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W2 TheBannernheEm WHEELS Thursday Feb Golf still a top contender in hot hatch market STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROB METROLAND NEWSPAPERS CARCU1DE MAGAZINE Nor be labeled i It was a sound better described as a sort of baritone moan reverberating through the floorboards and singing out of the rear dual exhausts as I stomped the pedal flat to the floor and launched the VW Golf GTI towards the on ramp I was barely two out of Volkswagens parking lot hi stopped at a gas station to top off the tank for a fuel economy test and got a coffee for the ride home But before the monotony of the long rib straight stretch of freeway it was hard to resist the cheap thrill of a spiraling After the initial launch into the turn 1 let up on the gas a little as the curve began to bite trying to hold my speed as the lateral snugged me deep into the seat and side Yup this was a decreasing radius ramp just as I remembered but my faith in the four con tact patches was growing as the turn tightened even though the GTI was dressed for winter in Pirelli tires The wheels stayed sticky gripping the cold The Volkswagen Golf GTI as tested here a threedoor modern evolution of the hot hatch in Tornado red with optional 1 8inch wheels combining 200 pocketrocket per formance with the friendly functionality of a versatile hatchback road and I was on the gas as soon as the ramp straightened easily up to high way speed before being spit into the collector lanes Hmm a red GTI I started wondering if this was the same car 1 had flogged around the racetrack at the Car of the Year compe tition The cop two lanes over was probably wondering the same thing Id spotted the police cruiser during my approach and had managed to cur tail my takeoff speed to something resembling the legal limit I eased off the gas slipped into the right hand lane and tried to look innocent hard to do in sporty hatch as scarlet at sin The GTIs pugnacious persona and offthewall wheels didnt help much either But somehow I got away with it The cop paced me and we pretended to ignore each other for a few kilometers until he ramped off in search of more promising prey Whew Its hard to stay out of that race track state of mind in a car like the 2010 VW GTI Which is probably why Volkswagen Canada launched it at the legendary Circuit racetrack north of Montreal last fait The new Golf is an icon of spottiness John White President and CEO of Volkswagen Group Canada said at the time From styling that pays homage to its roots in the Mark I to its advanced technologies all the way to its solid performance this gen eration model represents the ultimate Pocket Rocket for all generations of GTI enthusi asts The GTI is the performance complement to the Golf lineup It comes in either a threedoor or configuration and the new 2010 Golf echoes styling cues that have evolved from the original 1976 European Mark I and the Mark II version that first crossed the pond to Canada in And somehow after setting the hot hatch benchmark the Golf GTI has maintained the spirit and intent of that original Euro- inspired combination of performance and hatchback functionality The changes for 2010 are subtle but numer ous This latest version has new bumpers new lights thicker windows better sealing a more streamlined design and other tweaks in character and content both inside and out Two distinct red stripes across the black honeycomb grille separate the GTI from the rest of the Golf herd and they especially Plea page W6 Supercross event to support childrens hospitals On March at the Rogers Cen tre Supercross fans will be thrilled by the action at Monster Energy Supercross an World Champi onship The event is in support of chil drens hospitals and this season MX for Childrens fundraising activities are scheduled for the Toronto 1 lous- and Seattle rounds of the 2010 schedule One hundred per cent of MX for Childrens pledge drive funds go to supporting research for treat ing hydrocephalus the number one cause of brain surgery for children These efforts help improve the lives of kids that must endure multiple brain surgeries to live Were entering into our fifth year of and we are super- pumped to once again be able to partner with Monster Energy Super- cross said Paul Gross founder of MX for Children Weve got a lot of fans already raising hinds in our event cities and we look for ward to raising the fundraising bar once again to help out our cause Its pretty cool that MX for Chil dren raises money for such a good cause said Ryan I can see all the hard work they put In every time 1 meet at the race they are always a dedicated group and always big dirt bike fans In years past the biggest stars of the sport like Chad Heed lames Stewart and Ricky Carmichael have participated with MX for Children and their fundraising program the Inside Line Experience Eor that trend will continue as the Monster Energy Kawasaki Honda Red Bull Racing Monster EnergyPro CircuitKawasaki and Shred Rac ing Yamaha teams will take pan in the three events Visit httpwwwmxforchildren to learn about online donations and how to participate in the ILE events A seasonlong subscription to the official webcast of Monster Energy Supercross SupercrossUVE is avail able for crossonlinecomsupercrosslive For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross visit www SupercrossOnlinecom Newmarket Aurora Toyota are Dedicated to making things right With the recall solution in full operation were working to regain your confidence Hurry offer ends March 1st No security deposit on leases Everything you want in a price Introducing the Ontario Toyota Dealers Allin Pricing Includes freight and fees You simply add the taxes and licensing and its yours Simple Just another way Toyota makes you smile TOY A 1171 Davis Dr enter via Harry Walker Pkwy Newmarket 9059532890 669 Wellington St Aurora 9057271948