Why a GTI “Sport?”

As mentioned on my “Why Stealth GTI?” page, I prefer to keep a sedate appearance with my cars. Doing so avoids unwanted attention from thieves, vandals, police, and boy-racers. I was certain that I’d be quite content with a base “S,” especially after fitting it with my 16-inch VW Mambo alloys. It would have looked like an OEM+ Golf, but performed like a GTI.

However, I found myself attracted to the extra features of the “Sport” trim (available only in 2017). The Sport is essentially an “S” with what VW once offered separately as a “Lighting Package” and a “Performance Package.” These packages were eventually just rolled into all Mk7 trim levels above “S.” 

In short, the Sport adds the following:

• Lighting Package, which consists of Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive Frontlight System;
• Performance Package, which consists of the “VAQ” electronic locking differential, larger brakes, +10 horsepower;
• Other small touches such as keyless access w/push-button start, unique 18-inch wheels, and gloss black mirror caps.

Buying these items from the factory for $2500 was much less expensive than fitting even a few of these features later. I think this is the best write-up I’ve seen about the Sport.

For me, the limited-slip differential was the most attractive item. I added a Peloquin torque-biasing differential to my Mk3 many years ago. The difference was substantial. Getting stuck in snow or on ice became a thing of the past; brisk accelerations on wet roads was vastly improved, too. In a car-nut kind of way, adding the VAQ differential is actually a very practical choice! 😀

Keyless access w/pushbutton start was my next attraction. Sure, the old fart in me thought, “It’s just something else that’ll break.” But I’ve had ignition switch problems on three of my VW’s in the past, including a Mk6 that was only a year old when the switch started to feel finicky. I concluded that eliminating this point of mechanical failure may be a good thing. It’s been very convenient, too!

Of course, most enthusiasts are probably wondering why I didn’t list the “Lighting Package” as my top choice. Honestly, the Bi-Xenon lights were more of an “Okay, I’ll take those, too” sort of thing for me. I had driven old cars for a long time, so today’s halogens are a huge improvement over my previous cars.

The Bi-Xenons have certainly been a fantastic feature, but the cost of replacing bulbs or the potential for mechanical failure still sits in the back of my mind. See? This old fart is thinking, “It’s just something else that’ll break!” 😀 They’ve been great over the past 10 years. Time will tell how these things hold up in the long run.

BTW, the GTI Sport is the only GTI to not feature LED foglights. The Bi-Xenons put A LOT of light right in front of the car; side lighting is excellent, too. This is amplified with the North American Region restriction removed. So I’m not missing the fog lights at all, especially since they’ve proven to be rock magnets on previous cars.

The last few items are of little consequence to me: larger brakes, +10 horsepower, black mirror caps, and Nogaro wheels. Again, I’m accustomed to older cars. The 11.3-inch brakes on my Mk6 were a huge improvement over the 10.1-inch brakes on my Mk3. So I’m certain that the 12.3-inch brakes on the “S” would have been great. They also would have allowed me to use the 16-inch wheels that I like.

Since the lights, differential, and pushbutton start are easily worth the $2500 package alone, I’ll take the brakes as freebies.    The +10 horsepower was barely perceivable. It’s moot now that I’ve tuned the car. As for the black mirror caps, some dislike them, but I’m indifferent. Ironically, some spend hundreds to swap to black, so I guess I’m stylistically ahead for free?

I didn’t really care for the 18-inch Nogaro wheels at first, but they quickly grew on me. I get a lot of great comments about them, too. Best yet, they may become “rare” since they were only offered on the 2017-only Sport trim. I acquired additional sets and had them refinished in Gunmetal Gray. I love them even more! See details here.

One last feature that the Sport does not have that’s popular with enthusiasts: a sunroof. I’ve never really been fond of sunroofs. Reading the numerous reports of leaking sunroofs and mechanical defects compels me to be glad that I don’t have one. 

Finally, I have to comment on my selection of Reflex Silver. I’ve always liked that color, but never could seem to find one available when I was ready to buy. Now that I have one, I find myself appreciating how good Reflex Silver looks, even when it’s dirty. Call me lazy, but I think Reflex Silver is an “easy button” that looks great almost all the time.

Plus, I do not see many Reflex Silver GTIs in my area. White GTIs are everywhere; Reflex Silver, not so much. It makes me feel like I’m driving a unicorn. 😉 Oh, the Clark Plaid cloth seats are great! My passengers usually comment about them and think they’re a nice touch.

Sporting It,

Scott