AUTOMOBILE names 2010 GTI Automobile of the Year

Volkswagen GTI: Halo car?
Would you consider the GTI Volkswagen's halo car? When you stop and think about it, the GTI has, over the years, meant sporty driving. If you're old like me, you remember the original GTI as a small yet tossable car to drive.

That fun-to-drive reputation has continued over the years and manifests itself yet again by being recognized by AUTOMOBILE Magazine as its 2010 Automobile of the Year.

Now, some of you might say the New Beetle is VW's halo car but for me it's always been a little too cartoonish. For diehard VW buyers, the GTI describes performance in an affordable package that's hard to beat. The Beetle is there for college coeds and commuters yearning for the '70s. They may have owned the original minivan, the VW Bus, as well. But that's another story.

A loose definition of halo car is one that draws buyers to showrooms. Usually it's an expensive car that catches your eye because of its exotic looks, expensive price and mind-numbing performance. In a nut shell, halo cars are unaffordable and will outperform 99% of drivers; i.e., its performance will get you in trouble in more ways than one.

But does a halo car need to meet those specifications? A car doesn't need to be expensive or exotic looking to be great to drive. Does the GTI look exotic? Absolutely not. But what does it have?

We can start with its 2.0-liter, 16-valve DOHC turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque. Transmissions include VW's slick DSG or a traditional six-speed manual. Add on the new for 2010 electronic limited slip, which VW is calling XDS, and you have the makings of a car most enthusiasts will love.

Let me know what you think. Do you think the GTI can be VW's halo car? What other car does VW have that fits the halo characteristics? I can't think of any other VW model that fits the bill.