2006 Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen's GTI is the Pontiac GTO of Europe. No, really. There's that famous commercial, for one, in which 1983 GTIs, the first ones sold in North America, are zipping around a racetrack with a soundtrack of Germans singing "Klein GTI" to the tune of Ronnie and the Daytonas's "Little GTO." Then there's the whole idea of the car, to turn an inexpensive Rabbit or Golf into a nearly-as-inexpensive pocket-rocket. The resulting car launched its own segment. Just like GTO quickly led to 442 and then to cars like the Road Runner and Cyclone GT, GTI led to CRX, FX16 and Colt turbo. And just like the Ventura-based 1974 GTO, the GTI lost its way, becoming trim options on fat-looking little cars.

Well, the real GTI is back, plaid-cloth seats and all. It'll be the first Golf model North America gets in early 2006, several months before VW imports a standard Gen V Golf hatchback here, but three-quarters of a year behind the all-new Jetta. The GTI will come here only as a three-door hatchback, while the standard Golf probably will be available only as a five-door--both the Golf and the GTI are sold in Europe as three- and five-door models. And the GTI will be sold everywhere with just one engine, a smooth new 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter FSI ("fuel stratified charge," VW's name for gas direct injection) turbo four-cylinder engine. It replaces the 1.8-liter turbo in VW/Audi's lineup, having launched in the new Audi A3. VW plans to play with the turbocharger and other hardware to tweak future special-edition GTIs to reach at least 240 horses. And the next R32 won't get the new VW 3.6-liter VR6, but will stick with the 3.2 VR6, probably with twin turbos to sneak it past 300 horses and make it the ultimate step up from a GTI.

The 2006 GTI comes with a choice of two transmissions, a traditional six-speed manual that's as smooth-shifting as anything ever offered by The People's Car, or the excellent six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox sequential manual that first appeared in the U.S. in the 3.2-liter Audi TT. And the new car will be nicely priced (in the low-$20s, VW promises) in the spirit of the original Rabbit-based GTI. Options will include the DSG, leather interior replacing the heated plaid-cloth seats, a sunroof, and a navigation system, but not much else. The automaker provided only plaid-cloth, six-speed fully manual red cars with nav systems for the first drive. It's an impressive car.

While 200 horsepower is entry-level these days for a decent pocket-rocket, in this light, lithe and sleek hatchback, it feels like the right number, making for a well-balanced car. You can throw the car into a tight turn, downshift to second, and get even, strong power from the turbo four, with virtually no lag and with a crisp, rorty exhaust note that could be a tad louder. It's uncanny how smooth this turbo engine is, certainly the smoothest four-cylinder of its kind. VW estimates a 7.2-second 0-to-62-mph time, and it feels a bit quicker. But, like the original 110-horsepower GTI launched in Europe in 1976, the car isn't all about power; it's about graceful use of power. Think of that first GTI versus a big sled of a 1964 GTO, and you'll understand. The GTI will make you feel good about turning and braking as well as going straight, where the VW shows its European bias--estimated top-speed is about 146 mph.