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Ashort while back there was a radio advert for Volkswagen's Golf GTI—a well-proven hot hatchback that's had a number of updates over the years to help keep its position at the top of the class.
The ad went something like: "What can be said about the Golf GTI that hasn't been said already?"
However, as the car press has pointed Mr, the GTI is no longer the all-conquering hatch it used to be. There are quite a few models around these days which are as good or better. A clear case of VW resting on its laurels?
We mention this point because had the Transporter van been substituted for the Golf GTI we'd be inclined to agree—in fact this familiarity can he quite a problem if you're trying to write a road test on one.
Despite being seven years old the Transporter has far more of a case for lying hack on its laurels and waiting for the opposi tion in this case Mercedes-Benz, Ford and the Sevel vans—m make their next move.
Since the Transporter an-ive.d Mercedes has launched the Vito: a competent vehicle which offers a similar spec to the Transporter for
more money but with no extra comfort or refinement. The Citroen/Peugeot/Fiat consortium has launched the DispatchlExpertiScudo based on multi-purpose vehicles (Mill's), but although they're refined, the price tag's a bit high considering their diminutive payload and load volume. Another Min: derivative, the Nissan Vanette Cargo, is good value but lacks refinement.
Despite its strong position VW has pressed ahead with further improvements (partly because of emissions regulations) and we've now got a new TI )1 engine with a five-speed manual gearbox. This impressed us on the launch; we wondered how it would handle the rigours of GM's Kent rest route?