vale GT Sport?

[tdi guy]

I note the model line up reverts to the more familiar Trendline and Comfortline. There will be a GTI and the 'R' replacement. So Australia will not get the GT Sport (available in the UK, for example). The torque in the Comfortline 118TSI is the same, and power is down about 5% but 0-100 is only a few ticks behind. Also the 'sports pack' adds most of the 'bells and whistles' from the GT (sports seats, 17in wheels, tinted rear windows, etc).

Was the GT merely a 'test bed' for acceptance of the twincharged motor by the Australian market?

TG

[Russ59]

I note the model line up reverts to the more familiar Trendline and Comfortline. There will be a GTI and the 'R' replacement. So Australia will not get the GT Sport (available in the UK, for example). The torque in the Comfortline 118TSI is the same, and power is down about 5% but 0-100 is only a few ticks behind. Also the 'sports pack' adds most of the 'bells and whistles' from the GT (sports seats, 17in wheels, tinted rear windows, etc).

Was the GT merely a 'test bed' for acceptance of the twincharged motor by the Australian market?

TG

I think VW are probably putting the feelers out at this stage to see what sort of reaction they get to the new model and it's changes. I personally prefer the style of the MK V (unbiased) although I'm sure the MK VI will appeal to most as well once it's been out for a while. It's probably a wise move on VW's behalf to introduce the new model gradually especially with the current economic turmoil worldwide. I noticed in a recent review that even the R32 will not be the same car and will lose it's V6 and drop back to a turbo charged 4 cylinder, (although more powerful and with economy in mind). Is this what the people who own and drive R32's would have wanted to see ? probably not, but I'm sure their decision to make that change would have been done with the best interests of the company. Maybe sales of the GT have not been as high in Australia compared to other countries and VW consider it may not be viable to offer the model over here. On the other hand maybe they will drop a new model in our laps like a bombshell and all those with the budget will be running mad to buy them

I just hope they keep the quality strong, I would hate to see that part of the VW brand suffice just to keep up with cheaper opposition.

[greygolf8]

I find it strange that AU vw offer limited options. Apart from baseline models & the popular GTI, the remaining optioned cars all are ordered from the factory. I cant imagine the spare parts are that different. NZ had 4Motion golf's - perhaps that was a "financial" failure ? Even with a few hundred limited run model, be it awd or GT, spare parts can be accessed globally ... am I missing something ?

Edit - VW germany probably uses SAP. Its not very flexible - lolz !

[White Fang]

Just to add to the comment on limited options, they also sell GTIs in some countries with 18" rims with some of the options available here as standard installed stuff - eg leather. I find that annoying too, but I suppose it's got something to do with cutting costs for certain markets?

[ted]

I think the V6 in the R32 was dropped because it wouldn't meet the new Euro emission standards...I'm sure I read that here somewhere

[Lima]

I think we'll get a GTD, or some sort of GT Sport replacement, soon enough.

A simple question for you, was the GT Sport included in the initial launch of the Mk5?

[Lima]

Just to add to the comment on limited options, they also sell GTIs in some countries with 18" rims with some of the options available here as standard installed stuff - eg leather. I find that annoying too, but I suppose it's got something to do with cutting costs for certain markets?

Given the 18" GTI rims were available here as an over the counter option at $4500 per set, I'd say that has a bit to do with why they were never included as a factory option here. Why they were priced at $4500 is a different question though, haha.

[tdi guy]

I think we'll get a GTD, or some sort of GT Sport replacement, soon enough.

A simple question for you, was the GT Sport included in the initial launch of the Mk5?

I think the MKV was introduced in late 2003/early 2004 while GT Sport model was introduced (overseas) in 2005 to showcase the twin-charger motor and the more powerful TDI. I don't think there was a GT Sport MKV before that (others will no doubt confirm/correct me on this point), though there was a 'Sportline' to go with the 'Trendline' and Comfortline', and there were GT versions of the earlier MKs.

TG

[Treza360]

I think the V6 in the R32 was dropped because it wouldn't meet the new Euro emission standards...I'm sure I read that here somewhere

You are correct. The VR6 engine is dead. Long live the VR6 motor in all it's glorious forms.
Cheers,
Trent