The high-compression, 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine is very responsive. Especially impressive is its torque curve, which is much more of a broad plateau than anything with peaks and valleys. Maximum torque is available all the way from a mere 1800 rpm up to 5000, so you can putter comfortably around town in fourth or even fifth gear without having to overwork your right arm searching for the engine's sweet spot as you maneuver in city traffic. While the car operates on regular unleaded, premium fuel is recommended to achieve maximum power levels.

The engine is comfortable and the GTI's interior is surprisingly quiet at highway speeds. When you want to downshift for curves on mountain roads or to make a pass on a two-lane in the country, the clutch has a very light and easy pickup, the shifter has short and sure throws and the engine spins into gear immediately. On winding roads, we preferred the six-speed manual, which allowed us to feel truly connected to the car and to the road.

Even faster than manual manipulation, however, is the DSG, a manual gearbox with two clutches and an ability to shift at the speed not of your right hand but of electronics. We've driven the DSG in other VW Group vehicles, and it is a marvelous device, especially if you have a commute heavy with stop-and-inch-and stop-and-inch traffic.

The steering is quick and precise and the suspension is responsiveness. The GTI benefits from MacPherson struts in front and a four-link suspension in the rear. We found the response of even the all-season Continental tires to be up to enthusiast standards, though we think that serious enthusiasts will want to consider the larger 18-inch wheels and high-performance summer tires. Its 35.8-foot turning circle makes the GTI maneuverable in tight quarters.

Grasped by those red calipers, 12.28-inch ventilated front and 11.26-inch solid rear discs stop the GTI quickly and surely. The front brakes are an inch larger and the rears two inches larger than on the fourth-generation GTI. ABS comes standard, helping the driver maintiain steering control while braking. Brake Assist helps the driver maintain full braking pressure in an emergency stopping situation. Electronic brake-force distribution balances braking front to rear for quicker, more stable braking.

Even though nearly 60 percent of the car's 3308 pounds is supported by the front wheels, the GTI does not exhibit the tendency to understeer so prevalent in most front-wheel-drive cars. To help the driver keep the car on course, the GTI comes with electronic stability control as well as traction control.