compare these stats with the Renault Clio/Lutecia GT and the 308 GTi say "you're such a loser" to its rival. The 308 GTi comes with a standard 6-speed manual transmission.

My thoughts about the 308 GTi:
Some things that were once disappeared may reborn in various forms. The GTi naming for Peugeot is finally reborn but not just in a form of an eccentric reason, but a reason to fight back in this economy. With this 308 GTi, this hot hatch is merely a good deterrent in the streets of Europe. It is merely to be known as "the return of the myth" since the GTi naming is back. With the JDM Civic Type R Sedan's disappearance, and the Type R Euro remains for one more chance, the 308 GTi can be a fair rival against the Honda Civic Type R Euro. It is not just made for fun, it is made for passion, if I do say so myself.