Volkswagen Philippines held recently the “Volkswagen Driving Experience” for its Golf GTI owners and potential customers at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
The track day, held in partnership with dealers Volkswagen Bonifacio Global City and Quezon Avenue, provided an exciting venue and occasion for Golf GTI owners to experience for themselves the performance, handling, and ride capabilities of their own Golf GTI units, which has been widely considered the German marque’s “ultimate sports car.”
Apart from offering owners the chance to push their GTI to its limits in a safe, secure, international-standard raceway, Volkswagen Philippines also gave would-be buyers the chance to test drive a Golf GTI unit and a Golf GTI with Oettinger Kit and ABT Power-up Module.
On the track, the 7th generation “ultimate sportsman” of the Volkswagen sports car family showed all participants how a 2.0-liter turbocharged stratified injection (TSI) engine mated to a 6-speed dual shift gear (DSG) transmission feels like when all 220 Ps of power and 350 Nm of torque are let loose.
The numerous twists and turns of the speedway also highlighted the Golf GTI’s exceptional sports suspension, enhanced by the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) with XDS plus technology, and engine drag torque control. Braking safety was assured with the 16-inch front ventilated and rear disc brakes with red brake calipers.
The multi-awarded Golf GTI also proved that “true style and performance” are the hallmarks of the model, as the GTI roared up and down the track in its signature exterior package of 18-inch Austin alloy wheels, sporty bumpers, grille, LED tail lamps, sporty spoiler, dual tailpipes, Bi-Xenon headlamps with daytime running lamps (DRL) and dynamic headlamp control.
The Golf GTI with Oettinger Kit and ABT Power-Up Module, on the other hand, made the Golf GTI look and feel even more at home on the race track, with its Oettinger Aerodynamic package that includes the addition of a two-piece front spoiler with a splitter, side skirts and a rear apron insert with diffuser. The ABT Power-Up Module, coupled with petrol provided by official fuel partner Shell, gave test-drivers a taste of the 32-percent increase in power and 20-percent increase in torque (from 220 Ps to 290 Ps and 350 Nm to 420 Nm, respectively), making the Golf GTI capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in 5.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 254 kph.
Not all Golf GTI units that attracted attention were on the track. A Golf GTI with ABT package on display highlighted exterior enhancements, such as head lamp cover, front grille and front spoiler, side skirts, FR20-Sport Alloy Wheel Set with 235/30 R20 tires set, a rear skirt set (with rear diffuser and quad tailpipe), and rear muffler mounting kit.
The test drive sessions were organized and safely conducted before lunch and late in the afternoon, with proper briefing sessions held at the Shell Suite and Shell Garage.
The Oettinger Kit and ABT package are dealer options, and do not affect applicable warranties on the Golf GTI units fitted with them.
Test drives of Volkswagen’s model lineup of the Beetle Club Edition, Passat mid-sized premium sedan, Tiguan compact SUV, Touran MPV, Jetta sedan, and the Golf GTS were held simultaneously outside the track and around the Clark Freeport Zone, in which the event’s official hotel partner Quest Hotel is also located.
More than just a track day, the “Volkswagen Driving Experience” highlights the many lifestyle possibilities of owning an iconic Volkswagen sports car, and the fellowship enjoyed by Golf GTI owners across various communities. The Golf GTI is more than the “ultimate sports car,” because with Volkswagen, It’s More Than Just a Car.
For more details on the Golf GTI, and to arrange a test drive, log on to www.volkswagen.com.ph, or visit any of the eight dealerships located at: Volkswagen BGC at 938 28th Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; Volkswagen Quezon Avenue at 1229 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; Volkswagen Alabang at Unit 4 Molito Lifestyle Building, Commerce corner Madrigal Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Volkswagen Greenfield District Service Center at 833 Sheridan Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City; Volkswagen Pampanga at McArthur Highway, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Volkswagen Cebu at A. Soriano Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City; Volkswagen Iloilo (upper ground level of SM Iloilo along Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue), and Volkswagen Bacolod (along Araneta Street, Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental).
