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The Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch Review

Did you guys like that Grand Tour trailer where The Ben Collins drove the Corvette and the 911 Turbo? It was fake, but this isn't. Right now, the former Stig is employed by Goodwood Road & Racing, and he just did a fantastic review of all seven generations of the Golf GTI... six, actually.
The Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch Review 6 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
The Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch ReviewThe Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch ReviewThe Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch ReviewThe Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch ReviewThe Ben Collins Wears Mustaches and Tattoos for Golf GTI Batch Review
Despite a major, major cockup when it came to the Mk6 GTI, which is shown as a brand new Clubsport model, this has been a very enjoyable little review of all the GTIs. As some of you might already know, the legendary German hot hatch has turned 40 years old in 2016, and comparison reviews are common.

But nobody has ever put on period-accurate mustaches or tattoo sleeves. Now, we know a review of several versions of the same Volkswagen isn't for everybody, but there are thousands of die-hard fans, especially in the UK.

Starting with the first-generation, it was launched in April 1976, though not in Britain. It wasn't the first hot hatch, as it was preceded by the Renault 5 Gordini, but it's the one that gave the segment a good shove in the back.

People are still arguing whether the Mk1 or Mk2 are better to buy as a second-hand car, so both are excellent. But the same cannot be said about the next two generations. Only when the 2004 Mk5 came out did Volkswagen recapture the magic of the original.

Its formula of a 2.0-liter turbo engine, DSG gearbox, high-quality interior and independent suspension was only slightly improved by the Mk6. That's the one that's missing from this video.

Even though the current generation isn't as groundbreaking as the original, it's still a brilliant all-rounder, and it's the one that introduced great variety to the GTI family. In addition to the normal 220 or 230 PS models, the Clubsport and Clubsport S add up to 310 PS and a track-focused chassis.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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