The People's Supercar

The VW Golf GTI, available for the first time in India in its Mk 8.5 avatar, stretches its legs with ease, confidently sitting at 267kmph on NATRAX's expansive 11.3 km high-speed oval - the longest in Asia

- By Sharan Sanil

A lot of thoughts cross like the annoying popularity of SUVs, the death of sedans, and the inevitable rise of EVs are drowned out by the grin and primal emotion that spawn from commanding 261 horses and feeling g-forces, accompanied by a sweet soundtrack. At 200 km/h, on a 26-degree banking, the only thing on my mind is, 'God bless the hot hatch!' I go on to hit 267 km/h, and with more rpm in reserve, it could push into the high-280s if unrestricted. But high-speed thrills aren't the Golf GTI's only appeal. If it were only about straight-line speed, many contenders would suffice. The Golf GTI is special in a broader automotive context.

Hole in one

VW gave us a teaser the night before, with a sighting lap in the dark. Five cars rolled onto the track, and the first thing I noticed was the softly lit VW logo on the GTI's grille. I find myself wondering this isn't just any car, but the legendary Golf GTI, finally here on Indian soil, fingers tracing the GTI's red grille stripe that harks back to the original 1976 Mk1 GTI. Modern and backlit, yes, but rooted in heritage. It felt a bit like meeting a childhood hero after years of stories and daydreams.

Classic tartan plaid seats nod to the original GTI, while 30-color ambient lighting bathes the cabin in red. The 10.25-inch digital cluster springs to life with a GTI logo and red-themed rev counter. Firing up the 2.0-liter TSI engine, I'm greeted with a restrained growl. The sound is restrained - civilised, even - but there's a hint of a snarl under the surface. Throttle blips reveal the engine's eagerness, waiting to be unleashed.