Tweet
Just spent 3 weeks and 4600km travelling through 3 states visiting family and friends. I must say that my RS petrol hatch is fantastic at long distance touring. Even 8-10 hours driving a day is easily achievable with stops only to feed the car and myself.
I really got to like the seats and driving position which was very comfortable for long periods behind the wheel, and the auto operation of the headlights and wipers really worked quite intuitively, especially in the extreme downpours I experienced in northern NSW.
Fuel consumption was good considering the performance and the generally high point to point speeds I was able to maintain and also due to much improved highways over the last few years with lots more 110km.hr limits now. Strangely, consumption did vary with a factor of about 15% less, ie low 6’s l/100km in QLD compared to low 7’s in NSW & Vic. Not sure how or why this occurred as I was travelling at similar speeds and conditions and the same fuels (98 RON). Maybe things ARE better up north! Or was it just good batches of fuel. Surely the formulation is the same or do they reduce the volatiles in the warmer states?
Overtaking was a great buzz and the turbo surge addictive. I don’t like to spend much time on the wrong side of the road and even approaching warp factor two the car felt extremely safe and controllable with a light brush of the “eager”, as the NRMA called them, brakes resulted in a total overtaking time of mere seconds – fantastic and very much like a motorcycle.
On the whole, it’s the best car I’ve owned (and there’s been plenty) so far and is a keeper. It has a good balance of form and function and I’m glad it doesn’t stand out in the crowd, more like a stealth fighter.
A few extra points:
- Tried out the launch control with my sons in the car, we were all impressed!
- Most truck divers were very courteous
- Not so large 4WD owners
- The option of a rocket launcher as in the Audi in the movie “From Paris with Love” would be nice for the above (just kidding)
- The climate control worked beautifully in 34 deg 100% humidity QLD and 8 deg foggy Cooma (but too cool for my cold blooded northern rellies)
- Cruise control is a great thing. I used it probably 90% of the trip, without it I would be writing this from prison, I’m sure – I just love that turbo urge.
- The AVC9000 worked flawlessly with navigating and music via SD card and iPod.
I really got to like the seats and driving position which was very comfortable for long periods behind the wheel, and the auto operation of the headlights and wipers really worked quite intuitively, especially in the extreme downpours I experienced in northern NSW.
Fuel consumption was good considering the performance and the generally high point to point speeds I was able to maintain and also due to much improved highways over the last few years with lots more 110km.hr limits now. Strangely, consumption did vary with a factor of about 15% less, ie low 6’s l/100km in QLD compared to low 7’s in NSW & Vic. Not sure how or why this occurred as I was travelling at similar speeds and conditions and the same fuels (98 RON). Maybe things ARE better up north! Or was it just good batches of fuel. Surely the formulation is the same or do they reduce the volatiles in the warmer states?
Overtaking was a great buzz and the turbo surge addictive. I don’t like to spend much time on the wrong side of the road and even approaching warp factor two the car felt extremely safe and controllable with a light brush of the “eager”, as the NRMA called them, brakes resulted in a total overtaking time of mere seconds – fantastic and very much like a motorcycle.
On the whole, it’s the best car I’ve owned (and there’s been plenty) so far and is a keeper. It has a good balance of form and function and I’m glad it doesn’t stand out in the crowd, more like a stealth fighter.
A few extra points:
- Tried out the launch control with my sons in the car, we were all impressed!
- Most truck divers were very courteous
- Not so large 4WD owners
- The option of a rocket launcher as in the Audi in the movie “From Paris with Love” would be nice for the above (just kidding)
- The climate control worked beautifully in 34 deg 100% humidity QLD and 8 deg foggy Cooma (but too cool for my cold blooded northern rellies)
- Cruise control is a great thing. I used it probably 90% of the trip, without it I would be writing this from prison, I’m sure – I just love that turbo urge.
- The AVC9000 worked flawlessly with navigating and music via SD card and iPod.
oint+Leo+to:Monash+Fwy+to:West+Gate+Fwy+to:Torquay +Vic+to:Great+Ocean+Rd+to:Lake+Purrumbete+to
eans+Marsh+Lorne+Rd+to:Great+Ocean+Rd+to:Mahoneys+ Rd+to:Henty+Hwy+to
Comment