SHOOT-OUT | 2021 VW Golf GTI vs BMW 128ti

The BMW 128ti was created as a direct rival to the iconic Golf GTI. Picture: DENIS DROPPA

Then there’s the new BMW 128ti, the latest interloper in the GTI’s hallowed turf. It’s a 1-Series hatch with M Sport suspension, a shot of styling swagger, and a badge resurrected from the Bavarian carmaker’s sporting past. Though not as readily recognisable as the GTI moniker, “Turismo Internazionale” has heritage, as it was used on sporting Beemers since the 1960s including the well-known 2002 TI, and most recently on the BMW 325ti Compact of the late 1990s.

Inside is where things get complicated. Existing VW owners will find nothing familiar in the interior interfaces of the new Golf GTI, which fully embraces the digital era with a cabin almost entirely bereft of buttons. Infotainment functions are accessed on an impressive-looking touchscreen and both it and the digital instrument panel have personalisable, colour-changing displays.

Also, the trusted audio volume knob is consigned to history in the Golf; in its place are digital sliders which take some getting used to. The BMW also has a little more rear legroom on its longer wheelbase , although both cars comfortably accommodate four adults. There’s little to differentiate the two rivals when lifting their bonnets: both have four-cylinder, 2.0petrol turbo engines pushing out an identical 180kW of power. The BMW has 10Nm more torque but largely negates the advantage by weighing 57kg more.

The BMW is edgier, and more likely to get the tail dancing in a mid-corner throttle lift. It also has slightly more torque steer and squeals its front tyres more, although the latter fortunately doesn’t cause any fun-sapping early understeer. Like the Golf, the BMW has a limited-slip differential that keeps the nose hugging the apexes and allows the throttle to be thrust early out of corners.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Two Free State studentd shot dead, two critically wounded in Botjhabela attackThree gunmen accosted the student in the early hours of Wednesday, demanding money, cellphones and laptops.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

Two UFS students killed, two others injured in attackOne UFS student died and two are in critical condition in hospital. MalapsNthabi _melaninnei No outrage. Just another crime. It is high time to support parties which will bring death penalty back. There are criminals roaming with guns. If nothing is done, this behaviour will be difficult to deal with in the future. One who plan to kill or kill whilst robbing must be killed.
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »

WATCH: Mayor Nqaba Bhanga opens up about fatal crash that claimed the lives of two peopleHe thanks God and nurses for saving his life, saying accident provided him an opportunity to self reflect I hope blood alcohol samples were taken Mr Mayor I’m proud to say I’m among the people benefiting from trading bitcoins with Brandonkaren11, I’m proud because I’ve gained more than I expected. I will be forever grateful to her Funny how people panned him for his accident but not the Mayor of JHB for his. Double standards are so rife in our streets.
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

SA's inflation rate up after two months of decreasingThe increase in the inflation rate mirrors the experience of consumers who have found that they are spending more than they used to.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

Amnesty demands two billion COVID jabs for poorer countriesMost people in the rich countries have been inoculated, but parts of Latin America, Africa and Asia have plunged into renewed crises with 'tens of thousands of preventable deaths every week,' Amnesty said.
Source: ewnupdates - 🏆 30. / 53 Read more »

World of Motorcycles a new dawn for local two wheel racingNew series aim to reduce costs and ensure closing racing without a barrage of restrictions.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »