golf R

[gareth_oau]

I actually prefer when they have a huge option list.

its frustrating that the final price is waaaay higher than what you thought you were going to spend, but the upside is that you are customising the car to your needs.

For example, Ive had cruise control on all of my cars, which is standard, but I NEVER use it. I'd rather leave the option box unticked and spend that money somewhere else.

also, if a car is borderline LCT threshold, then by not paying for 'options' that you don't want, might keep you below that threshold

[elisiX]

If cruise was not a standard feature on a car over $30k these days then the maker needs their head checked. I know.. that was just one example. The problem with a mile long options list is that the car begins to depreciate from the RRP of the vehicle, not the vehicle + options price. I'm all for a sports pack and luxury pack bundled. They could still list options individually but if you take say a pack and a single item, you get a discount of 20% for bundling so to speak. So you are not held back if you want just 1 option or 2, but have the benefit of choosing a 'pack' which is specific to luxury or sport as described earlier by pologti18t.

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[elisiX]

Another review.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Volkswagen-Golf-2.0-TSI-270-R/246100/

I am really liking the look of this. Crap why cant we know RRP and when it WILL be here.

It's got me wondering about my choice of an optioned GTI that's on order.

[Spook]

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/pos...osselman/593/1 Review from NZ who have a local press car.

Yes.. NZ has a press car already and its due to be on sale in Q1 2010! However we will be waiting until Q2 or more likely Q3.

Why the hell would NZ get the car before us? Also, its slated to be $71k NZD which is $57k AUD (in line with the existing R32 RRP).

I wonder what options will be available and what kit is standard? Makes me wonder about ordering an almost fully optioned GTI.

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Looking at the Golf R on the VW NZ website, and the launch price is NZD 72,500 (DSG only). The 5door Golf GTI (DSG only also) by comparison is NZD 57,500, so that translates to a 26% premium for the Golf R. Rather than converting straight to AUD, if If we apply the same 26% premium to Oz, that means a price of around $54k (c'mon VW Oz, c'mon!! )

Here's the specs side by side:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/specification_downloads.ContentPar.31016.file.tmp/Spec_Opt_Sheet_Golf_GTI_and_Golf_R_MY10_1Jan10.pdf

I see that the Golf R has the LED taillights as standard.

No offence to our mates across the Tasman, but my mind boggles as to why VW NZ is able to secure new models way before Oz. Take a look at their website and they have the Scirocco, Golf Variant, and even the new Polo. Perhaps it's a case of much lower volumes so easier to fulfill demand.

Off-topic: I like how the prices are listed for each option, like the way it was in Oz. Sigh...

[Tim]

No offence to our mates across the Tasman, but my mind boggles as to why VW NZ is able to secure new models way before Oz. Take a look at their website and they have the Scirocco, Golf Variant, and even the new Polo. Perhaps it's a case of much lower volumes so easier to fulfill demand.

They probably dont have as much red tape to bring in models over there.

[elisiX]

Direct comparison's are always shaky ground. lol

If it was landed here for $54k AUD that'd be great - but I doubt it. $57k AUD RRP + ORC for the 3DR sounds more like it IMO.

[elisiX]

Thanks for the PDF also.

If the AUS delivered cars are going to be specced similarly, then it looks like Xenon is the only included option over the GTI (other than R specific items).

Looking at the power comparison between the two also, I think a nice little Stage II upgrade to the GTI will make it a very worthy performer against the R even without the 4 Motion system.

It'll be interesting to see the final AUS spec details though.

[Corey_R]

Here's the specs side by side:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/specification_downloads.ContentPar.31016.file.tmp/Spec_Opt_Sheet_Golf_GTI_and_Golf_R_MY10_1Jan10.pdf

Thanks for the PDF.

As I've stated previously, it looks as though "Park Assist" is not going to be available on the Golf R, which is a bit of a shame. Front and Rear PDC + Rear View camera is the best it offers.
It's also interesting to note that the cost for upgrading to the 18" Detroit's on the GTI is the same as upgrading to the 19" Talladega's on the R. Which may mean only a $1200 cost in Australia, but we'll see.

I've also noted that the luggage volume for the Golf R appears to be wrong in that PDF. Unless something has changed for the Golf R, the 4 Motion system reduces tha available space in the boot due to the boot floor needing to be raised.

It should also be noted that although Spook mentioned above that the price translates to $54k in AUD, the NZ models are 5 dr only and DSG only.
A 5dr DSG R32 in Australia is $59,490 plus options plus onroads. So I still don't believe we can really make any conclusions from our NZ friends specs and prices. I doubt VW will be making the Golf R cheaper than the R32, so I would still bet for the same prices as the R32, and probably that leather will be standard again

[G-rig]

Interesting to look at the Specs & Options sheet.

I thought the engine would be the new TSI, not FSI as stated?

Looks like the racing buckets are only $1500 more than the leather option which isn't bad. Beats the 4k extra over the 3k option on the R32 for the Recaros.

If I read it correctly it looks like privacy glass is optional which i wouldn't get as it's too hard to match the front windows later without going real dark/illegal tints, also not worth $650.

Interesting too to see that XDS isn't standard on the R, hard to say if i'd opt for that as it could take some of the fun out of the car.

[elisiX]

Isn't the XDS really there to help with the classic FWD issues? And the R being AWD not requiring it?

[Sharkie]

You can spend $20 000 on upgrading the power of the GTI and it will still be slower than the R ...... anybody who thinks different is just fooling themselves. Common to underestimate the value of AWD in a turbo car .....

GTI has the new TSI engine .... R has the old TFSI as in the S3/TTS/Pirelli, they are actually completely different engines now. I have no idea when a 200kw TSI version will be available .... I'd say keep an eye on Audi to see when a new top of the range TSI engine comes out.

[elisiX]

As I said, a modified GTI w/ Stage II for example will be a worthy performer to the R, not smash it out of the park.

I am a true believer in AWD..

[Sharkie]

As I said, a modified GTI w/ Stage II for example will be a worthy performer to the R, not smash it out of the park.

I am a true believer in AWD..

Nope, drove a Stg3 GTI and a stock S3 (same as the upcoming R) is still quicker off the line .... Too much power in a FWD = no traction ..... (unless you spend many $$$ modifying the suspension setup)

Have a look at the recent Motor Tuner shootout .... Stg3 GTI in the hands of an average driver is slower than a S3 in the hands of the same driver (Morley)

On my Mk1(300kw+) I spent 6 months on the suspension alone, trying different settings to get to a decent quartermile time. Dropped from 12.9 to 12.3s in that 6 months without adding any more power ..... spent more than $20K on suspension during that 6 months as well.

You'd be spending more money on getting the GTI to keep up with a stock R than what the difference between them RRP would be......

Then the R driver would spend $2K on a chip alone and likely be under 5s 0-100 .....

[Corey_R]

Yeah, I agree with Sharkie on this one. 0 to 100 times the Golf R and S3 are going to beat the GTI, as with 400m times.

I think that this time around it's an entirely different situation to the MKV GTI vs R32. The R32 had an old, lazy, heavy motor. It was naturally aspirated, so 'tuning options' were very minor unless you went with the very expensive turbo conversion. The R32's 0 to 100 times were also nowhere near what the new Golf R's times are, so a good driver in a Stage I/II GTI could keep up on acceleration with an R32 driver, and then be competitive (even faster) on corners also due to the 200kg lower weight of the GTI vs R32 etc.

But this has changed for the MK6. The Golf R is 0 to 100 in 5.5 seconds vs 6.9 of the GTI. Even if you do a stage II on the GTI and get that to 6 seconds, you're still going to be nowhere near the R's times, especially after doing the ECU on the R.
Then there is the fact that the R has the 2L motor and it's only about 125kg heavier than the GTI, so it doesn't have as much as a weight disadvantage for the corners that the R32 had.

Summary. Golf R is where it's at

[elisiX]

Guy's I'm not arguing with you.

Not once did I say the GTI will beat the R... with or without Stage II.

All I am saying is that it will be a worthy performer. That's it.

Now I wonder what insurance will be like on the R?