BEST TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR: THE GOLF GT SPORT WITH 170 PS STRONG TSI AND DSG

- Golf GT Sport wins awards at Barcelona International Motor Show as a TSI with dual clutch transmission

Wolfsburg / Barcelona - The Golf GT Sport with TSI engine and dual clutch transmission (DSG) was honored with “Barcelona International Motor Show Award 2007.” In May, the TSI engines brought home to Wolfsburg the “Engine of the Year Award” for their class.

More than 100 automotive projects were nominated for the “Barcelona International Motor Show Awards” this year in Spain. The goal of the competition: To find the best technological innovation of the year.

The Spanish jury for the Golf GT Sport, a car whose powertrain systems are among the most technologically advanced in the world; the engines of the GT Sport cover a range from 75 kW to 125 kW. The prize-winning high-end engine, the 125 kW (170 PS) strong TSI, is a prime example of innovative engine charging. Its maximum torque of 240 Newton-meters at a low 1,750 rpm enables an absolutely impressive style of propulsion. After just 7.3 seconds the Golf GT Sport is moving at a fast 100 km/h, and its top speed is 220 km/h.

This is contrasted by – and this is decisive – an average fuel consumption of just 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers. This does not change when the Golf GT Sport TSI is paired with the innovative dual clutch transmission (DSG) either. This transmission, the only one of its kind in the world, unifies the comfort of an automatic and the dynamics and economy of a manual transmission.

Representing Volkswagen in accepting the “Barcelona International Motor Show Award” were Lucas Casasnovas, Volkswagen Brand Manager in Spain, and Michael Schäfer, Director of Dual Clutch Transmission Development. “TSI and DSG”, says Michael Schäfer, “underscore Volkswagen’s leadership position in the powertrain area. These technologies also reflect the fact that sportiness and economy definitely do not need to be mutually exclusive.”

TSI engines are currently offered on these Volkswagen models: Golf, Golf Variant, Golf Plus, CrossGolf, Jetta, Touran and CrossTouran. DSG dual clutch transmission is also available on these models, as well as on the Eos, Passat and Passat Variant.

The awards were initiated by the motor show management and the “Sociedad de Técnicos de Automoción” (STA). STA is the Spanish association of automotive engineers, comparable to the “Association of German Engineers” (VDI), and like VDI it is a member of FISTA, the well-known umbrella organization of automotive engineering associations worldwide.

Volkswagen are expert at using combinations of existing model parts and the GT is no exception.

It uses the Jetta and R32 grille, combined with the GTI bumper (but with Jetta cut-outs (but no chrome) - the R32 uses its own bumper). The GTI uses the honeycomb inserts and its own lower spoiler - the GT misses out on the centre 'lip'. The GT doesn't use any other body kit from the GTI - rear spoiler is standard, as is the rear bumper and side skirts.

The brakes are GTI (but no red calipers), and the wheel/tyre size is the same. Suspension is otherwise the identical (lower ride height), but gets slightly softer dampers/shocks.

Inside the seats are 'sport', but not as heavily bolstered as the GTI. The wheel is not GTI/R32, but a high-end standard wheel. Gear knob (DSG) is Jetta, but does get the wheel paddles from the GTI. Doesn't get the 300kph speedo from the GTI/R32 , but does get most of the whizzy stuff like ESP, Brake-Assist &c.. Misses out on the Tyre Pressure Monitor, but gets a Winter button instead (stops wheelspin on ice). Gets a boost gauge (TSI only), and misses out on the Water Temp gauge. Gets high-end MFD, but misses out on the 6 stacker and full alarm.

These specs are for South African built RHD models for markets like Australia and New Zealand - the German built models are built with mostly entry level equipment.

I've had mine for about 3 months and like it a lot. It's no GTI, but it's near enough for my purposes. The GTI was a little too hard-core for what I wanted, and the GT is also just a really interesting bit of engineering. It sounds great (1st s/charger, then turbo), and has torque right from idle through to the redline - any gear, any time. And if you pedal it gently will reward you with some great economy. Just keep reminding yourself it's only 1400cc, not 2500cc (like it feels).

Here in Australia VW have also released the hotter (also 125kw) 2.0litre diesel GT as well. It should be interesting to see how the market reacts to this one as well.