With a lame 0-60 time of 7.1 and a top of 120mph, the only definition of fast that aptly describes the 2006 VW GTI is “a period of abstention or self-denial.”
Sorry, Volkswagen, but in a world where there are cheap and plentiful cars with under 5-second 0-60 times, why would Volkswagen brave a campaign called “Make Friends with Your Fast?” With a top speed of 120mph and a 0-60 of 7.1 seconds, the 2006 GTI is neither fast nor quick. Volkswagen Golf GTI, I would like to introduce you to the Subaru WRX STI and the Mitsubishi EVO. Both cars fast as hell and quick as fuck.
Comments (16)
Being in marketing yourself, I should think you’d know this one. Never having taken a business course myself, I’ll take a stab.
The goal of marketing is what? To get your target demographic to look at the product you’re proferring. Advertising speed–without regards to accuracy; we’ll get there in a second–certainly appeals to VW’s target demo of youngish professionals.
Whether you advertise your car’s speed/quickness depends on the campaigns the competition is running. If Subaru et al’s strategies are to market other aspects of their product, then VW’s got a fairly unique hook.
VW has to be reasonably confident that, once a potential buyer is comparison shopping–and that the GTI is on their list because of said hook–VW will come out ahead on the other aspects of their product that are ranked as highly important by their target demo. Likely in this case are handling, interior, sound system, brand cachet. Warranty, service, and gas mileage probably come further down on the list, but are still considerations.
Once the buyer considers all factors, they might well decide that no, 7.0 seconds isn’t AS fast, but that it’s certainly fast ENOUGH. The “Make Friends” campaign has done its job–it’s gotten the customer to walk into the proverbial shop.
Besides, marketing a car’s comfort, interior, sound system, etc doesn’t exactly make for such a pithy, exciting, and alliterative hook.
It’s actually pretty brilliant and gutsy, if you think about it.
STI and EVO?? What?! You think VW is targeting people with that kind of budget? You can get the GTI new for just under 22K, an STI…over 30K. Big difference in price. And big difference in price comes big difference in performance.
ARe you kidding, I own a 2006 GTI with the DSG, and the O - 60 time is about 6.5 seconds. I have satellite radio, a sunroof and 18″ wheels. It cost about 25K. Its plenty fast, and is hell of alot better quality than both the WRX and the Evo. It comes with many more features too.
I am glad you’re happy. 6.5 seconds isn’t quick any more. And a 120MPH top end isn’t fast. A GTI is supposed to be a sporty car. Isn’t it supposed to be the fastest of the VWs. But I checked and you’re right — before 2000, 6.5 seconds was fast.
I don’t know where you get your information from Chris but a GTI has a top speed of 147MPH. Maybe your talking about the watered down American version! Or perhaps you sould actually drive one and take it too it’s top speed before posting this crap!!! Check out the european versions stats. The top speed for a WRX has a top speed of 143MPH and a WRX STI of 158MPH.
We really only have access to the watered down US version. I have always loved Rabbits and Golfs and it really broke my heart that the GTI isn’t one of the fastest cars on the road.
The GTi has a top speed of 147mph, with DSG I get 6.5 secs minimum to 60mph. In comfort, and very safely all for £22,000. If you think the ‘boy racer’ absolutely ugly WRX or Evo is a better looking car with the level of performance you seek for another £5k-£10 then go buy one but do not compare them as they are simply very different cars in very different market spaces.
i agree with Chris Abraham as the subaru and evo are in a entirely different league with the GTI because firstly they’re AWD makes a big difference and i think you’d be better off comparing them with the new generation R32 wich is a cracker of a motor and i think you’l find the R32 looks better then the evo and scooby its around the £30k mark it gets to 60 in 5.9secs and of course has german build quality. im a die hard GTI fan and i currently own a 175bhp MK2 GTI 16valve and i have to say it is in my opinion the best GTI off all time
sorry not chris abraham i ment N Thompson
sanj
My GTI is chipped with a few other mods and I destroy evos and STIs all day long with under $2000 in mods. It’s designed for the autobahn. Evos and STIs are geared for 0-60 and quarter mile and suck after 100mph. GTI is more of a real car than Evo and STI will ever be and is cheaper. Evos and STIs are purely built for performance you will never use in daily driving. Do some research. EVOs are amazing, but not for the average person. GTIs get gas mileage almost as good as 30 in town and over 30 on the highway. Much better quality also!!!
On a side note. I don’t know if you read much, but Car and Driver has clocked the 2007 GTI at least twice 0-60. Once in febuary 2007 at 6.0 sec. 1/4 mile in 14.6 sec at 96mph. The other time in this months issue. 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile in 14.5 sec at 95mph. Those numbers seem to be pretty consistent. Both road tests seems to be right around the same times. As far as I’m concerned 6 sec 0-60 with great handling and more than the average standard features starting around 22,000 is a bargain. Anyone else agree??
i do. also has anyone seen the 08 stis?
they are ugly as hell. the evo always looks nice, in my opinion but if i had 30 K american i would put it towards a gti then spend 4-5K on mods. all us americans really care about is the 0-60 because honestly we can only drive in straight lines in our 1/4 miles. even if the sti 0-60 is 1 and 1/2 seconds faster why pay the 8K more for the ugly mofo when you could do so much better going w/ the gti
dude, my 2002 gti 1.8t can clock a 0-60 time in 6.5-ish seconds stock. im puttin in an apr chip and a full exhaust this summer! itll probably hit the late 5 seconds (around 5.8-ish 0-60 times). and i only bought this car for $10,850 used. if u compare the prices between the 2 cars, the gti is a best overall pick. it has amazing handling, better mpg, itz a lot safer, and most of all, itz german engineering, dude!
but i do have 2 admit, them sti’s and evo’s r scary as heck! the 2006 evo mr is lyke a hundreth of a second faster than my uncle’s ferrari 512 tr 0-60 times. same wit the new sti, 2!!! but the ferrari does win in a 1/4th mile race, tho.
in my opinion, if u bought ure own gti and put sum ups 2 it, u can definitely take on the wrx’s and mayb, jus mayb, u can prolly beat certain kinds of evo’s.
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The new golf gti is rubbish i am only 18 and have dreamed for a fast car for ages. At the moment i have a saxo vts and wen i raced the golf i left it for dead on the corners and straight i was expectin more of a competition from it but if i was rubbish