The undisputed champion of all hot hatchbacks is making its way to the American market for 2010, where most of people still don’t get the appeal of a fast small car mainly because they are too fat and can’t get into them! With its 200 hp, the GTI might not be the fastest, the most beautiful or the most affordable hot hatch out there, but it has one big advantage over all of its opponents, it’s a Golf!

Golf GTI is easy noticeable over regular Golfs thanks to its sporty styling cues some of which derived from the original MK-I GTI. The car sits lower than standard, has low profile sport tires wrapped around 17-inch (18-inch optional) light alloys. It also features sport bumpers with big air intake and a spoiler at front, and a big rear diffuser at the back along with a pair of chrome tailpipes.

Inside the car is also upgraded with a well sporty soul! You get sport steering wheel, aluminum decoration, Heavily bolstered front seats that are wrapped in patterned sport fabric with red and white doublestitching throughout and come standard with eight-way manual adjustment, adjustable lumbar support and head restraints. They are also heated. GTI also has no shortage of equipments and fancy safety technologies.

2010 GTI comes with standard with a collection of safety features and enhancements, including a three channel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Anti-slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Engine Braking Assist (EBA), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP®). Like all 2009 model year Volkswagens ESP comes standard on all 2010 model year vehicles, ahead of the U.S. government’s mandate that by 2012, all vehicles produced will need to have some form of Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Producing 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from 1,800 all the way up to 5,000 rpm, the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s 2.0-liter engine is prepared to take to the road with force. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the Volkswagen Golf GTI can go from a zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and on to an electronically limited 130 mph top speed. Power delivery remains smooth and direct across the rpm range, allowing for a swift, 7.5 second run from 37 to 62 mph in fifth gear, and finishes with a redline of 6,500 rpm. In terms of fuel economy, the 2.0T engine and six-speed manual transmission deliver an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg in city driving.

The 2010 GTI comes standard with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first), plus the following new vehicle warranties:

• Five-year / 60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
• Three-year / 36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Warranty
• 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation

You might criticize the GTI for being underpowered in comparison to the other hot hatches in the market, but remember it’s how you use the power that matters the most. And Golf GTI use its power in the most efficient way! After all a hot hatchback is supposed to do everything well, not just one thing, GTI is a great example of a brilliant all-rounder.