Volks Mart

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been around for quite a few years now, in fact it goes right back to the 1970s. Back then it was just about the coolest car on the road with huge amounts of street credibility and a must have for a large number of boy racers. If you are looking for a vintage GTI or used cars try searching online for a better deal than at garages.

Over the years there have been many changes to this model and nowadays this is less of a cult car and more of a family hatchback, but there is nothing staid about this car; it is still very hot.

The GT1 is now in its sixth incarnation and it is now powered by the excellent 2 litre TFSI turbocharged engine which delivers a punching 210 bhp. The performance is fairly similar to the mark 5 version, except that it has better acceleration at both lower revs and higher revs; a kind of extended sweet spot. In t4erms of acceleration, 0 to 60 time is 6.7 seconds and the top speed is 148 mph.

For the gearbox you can choose either a six speed manual or a dual-clutch steering wheel paddle semi-automatic, which really does give you almost instantaneous gear changes.

As you might anticipate, the handling is excellent though as the suspension is necessarily on the stiff side and a little lower than on previous versions your passengers might find it a bit bumpy when driving on uneven surfaces. If you are the kind of driver who really likes to toe it when accelerating hard out of corners, there is an XDS traction control system which will help keep your tyres in gripping contact with the road.

For the real enthusiast, there is the option of an adjustable suspension system called adaptive chassis control. In normal mode the car handles like a standard GTi, but hit sports mode and you are set to try out your abilities at rally driving.

Although this is a driver’s car, it is family friendly too. There is plenty of space inside; the car is quiet (at least when you are not hitting the red on the rev counter); air conditioning comes as standard; and there is plenty of space in the boot.

The Volkswagen campervan is an icon of the 1960s and many models in psychedelic livery were often to be seen being driven along the hippy trail. Of course the image of the VW campervan has changed much since those days, but it is kind of appropriate that the latest version of this vehicle is called the California.

The California Volkswagen California can seat and sleep up to four people. It has a pop-up roof sleeping space and can sleep two in the passenger section. And of course you get all that extra equipment that you would expect in a campervan such as a stove and a kitchen sink. There is even a compartment for a refrigerator unit. The living space also has double glazed windows and blackout curtains.

There is a huge amount of storage space for all your camping kit and your clothes. There is a large fresh water tank and a waste disposal tank and you can extend your living space with an awning that attaches to the tailgate where there are also two folding chairs.

The California is powered by a five-cylinder 2.5-litre TDI diesel engine which is available in two versions giving either 130 bhp or 174 bhp. The van comes with either two or four wheel drive and there are manual and automatic sex speed versions available. As you might expect this is not a power vehicle; it will take you around 16 seconds to reach 60; but once you get there cruising comfortable and peaceful. Air conditioning is standard and there are many little extras such as electric windows, sat nav, and cruise control.

If you enjoy driving a van, then you will enjoy driving the Volkswagen California. It has many safety features and has the excellent reliability associated with VW campers.

The Volkswagen campervan is of course a lifestyle vehicle and for many drivers it is their second car. If you like the outdoor life and the feeling of freedom that this type of vehicle promises, then this vehicle ticks all the boxes.