The teasing begins with a 2.8-litre (171 cu in), 24-valve DOHC V6 capable of generating 200-horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of

The front seats in my tester were heated and wonderfully comfortable and supportive thanks to extensive side bolstering on the seat pad and seat back. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

torque at only 3,200 rpm - that's plenty of power to hustle 1,377 kilos (3,036 lbs) of metal and glass about town or down the highway. This engine is about as sweet as a V6 gets for invigorating performance. Not only does it impart all the right sounds; it's prepared to pull hard in any gear thanks in part to variable cam timing. I actually found myself shifting from 2nd gear to 6th gear in the city just to feel the pull it can generate from below 2,000 rpm.

Working the shifter in my VR6 transported me to 'manual transmission Nirvana.' This stick effortlessly falls into position with a smooth, but well define click. Its throws are short, nicely spaced and intuitive. Working foot-in-hand with the shifter is a light effort clutch that was slightly grabby, taking a bit of time to adjust to. Once hands and feet are working in unison, the GTI goes where directed without objection. This is a fine handling machine: communicative, predictable and assured. Hard into

The VR6 is powered by a 2.8-litre (171 cu in), 24-valve DOHC V6 capable of generating 200-horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque at only 3,200 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

corners only cements the GTI more firmly to the pavement, with just a hint of understeer to gauge by.

Much of the GTI's handling competency is directly attributable to its wonderfully balanced chassis and sophisticated, fully independent suspension setup. At the front, a pair of MacPherson struts combine with coil springs and a stabilizer bar to keep things on track. Holding up the rear is an independent torsion beam axle, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks and another stabilizer bar. Should things escalate beyond the driver's ability to maintain control, an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) is standard GTI equipment along with VW's Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control technology.