Sophisticatedly refined, affordable, technologically advanced and German-bred for autobahn speeds, there’s absolutely nothing else like the 2009 Volkswagen GLI. A bona fide, head-turning European sports sedan that reaches 60 mph from a standstill in an impressive 7.2-seconds with an electronically governed top speed of 127-mph.
The GLI’s attractive performance numbers are achieved with an advanced 2.0 liter FSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The result is optimal delivery of 200 horsepower between 5100 and 6000 rpm, and a very noticeable 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from 1800 to 5000 rpm.
2009 GLI: THE PERFORMANCE SEDAN
FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT ALL
HERNDON, Va. — Sophisticatedly refined, affordable, technologically advanced and German-bred for autobahn speeds, there's absolutely nothing else like the 2009 Volkswagen GLI in the U.S. midsize passenger car marketplace.
While Volkswagen's designers blessed the latest generation GLI with Euro-distinctive good looks inside and out with subtle but striking performance cues, the engineers in Wolfsburg made sure the sedan performed like its iconic sibling, the GTI.
The end result: a bona fide, head-turning European sports sedan that reaches 60
mph from a standstill in an impressive 7.2-seconds with an electronically governed top speed of 127-mph, all while delivering fuel efficiency of 21 mpg in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway. Cost for entry? A very reasonable price of $24,590.
Highlights
Advanced 2.0-liter FSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine
Six-speed transmission with DSG dual-clutch technology
Standard equipped ESP
Tiptronic ® shift
Launch control
Fully independent, sports-tuned suspension
Optional Autobahn package
Available Touch-Screen Navigation System
Engine and Transmission
The GLI's attractive performance numbers are achieved with an advanced 2.0
liter FSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission — the sedan's standard powertrain configuration.
The state-of-the-art, compact 16-valve DOHC gasoline powerplant has a high
compression ratio of 10.3:1, incorporates a fully electronic engine management system, and includes drive-by-wire throttle control and FSI direct injection for optimal fuel delivery, which increases power and improves efficiency while reducing emissions. It also has maintenance-free hydraulic lifters for smooth, worry-free operation.
The result is optimal delivery of 200 horsepower between 5100 and 6000 rpm,
and a very noticeable 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from 1800 to 5000 rpm.
When the 2.0T FSI engine is mated with an optional automatic six-speed
transmission equipped with Volkswagen's advanced DSG dual-clutch technologies, the numbers only get better: 0-60 mph in a scant 6.9-seconds; 22-mpg in the city; and 29-mpg on the highway.
Like the 2.0T FSI engine, the dual-clutch DSG transmission is but one of the GLI's technical highlights.
The DSG automatic transmission utilizes direct shifting that automatically engages and disengages gears without the need for a clutch pedal. A computer engages one clutch on the next gear that's needed, just as it releases the other clutch from the previous gear. The shifts are seamless and happen without the power loss associated with a traditional, clutched shift.
Launch Control, combined with the DSG transmission, helps get the GLI off the
line a little faster and with a little more “show.” The Launch Control program allows the engine to rev before the first clutch is engaged. The result is a controlled wheel-spin at launch.
The DSG transmission gives drivers a choice of fully automatic operation, with no
further driver involvement necessary beyond selecting “D.”
The advanced transmission also offers automated manual shifting for drivers who
prefer to be more involved in the gear-change process. The DSG with Volkswagen Tiptronic ® lets drivers shift gears up and down with a tap of the gearshift selector or finger-operated shift-paddles mounted to the steering wheel.
The result is not just another “tap up/tap down” gear selector, but rather a
transmission that enables a noticeable absence of power-transfer loss during up shifts and computer matched revs for perfect downshifts every time. Gear changes are almost imperceptible, and acceleration is effortless.
Chassis and Suspension
The 2009 GLI is equipped with a fully independent, sports-tuned suspension that
incorporates a proven McPherson strut configuration with lower wishbones; aluminum subframe for reduced unsprung mass; tubular stabilizer bar; and track stabilization steering roll radius that helps create a more direct steering ratio and reduces body roll tendencies in tight turns.
The sophisticated four-link independent rear suspension carries a separate
spring/shock absorber arrangement; subframe; and tubular stabilizer bar — the result is an optimal marriage of sporty performance with enhanced rear seat ride comfort.
The GLI continues its mission as a driver's sedan with handling precision enabled via a electromechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system with speed-dependant power assistance and a 16.2:1 steering ratio.
The system is tuned to ensure extremely good on-center feel, confident straight-line, and exceptional responsiveness to inputs that results in a connected-to-the-road feel.
Large disc brakes (312- x 25-mm front/286- x 12-mm rear) are vented in the front, and solid in the rear with red brakes and calipers.
Dynamic chassis controls on the 2009 GLI include a three-channel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS); Anti-slip Regulation (ASR); Electronic Differential Lock (EDL); Engine Braking Assist (EBA); Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP ® ). All are standard equipment on every GLI offering.
Exterior
Distinguishing exterior styling cues on the 2009 GLI are subtle and include a
blacked-out honeycomb grille, with a red pinstripe centered just below auto-leveling and high-intensity Xenon headlights. Lower side-body trim is blacked out, and red calipers peer through the spokes of 17-inch or optional 18-inch alloy rims dressed in summer performance tires.
In the rear, large round taillights wrapped in thin chrome accents show off inset
white back-up lights and amber turn signals from assemblies perched outboard on the transom of the rear deck lid. Underneath, dual stainless exhaust tips poke out from just below the rear lower valance. Front and rear GLI badges add the finishing touch.
Interior
Front seats are heated eight-way adjustable sport buckets that offer exceptional
support and comfort, even on long drives. Interior trim is aluminum, right down to the foot pedals. Silver rings individualize the instrument gauges, and silver-finish buttons front the in-dash radio.
The standard stereo in the GLI is an impressive 10-speaker sound system with,
AM/FM/Sirius ™ satellite radio, in-dash six-disc CD changer with MP3 format
readability, and auxiliary input jack.
A GLI-model trademark is a thickly padded, F1-style flat-bottom steering wheel,
with tilt-and-telescope adjustment. The flat-bottom “circle” helps keep track of how far the wheel's been turned.
Active and Passive Safety
Like all Volkswagens, the GLI includes the Prevent and Preserve Safety System,
consisting of more than 45 safety features. As standard equipment, the GLI includes — but is not limited to -- six airbags (dual front; dual front side thorax; and side curtains); rear-impact optimized head restraints; front seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters; and three-point safety belts in all five seating positions (two front, three rear) with emergency locking retractors. Rear side airbags are available as an option.
The GLI, like all 2009 Volkswagens, comes standard equipped with the
Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to provide an electronic stability control system on its entire product line as standard equipment — ahead of the NHTSA deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. ESP compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual direction; if ESP detects a discrepancy, ESP automatically brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help maintain directional control.
Warranty
The 2009 GLI comes with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for three years or 3 6,000
miles (whichever occurs first), plus new vehicle warranties including:
- Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty.
- Three-year/36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty with wear and tear items and adjustments.
- 12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation.
The GLI, like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, is included in the no-charge
Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of the GLI's scheduled
maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Since all current Volkswagens, including GLI, use synthetic oil, combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, a 5,000 mile oil change is no longer necessary. This means that like all current Volkswagen owners, GLI drivers can drive farther between oil changes.