Golf 6 scores a hole in one

Let me explain.  Firstly, the nomenclature will be unfamiliar to many of you but in the SA market, the letters TSI in conjunction with Highline (the top trim level) mean that the engine features direct injection and is supercharged and turbocharged. A supercharger provides boost at low revs so as to reduce the familiar lethargy of a turbo at low engine revolutions while the turbo takes over (seamlessly) at higher revs so as to take advantage of otherwise wasted exhaust gases to compress the intake air for greater power and efficiency. 
Take due note of the description “power and efficency” because that’s exactly what this relatively miniscule engine that displaces a mere 1390ccs offers. It develops no less than 118kW at a relatively low 5800 r/min and a near unbelievable 240-Nm of torque from a mere 1500 r/min.  On the road, this translates into the punch and go you’d expect from a very brawny 2.0 litre engine.
It’s amazing, the more so when you consider that its  zero to 100 km/h sprint time of eight seconds dead is not far off a second quicker than the time claimed for a 3.0 litre V6 Camry of relatively recent memory. 
While it displays all this get up and go, it doesn’t make a fuss about its giant-killing feats because the cabin is incredibly well insulated from the mechnicals lurking just centimetres in front of your feet.  Sure, you can hear the little straight four when you put the boot in and there is a hardish-edged snarl to the combustion — a common byproduct of direct injection — but the overall refinement defies belief for a car in this class.
At idle, you genuinely have to look at the rev counter to see that the motor is turning over, so smooth and quiet is its operation for those seated in the cabin.  And as if this exceptional insulation is not enough, the isolation of road and wind noise and other extraneous noises generated by passing traffic, sets new standards for the class and the class above, for that matter. 
Thicker, specially insulated glass is just part of the reason and so is attention to detail such as the complete sealing of the gap between front and rear doors from the window line all the way to the sill.  Now tell me how many other cars of any price feature such impressive detail.
Given that my drive was very short, I can’t comment with authority on matters such as handling and ride save to say that the electrically-assisted steering felt spot on and that the cabin ambience is terrific thanks to the use of classy materials and beautifully crafted soft-touch mouldings which again raise the bar for this class.  Because the Golf 6 doesn’t look that different from its predecessor, there has been a fair bit of ill-informed comment on web blogs (from those know-alls who’ve never driven the car, let alone seen one in the flesh) that it’s nothing more than a halfway house from Wolfsburg.
I say to these armchair automotive wizards that they’d be well-advised to probe beneath the surface of this new model and then get behind the wheel.  It’s difficult not to be amazed at the feel it exudes.  It’s the feel and refinement you expect and don’t always get from cars at least twice the price of this admittedly fairly expensive hatchback which has earned for itself the title of “World Car of the Year 2009”.  Add in a 200 km/h top speed and a combined cycle fuel consumption of a mere 6.3 l/100 kms, and you’ve got a car which is the nearest thing you’ll find at the price to being all things to all people.
And a final word on the confusion surrounding the TSI badging.  In SA, the Highline model described above is Twincharged while the two “lesser” TSI models in Trendline or Comfortline trim, are Turbocharged only but are equipped with the otherwise similar 1390cc direct injection petrol engine.
Jefferies to the fore
Axcil Jefferies of Zimbabwe went one better in the third round of the Formula BMW Pacific Series held at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia last weekend.  He passed his team mate in the first corner and never looked back over the ten laps of the race to be first past the chequered flag.  In the fourth round, Axcil secured fourth spot so he’s certainly making a name for himself in this competitive series.  Maybe he should change his name to Axcilerator Jefferies.
Effective safety device
I am a firm believer that under-inflated tyres are the biggest single killer on Zimbabwe’s roads, after human error, of course. All the blowouts  and bits of shredded rubber you hear of and witness are the result of negligence when it comes to looking after the only contact between vehicle occupants and the road.
It’s therefore pleasing to learn of sensible devices that do so much more to promote road safety than fining a driver for travelling at 63,5 km/h in a 60 zone. The device I’ve learned about is an after-market tyre pressure monitor by the name of Tyresure which works via electronic sensing and transmitting  devices fitted to specially designed valves inside each wheel.
Because the device adds weight, it is necessary to have the wheel/tyre assembly accurately re-balanced after fitment.
Each sensor is also referenced so as to identify which data transmission belongs to which wheel on the car.  The package comes with a small rectangular LED screen that easily attaches to the dashboard, and shortly after the ignition is turned on, the monitor picks up the transmissions from the sensors and displays the precise pressure in each tyre.  The display can also be changed to show temperature, itself an important safety factor.  This facility demonstrates very clearly how pressures rise when a tyre is exposed to the sun or when the tyre  is exposed to long, fast runs and shows just why you must always inflate tyres when they are at ambient temperature. 
Le Mans 24 Hours
By the time you read this, that other car breaking race in France will be just two days away.  Yours truly will be there, for the 16th time, but the good news for you armchair fans is that SuperSport will be covering biggest part of this year’s great race. 
Check out the scheduling for precise details but I think it’s on 207 from about 1445 on June 13.