The winner of Top Gear's 2005 Car of the Year goes to...

[Viggen]

The VW Golf GTI.

Originally Posted by Volkswagen UK

Volkswagen’s new Golf GTI has been crowned Car of the Year 2005 by BBC Top Gear. At a prestigious ceremony held at The Groucho Club in London last night, Jeremy Clarkson, who both hosts the popular television show and writes for the top-selling magazine, presented the award to Dr Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen AG.

The awards represent the views of both the team on BBC 2’s Top Gear, the UK’s most watched motoring programme, and expert road testers at BBC Top Gear magazine, the country’s most popular motoring monthly.

The new GTI fought off tough competition to come out on top as Car of the Year. Clarkson, writing in the awards issue of Top Gear, was particularly impressed with the new turbocharged FSI powerplant: ‘The 2.0-litre engine is probably the strongest link of what’s a fairly unburstable chain. There’s no lag at all and even if you can’t be bothered to change gear, there’s always a bagful of torque on hand.’ He was also highly complimentary about the handling, steering, practicality and distinctive, yet subtle, styling.

‘The simple fact of the matter then is that no matter how you cut it, the Golf is either brilliant or excellent in every single area. It’s fast, it handles well, it’s easy to park, easy to run, socially acceptable anywhere, comfortable and well made to boot,’ Clarkson continued. Small wonder, then, that the new GTI took the winner’s place on the podium.

The new Golf GTI has received a rapturous reception from motoring experts in the run up to its UK launch in January, with glowing reviews and numerous group test victories. With evocative styling cues, sharp handling and brisk, aurally pleasing performance, the new generation is a deliberate hark back to the qualities that made the Mk I such a hit following its launch in 1976.

In summing up the reasons why the GTI took the coveted award, Clarkson wrote: ‘This new Golf is an absolute sensation.’

The 2.0-litre FSI 200 PS engine uses homogenous direct injection and turbocharging to achieve highly flexible power delivery – peak torque of 207 lbs ft is produced between 1,800 and 5,100 rpm. Yet despite this tractable quality, the new GTI is still exciting to take to the red line, where it produces lively performance.

Prices for the GTI start at £19,995 (RRP on the road), for the three-door with manual gearbox, rising to £21,820 for the five-door version with Volkswagen’s revolutionary DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission. Full specification details and on-line ordering are available at www.newgolfgti.co.uk. A number of customers have already placed orders for their cars and will be taking delivery very soon. Retailers are also able to take orders and will have demonstration vehicles ready to try shortly.

I'm very surprised with the glowing reviews. Getting praise from Jeremy is hard to get and he hated the outgoing MkIV GTI. Looks like it will be one hell of a car.

[Dark_Templer_102]

i sorta saw that coming...they always rave about how good the car is

atleast its not some exotic car non one can buy

[Phix]

Those rims and body colour ruin the GTI's appearance for me. They need something like the Golf R32's rims and maybe a nice glossy white with the black accents.

[MPower]

Umm... I dont necessarily agree, but it is a good choice none the less.

[Overheat]

I don't like 'circular' rims either. Ruined lots of Alfas and Lambos for me

[andyhui01]

when did TG review the GTi... I thought only FG reviewed it

[Buba]

Originally Posted by Phix

Those rims and body colour ruin the GTI's appearance for me. They need something like the Golf R32's rims and maybe a nice glossy white with the black accents.

Yep, the R32s Rims were just perfect... I still like the new GTi a lot... Gotta drive it soon... The gearbox is going to rule...

Buba

[Jostyrostelli]

Originally Posted by Phix

Those rims and body colour ruin the GTI's appearance for me.

The whole car ruines the VW Golf GTI for me..

[Viggen]

Originally Posted by andyhui01

when did TG review the GTi... I thought only FG reviewed it

It's featured on this week's show.

[v1ct0r]

those rims sure look like the koenigseggs...well i think so

[Dark_Templer_102]

Ah, i see the realtion...ya i guess they could pass for em

[MXM]

Ah, they're all copies of Porsche's classic telephone dials


That's what I use with my winter tyres, mainly because I don't have anything else. And they look ok on old car.

[Greatgraddage]

I hate the alpha romeo circular hole rims, they look so ugly it's scary.

[bone]

i pretty much hate everything about alfa romeo

except their V6 engine, sure looks great :p

[gaurav_200]

8)
I think AM DB9 or even Carrera GT would have been a better choice than Golf. I think Golf's days are over and we should get over it. Honda Jazz is a good cheap option. My personal fav is RX-8 8)

[Ethan]

The new GTi is one of the best versions of the Golf. Ok the circular rims are fugly but it's a improved and very sofisticated

[Daniel]

I love the rims! They dont look like the Porsche wheels, more Lambo like I'd say. I think they suited the car really well.

[Overheat]

Originally Posted by gaurav_200

8)
I think AM DB9 or even Carrera GT would have been a better choice than Golf. I think Golf's days are over and we should get over it. Honda Jazz is a good cheap option. My personal fav is RX-8 8)

Firstly, lose all the stupid emoticons and unbold. Secondly, it was about the best car considering all factors, one of those factors would have undoubtably have been price, hence killing out both of your suggestions.

[gaurav_200]

I said it Honda Jazz is a good cheap option. Can u read my words....

[SiR_dude]

I don't like those rims on the Golf, but I LOVE the "circular" rims that the Konigsegg and Murcielago wear....mmmmmm *drool*