Road test: why the VW Golf GTI Mk8 is the hottest hatch yet


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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

After the madness of 2020, things are looking like they’re slowly returning to normal again. Formula One is back on the TV, people are slowly but carefully mingling once more at old coffee haunts and Volkswagen has a new Golf GTI.

The launch of the eighth-generation GTI is like comfort food for the hot-hatch soul. With more than 2.3 million sold since 1976, it's the one constant in the auto world and the boxy little front-wheel drive hatch with the red stripe across its nose is back again, just in time for Ramadan.

Lighter to the touch

Even though it’s a new car, somehow Volkswagen makes you feel that it’s always an evolution with subtle tweaks. Like an old friend back from a holiday with a new haircut, the Mk8 is sharper and cleaner, but still the loveable rogue you remember.

The difference now is that the GTI has no lesser-specced buddies to share the showroom with, as VW Middle East has dropped the other Golfs from the range to focus on SUVs, namely the Touareg, Teramont, Tiguan and the new T-Roc. The lone exception will be the top-shelf Golf R arriving late in the year for those who need their all-wheel drive fix.

So while the basics are taken from the Mk7, including the same MQB platform, under its new panels, the suspension and powertrain have been tweaked and the nose feels more direct thanks to an aluminium front subframe lighter by three kilograms, and a lighter rear subframe taken from the previous Clubsport S.

Revamped interior and exterior features

The cabin houses a new infotainment system and a digital dash.
The cabin houses a new infotainment system and a digital dash.

The interior is, however, completely revamped with a new infotainment system, improved connectivity and a full digital dash that creates a minimalist environment. It looks great, but it takes time work out how to dive through sub-menus to find what used to be a button on the console. For instance, there’s no volume knob, but instead a sliding capacitive function that gets sensitive to sweaty or greasy fingers.

Sadly, the familiar dimpled golf-ball-like shifter of the manual didn’t make the cut and instead the new GTI features a stubby shifter similar to the new Porsche 911 to select Park, Forward or Reverse from the standard, seven-speed DSG auto, which is then operated via paddles behind the wheel.

The reality is that we love manuals and talk about them fondly, but no one buys them, so the DSG is for everyone.

Like its predecessors, the new GTI wears tartan on the seats and sports red accents throughout the cabin, while there’s a modern twist to the traditional red stripe across the grille that is now emphasised by a full-width LED light.

The new GTI also has a large roof spoiler, bespoke 18-inch wheels, a wraparound front splitter, a black full-width honeycomb lower air intake that houses distinctive five-spot foglamps, LED matrix headlights, subtle sill extensions, a rear diffuser and twin exhausts.

Power play

Power comes from the same 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Mk7 Performance model that develops 242bhp, but adds an electronic limited-slip diff and larger brakes to cancel out some of the torque steer of earlier versions.

Arguably the biggest innovation in the new GTI is the Driving Dynamics Manager, which integrates the various stability programmes with the electronic diff. After a few laps on track, it was clearly evident in comparison to previous GTIs as it transferred power smoothly across the drive wheels.

Through tight turns, power is transmitted to the outer front wheel in order to reduce the turn-in radius and eliminate understeer, while at the same time easing power off the inside front wheel to tuck the nose in tighter and keep it on line. Expect no more plumes of tyre smoke from the inside front wheel on tight turns.

At the same time, Dynamic Chassis Control speeds up the steering response and suppresses body roll and compression, adjusting damper stiffness up to 200 times every second. Consequently, despite its 15 per cent stiffer rear and five per cent firmer front spring rates, it gives the impression of a smooth weekend drive as you barrel it through a tight set of chicanes.

Priced from Dh136,814 and Dh157,219 with the cosmetic and interior option pack, the Golf GTI remains a value performance pack with a top speed limited to 250kph and gets to 100kph in 5.9 seconds. Though with this car, as always, it’s all about how it uses those numbers to keep it an exciting and rewarding drive.

New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)

British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell 
 

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

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House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, Group C
Liverpool v Red Star Belgrade
Anfield, Liverpool
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Results

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)

5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

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NBA FINALS SO FAR

(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106

Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland

Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8

Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Price: from Dh850,000

On sale: now

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

Scores in brief:

Day 1

New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38

Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)

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EXPATS
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814