One of the most famous roads in the world is Germany’s Autobahn. Designed and constructed over 80 years ago, this federally funded highway system links most of Germany’s major cities, not unlike the Interstate Highway System here in the United States (which was partially inspired by the Autobahn). The German band Kraftwerk, members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, dedicated an entire album to the Autobahn in 1974, the same year that Volkswagen introduced the Golf compact hatchback to the world. Now let’s take a look at where the road has led us, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn Edition.
Designed to provide a safe, economical family car, the Volkswagen Golf quickly became one of the most popular models in this automaker’s lineup. In 1976, the designers at Volkswagen introduced the Golf GTI, a performance model of the popular compact hatchback with the ability to take advantage of superhighways like the Autobahn. The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the latest version of this model that has carved a path as one of the top performance hatchbacks on the road today. The 2022 model introduces the eighth generation of the Golf GTI, and it comes in three different trims, with the Autobahn name appropriately representing the top trim. What else would you expect from a car that has been designed to meet and exceed the challenges of its homeland’s most famous roads?
Power and Speed to Give You Top Performance
The 2022 Golf GTI comes with a standard 2.0-liter TSI 16-valve DOHC turbocharged I-4 gas engine. This utilizes an intercooler to maintain engine temperatures while producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This represents an improvement in both torque and horsepower over the prior generation model. The 2022 GTI uses torque vectoring to boost overall performance.
You also get a choice of either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The automatic will give you slightly better fuel efficiency, while the manual provides better overall control over your engine’s performance. However, the dual-clutch does come with paddle shifters for manual control.
The 2022 Golf GTI rides on 18-inch wheels fitted with Bridgestone Potenza summer performance tires, but 19-inch wheels are available as an optional feature. These will boost the GTI’s performance, creating a more direct feel and sharper handling. As a result, the Autobahn trim can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
DCC Adaptive Chassis Control
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI features independent suspension with front MacPherson struts and rear fully independent 4-link suspension. Another reason to choose the Autobahn trim on the Golf GTI is the DCC adaptive chassis control, which improves the function of this suspension system. This is an automatically controlled system to constantly adjust the Golf GTI’s shock absorbers depending on driving conditions and road surface. This will give you a smoother ride overall while reducing body roll. In addition, the system will provide steering assistance and brake damping by linking the suspension with other vehicle functions to give you improved handling.
The DCC adaptive chassis control has three different modes. Normal mode is for everyday driving, providing the best fuel economy. Sport mode will give a stiffer overall ride, improving speed, acceleration, and performance. Comfort mode provides softer chassis damping and is ideal for long rides or when driving on less than optimal pavement.
Additional Performance Features
The 2022 Golf GTI Autobahn comes with vented front and rear brake rotors with red calipers featuring the GTI logo. Not only do these add to the sporty looks of the GTI, but they also improve braking function on the Autobahn model. This helps the GTI come to a complete stop from 70 miles per hour in a very respectable 151 feet. Traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour requires 311 feet to come to a complete stop.
There is an electromechanical progressive power steering system that will give you greater responsiveness when driving your Golf GTI Autobahn. In addition, the VAQ limited-slip front differential lock on the GTI Autobahn will also give you better road handling, especially on the straightaways.
Standard Driver-Assistance Technologies
Volkswagen has equipped the 2022 Golf GTI with a whole host of standard safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Here are just a few that you will find that can come in handy when you’re out on the road.
One problem folks encounter when driving is when they are tired after a day at work. Fatigue may kick in, causing you to drift out of your lane. Lane departure warning with lane keep assist will help keep this from happening. This is especially helpful when you are on the highway since the system will send out an alarm and use slight steering adjustments to keep you in lane if you haven’t signaled to change lanes.
Adaptive cruise control will help reduce fatigue, especially on long drives. The system allows you to set a speed at which you’d like to drive your Golf GTI. If a slower-moving car gets into your path, the cruise control will slow you down until that car exits. The system will then return to the speed that you set.
One of the best standard safety features on the 2022 Golf GTI is automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. If the system detects that you may collide with a pedestrian or another vehicle in your path, it will automatically engage the brakes on your Golf GTI. This will either help you avoid a collision altogether or reduce the damage from such an impact.
A Sportier Interior With Improved Technology
Volkswagen has opted for a more cutting-edge look inside the latest version of the Golf GTI. The plaid upholstery remains from prior GTI models, but the Autobahn adds leather seats, leather steering wheel, and leather gearshift knob. The front row seats feature bolsters to improve the comfort for you and the other front-seat passengers, while the rear seat is a very comfortable 60/40 bench design. This will make lowering the rear seats easier to increase the trunk space provided by the Golf GTI”s hatchback. As it is, you will get a solid 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space on the GTI, which can be increased to 25 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats.
The cockpit on the 2022 Golf GTI has undergone a great improvement with two dual screens in a more modern style. The 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster to the left will give you important vehicle information that is right in your sightline. To the right is the infotainment system with a 10.3-inch touchscreen. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is contoured for a more comfortable feel, with plenty of controls allowing you to access the functions on the infotainment system without having to take your hands off the wheel.
The infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. In addition, the Golf GTI Autobahn comes with a Fender premium audio system. Most famous for making guitars played by such greats as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, Fender is also a pioneer in audio equipment, providing a top sound system on the GTI Autobahn. Whether or not you want to listen to all 22 minutes and 43 seconds of Kraftwerk’s Autobahn is up to you. You can always choose to instead surf through all the channels offered on the SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a 3-month complimentary subscription to which is included with the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn.
The Perfect Performance Hatchback for Any Road
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn is a performance hatchback that is ideal for any road, not just the one for which it is named. From an improved engine with new performance features to exceptional driver assistance technology and an infotainment system with a Fender premium stereo, the Autobahn model represents the most advanced Golf built by Volkswagen – at least until the long-awaited Golf R arrives later this year.
