There’s been a lot of justification tossed around on behalf of the GTI. As much excitement as there was last year for the release of this latest-generation GTI, many were disappointed to find it wasn’t the fastest ride on the block. And so the excuses were brought out to explain why the 2010 Golf GTI, while not the quickest around, was still the best hot hatch out there. Perhaps “excuses” is too harsh. With a class-leading interior and road-holding that puts cars twice as expensive to shame, “reasons” seems to be more appropriate. But speed, after all, is king, and the idea that the new engine in this newest GTI couldn’t keep up dug in a lot of sides.

Originally, Volkswagen had estimated the GTI’s 0-60 time as just under 7 seconds in a three-door equipped with the DSG transmission. Not bad for a little four-cylinder hatchback, but not quick enough to keep up with the competition.

Road & Track did the same jaunt in just 6.1 seconds. Real-world testing dropped almost a full second off VW’s estimate, and Road & Track was even able to push it to a 14.6-second quarter-mile. So much for speed issues.

Besides, who would really have issue with a turbocharged, direct-injected, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that still manages to deliver 207 lb-ft of torque at only 1,800 rpm? That is of course ignoring the wholly respectable 200 hp that shows up at 5,100 rpm. With the six-speed manual it is slower, but it’s still capable of a 6.5-second 0-60 sprint from a five-door equipped with the six-speed, and that’s not bad either. Best of all, you’ll still get 21/31 mpg with the six-speed and 24/33 with the DSG, although VW recommends you grab the premium pump.

With speed out of the way, those excuses or reasons suddenly mean even more, now that they’re compliments rather than justifications. The GTI does turn quicker than a greased go-kart. And it does have an interior that looks like it was pulled out of a luxury sedan rather than an economy hatchback – excepting the plaid cloth seat inserts that hearken back to the GTI of old.

No, there was nothing wrong with the GTI from the beginning, and VW knew it. This could explain why the changes for 2011 amount to trim-level shuffling. For the most part, trim names of this three- or five-door hatchback revolve around the options they add. Base trims come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front bucket seats, a full power package with heated power mirrors and integrated turn signals. Traction and stability control are standard, as well as 18-inch alloys and antilock four-wheel discs. Anything but base. The Base with Sunroof trim predictably adds a sunroof, while Base with Sunroof and Navigation similarly requires no explanation, but both come with an upgraded sound system, and the latter gets steering-linked bi-xenon headlights. For top-tier status, the Autobahn offers leather upholstery and trim, Smart Key entry and pushbutton ignition as well as an upgraded Dynaudio sound system.

Thankfully, this certainly won’t mean an end to the arguing, to the grandstanding or even the excuses. As competitive as the automotive industry is, there will always be someone looking to prove why their car is better than yours. Good. It’ll give Volkswagen a reason to make the GTI even better.