Driving in Australia
Award Winning Wine: The Golf GTi
The timing of things can be fortuitous sometimes; I was fortunate to have the Volkswagen Golf 103 Highline in the driveway when Wheels magazine announced the Golf as recipient of their prestigious Car Of The Year award. The week prior I had the presence of the top of the range GTi, so, like any smart person, a drive to the Hunter Valley was called for, to sample fine wine in liquid and four wheeled form.
The roads chosen were windy, twisty, varying in elevation, the ideal test for such a vaunted chariot. Starting from the lower Blue Mountains directly west of Sydney, north through Penrith and Windsor and through to the delightful Wisemans Ferry, to the joy of the two younger occupants of the GTi. From here the nose went east then snaked north, paralleling the freeway before coming to a right hander at Wollombi before nor’easting to Cessnock, southern gateway to the Hunter Valley.
The GTi is powered and that’s definitely the appropriate word, by a firebreathing 2.0L turbo petrol engine. With 162kW on offer there’s plenty of upper end however there’s an astonishing 350 Newton metres of torque from as low as 1500rpm. Coupled to VW’s six speed DSG (direct shift gearbox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-Shift_Gearbox) it’s enough to launch the 1300 odd kilo hatch to 100 km/h in a handy 6.5 seconds (claimed). Given some welly it’s a shove in the back as the gearbox ratchets its way through with barely a feel of change whilst the dual exhaust emits a snarly pop on the upshift. It’s immensely flexible and incredibly linear in its delivery, thanks to some tricky engineering like the TSI system (http://www.volkswagen.com.au/en/technology_and_service/technical-glossary/tsi-engine.html dual fuel injection (cylinder and inlet port), friction reduced internals and variable valve timing. Somewhat surprising is the lack of torque steer through the front driven wheels; it’s simply unnoticed if there was any, possibly due to the torque vectoring system fitted. Gears can be selected via both the lever and the finely finished paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
The Golf GTi comes with switchable suspension settings (think Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Shiraz), 
ranging from Comfort through Normal and Sport to personalised settings, which remained untouched during A Wheel Thing’s tenure. Due to the abysmal road surfaces on much of the trip, Comfort was selected which did its best to absorb most of the lumps. Normal firmed up the response whilst Sport went harder and, sometimes, was the better pick for the unevenness. The GTi sits flat in turns at speed but, on the most unsettled surfaces, still managed to crash through to the bumpstops although there was no ongoing rebound or wallowing. Around town in Cessnock, the GTi is mild mannered, well behaved, docile, showing no signs of the demon that lurks under its shapely bonnet. The table top flat torque (available past 3500rpm) eases the Golf around with no fuss, with the 
stop/start system (normal key ignition, not press button) kicking in when the brake pedal is depressed far enough; a light lift of the foot keeps the brake on but restarts the engine. Being a dual clutch transmission, there’s some hesitancy, a delay when moving from reverse back to first and some indecisiveness on light throttle. Combined with the Normal suspension it makes for an exhilarating drive. Then there’s the pin point steering, responsive to the mildest touch and with a progressive feel lock to lock, entered via a solid, chunky yet tactile, flat bottomed tiller.
The seventh generation Golf is much like its cousin, the 911, stamped definably with DNA traceable 
to the very first of its kind. Five door hatchback, wheels pushed to the corners, solid C pillar, shortish bonnet and decent glasshouse have been design hallmarks of the Golf since its release in the mid 1970s. This model is an evolution of the previous, with subtle changes to the nose, headlights and rear lights. Colour plays a big part in how a car looks and the GTi provided came in a glossy fire engine red, complete with black plastic highlights and LED daylight running lights (DRL). It certainly looked the part, especially with the five spoke “pick axe” style alloys, clad in grippy 225/45/18 tyres. Punted 
through corners on flat surfaces, the Golf is superglued velcro, the suspension working to keep the car flat, the steering responding almost as if though thought was being transmitted via the driver’s brain, the engine delivering when asked and the exhaust barking
in response. On the back roads in the wine country, it’s a tantalising, almost sensual experience.
Of somewhat questionable flair is the tartan seat covering; contrasting vividly against the varying shades of black in the interior, it’s a bright if somewhat unusual choice of fabric for the sporty and comfortable seats. Being a smallish car overall, rear leg legroom is immediately compromised. Thankfully for the smaller occupants, their father isn’t eleventy feet tall but there still was noticeable shoving in the back. The dash itself is elegant yet simple; a lovely touch that harkens back to analogue screens is the rolling number 
change for distance covered rather than the traditional instant change plus also offers compass direction. The dials have a classic look, simple black on white with a chrome ring lending class whilst framing a screen with an efficient colour graphic 
depicting the vehicle itself. Climate control aircon, a small yet clearly legible monochrome touchscreen with a presence sensing feature, colour map display (with a voice readout that was sometimes out by 300 metres) that worked on a pinch and pull zoom basis plus showed your road location on the radio screen, bluetooth, rear parking camera and heated seats complete the picture. Of note was the fuel gauge; it barely moved as in there was no movement until the 180km mark, then suddenly a quarter of the 50 litre tank was shown to have been used….that’s not entirely inspiring. 
A note on that gauge; it’s broken into fifteen segments, rather than a standard four or even eight. Economy averaged around 9L/100km over the week. Rear cargo space is reasonable, holding a decent week’s worth of shopping, a 60/40 split fold rear plus ski ported rer seat setup plus there’s a full sized spare (steel) wheel under cover. The boot opens via the prominent VW badge. Safety wise there’s airbags aplenty, electric parking brake and hill start assist, collision sensing braking and more.
The Golf GTi is like a fine red wine that’s been cellared; subtle yet powerful, improving over time from a good if somewhat rough base, to a well honed and thoroughly enjoyable experience. The sediment particles left over are the downsides of the GTi, unavoidable to a point but are there none the less. From a tick under Au$42k for the manual and $44k (plus on roads, check your local dealer) for the DSG auto, it may seem pricey to some, but when you factor in the sheer useability as an overall package, especially if purchased to be used by one or two people that enjoy what the driving experience is all about including that slingshot like acceleration and go kart handling, it’s a small price to pay for an awarding winning car. There’s a three year and unlimited kilometre warranty, capped price servicing to go with the twelve month/15000k service intervals to sweeten the deal.
More details can be found here: http://www.volkswagen.com.au/en/models/golf/highlights.html
5 Ways to Look After Yourself on the Roads this New Year's Eve
As Dave has already mentioned in his post about making sure you keep aware of driving safety this Christmas, I thought I would echo this by reiterating the issue of drinking and driving this New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve is a joyous time – we all have our own hopes, ambitions and dreams for the coming year – but it must also be borne in mind that some people have these hopes and ambitions taken away from them in the most unfair and brutal way. It doesn’t need me to tell you, but it pays to be safe on the roads this New Year’s Eve. Here are 5 ways to can make sure you stay safe.
Designate a Driver
This is an obvious one and many people hammer home the importance of this – but I’m going to say it again anyway…make sure if you’re going to somewhere you need to drive to someone drives and doesn’t drink! You’ll have to go some to repay a favour…but even paying to hire in a private driver beats the possible outcomes at the end of the night if you do get in the car after drinking
Take a Taxi
Of course between a fair few of you, taking a taxi is the easiest option and often works out far cheaper than driving. Everywhere in Australia has a fantastic array of taxi companies but they’ll be busy over New Year…make sure you book one NOW!
Don’t be Distracted
There are lots of ways to be distracted while driving during the festive season, but New Year’s is an especially exciting time in which it’s easy to be caught up the party atmosphere. If you do have to drive, be aware of others and their associated sense of inebriation.
WALK!
Although here at Private Fleet we’ll always fly the flag for car ownership, if you’re going somewhere closeby why don’t you just walk? Staggering home in the early hours of the morning is far preferable to staggering to a car….
Drive a Roadworthy Car
Don’t be the one during the New Year who gets in a second rate, and frankly downright dangerous car, and think ‘I’m not going far, it’ll be okay!’ Bear in mind that police presence is always at a heightened state during Christmas, and with more people on the roads you need to be in a car you’re comfortable driving. Check your lights, tyres and other associated safety items. the New Year is not a time you want to be called up and fined for something easily fixable. For more information on this, check out our post on easy ways to keep your car safe and retain your certificate of roadworthiness
From everyone here, we all hope you have a fantastic festive season and a wonderful New Year. Please, be safe on the roads and sensible in your travelling endeavours. Be sober, be sensible and don’t be distracted. Many people know the sadness of losing a family member this time of year. Don’t be a statistic.
For more information about the world of driving, check out other posts on this blog or contact us if you’re looking to upgrade your car in 2014!
Christmas Wishes
I’m sure my fellow bloggers will add their own wishes for Private Fleet members and their loved ones; for me it’s been an honour to have been asked to part of the Private Fleet family. Coming from a background of service, sales and the automotive field, it seems an ideal fit to be able to contribute and I thank all of you for your affirmation of that.
Although Christmas is meant to be a time of happiness and cheers,it’s all too easy for it to be a time of hurt and tragedy on the roads. The police and governments quite rightly sometimes cop a backhander for their apparent heavy handed approach to road safety, however it is a situation where every day needless events on our roads result in lifelong sadness for families. For those that are intending to do a drive over the next few days, please be the one that is sober. Please be the one that is driving a roadworthy car. Please be the one that DOESN’T have your mp3 player’s headphones in your ears. Please be the one that observes the speed limits and with areas that have had some rain, plan ahead by checking the forecast and drive to the conditions. Please be the one that brings their family to loved ones safely and return them home.
On behalf of the management, staff and all associated with Private Fleet, from my family to yours, a very Merry Christmas.
Dave Conole
Why Australian Love Cars
There’s no denying it – Australians love cars and travel. As a population, we are engaging with personal transport in a way seldom seen in any other part of the world in the last half a century. It’s defining the way we live, and it’s also transforming how we work and play in parts of the world deeply suited to jumping headfirst into one of the best road trips of your life…
There is a certain sense of history about it – Australia’s road network has inevitably been borne out of its sheer size. It caters to personal transport and the car like nowhere else – US style highways look like country lanes in comparison to the roads you’d be able to find out here…and the population density in some areas is so low even in the towns that a subsidised public transport system physically wouldn’t be viable.
According to this article in the Guardian, there are 53% more cars in Sydney alone than there were in 1976. Often, in large cities the establishment would rather build more roads than they would railways or bus lanes.
You see, the Australian’s sense of freedom is why the car is so entrenched. Personal freedom – the freedom of where to travel, when to go and how to get there – it’s quite fairly deep-rooted into the psyche, and naturally, the car seems the only sensible option. There is a sense of indulgence, and honestly, when you are surrounded with so much space, what else would you want to do but put your foot down?
I’m sure this is familiar, but just to impress the point as to how much we like our cars follow this link
The car industry in Australia might be in a state of flux, but the popularity of the racing scene here and the speed at which people are taking to the road is increasing every year. There is no doubt the car will continue to build on Australia’s foundations, and offer an increasing amount of variety and options of where to travel for locals and visitors alike. As Oliver Milman says, the bracing liberation and the cult of the car is deeply entrenched.
For more information about and car ownership, contact us today.
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