2006 Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen sure does love its little turbocharged, fuel-injected engines. And with good reason -- they pump up the power without adding on the cylinders and weight, enabling nimble handling and aggressive acceleration.

The new 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter, double-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine in the 2006 Volkswagen GTI, which made its appearance in showrooms in the the middle of the model year, is a perfect example. It features VW's fuel straight injection (FSI) system, which ensures the pedal is responsive no matter your current speed or driving conditions. In the opinion of many reviewers, the turbocharged four-cylinder returns VW's GTI to verifiable sporty status, and makes the GTI once more an object of desire.

The exterior of the car has been redesigned as well. It actually looks faster, with a swept-back windshield, tapering side windows, a rear spoiler, and a more muscular front end with a black chin underneath the black grille.

The GTI comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission and, for the first time, an optional Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) six-speed automatic with the Tiptronic feature, which enables drivers to shift manually if they so desire. Beyond that, the GTI comes with a full range of the expected standard features, including air conditioning, power everything, traction control, and stability control. Options include a sunroof, navigation system, and leather seats.

So what do drivers think of this car? Naturally they were impressed, with more than a few calling it the best GTI ever. For some, the new styling was a bit of a letdown, but few have found any negatives with the car so far.