Golf GTI Motor Comparison Test

[Sharkie]

Latest Motor magazine did a comparison between a new GTI and a new Mazda 3 MPS ....

good read .... and the GTI won ....(as usual)

BUT .... it even beat the MPS in the standing start runs, though not in the overtaking runs .....

0-100km/h in 6.5s and 400m in 14.6s ... pretty good for only 155kw ... apparently the new diff and ACC makes a big difference in getting the power to the ground .....

Now imagine it with 190kw/400NM ....

And anybody that thought they'd settle for a 118 as the performance diffence would be close ... sorry, but there is daylight between the 2 now. ....

[mrpayne]

That is a pretty good result. How did they rate the MPS as an every day drive proposition?

[Guy_H]

Only downside is the GTI was slower around Wakefield (by a decent amount) - they blamed the ESP (can not switch it fully off) for hindering the lap times.

[MurphyTheElf]

Was the 6.5 second 0-100 result with the launch control programme, or was it a manual for a apples/apples comparison with the MPS?

I'm surprised about the MPS beating it around a track - I wonder if that will consistently be replicated in future reviews.

[windyzz]

MPS is just useless, Why bothered with that much power if it can't put the power down -__-.
I think MPS will be much better if it has 160-170kw and bit lower torque.
But then still no comparison to the new GTI (The GTI is just better in every aspect).

[Swallowtail]

MPS 3 is not useless... they are a great fun drive. Awesome power, yes 1st gear is a bit useless, but once you are moving holy mackerel they are fast. GTI is a more balanced drive in every way, so I agree with the overall comaprison, but trust me that an MPS3 is still one hell of a hoot to drive.

You have to treat its power with respect, but don't underestimate them...

[logger]

0-100km/h in 6.5s and 400m in 14.6s ... pretty good for only 155kw ... apparently the new diff and ACC makes a big difference in getting the power to the ground .....
...
And anybody that thought they'd settle for a 118 as the performance diffence would be close ... sorry, but there is daylight between the 2 now. ....

When I decided to get a 118 I never questioned there would be a perf difference. I was more than happy to "settle" for my 118, pocket the $12,000 saving (even with the tune) and still do 0-100km/h in 6.9s You'd want there to be a performance difference for the extra moola. Will have to see what mine does the 400m in.

[windyzz]

Yeah, they are fast car but if you plainly want a fast and fun car hot hatch I wouldn't go pass the Megane F1, or Clio, or WRX.

IMO they are just more fun then MPS.
BUt i dunno.

[windmagnet]

MPS might be fast but that interior

[ricksterrr]

How can you say 'No' to red polka dots on the interior trim??

[Corey_R]

MPS is just useless, Why bothered with that much power if it can't put the power down -__-.

Obviously it's not useless if it can BEAT the GTI around a track. That's actually really concerning. The previous MPS was always slammed as not having good handling, but now this one has enough handling to beat the GTI on a track.

Is there really NO WAY to disable ESP on a GTI? What about on a GTI with an APR ECU update?!

[gareth_oau]

I also noted that for the track comparison the MPs was done on a dry track, whereas the GTI was done on a drying track, so even those comparisons are not direct.

With the traction control not being fully switchable I wonder if this could be easily overcome with VAGCOM?

I still the believe the GTI is a far more sophisticated looking piece of kit - the MPS looks like its trying to appeal to the power rangers brigade

[Sharkie]

Yes, dry track and fully off ESP would probably have given a track victory to the GTI as well .....

[Timbo]

As to the straight line times, you need to remember the MPS is torque-limited in the lower gears...as you'd need to do, I suspect, if you pump similar power into the front wheels of a GTI. Power is nothing without traction.

As to track times, I think if the handling of the MPS is OK, then it's likely to have an advantage at WPR because it is predominantly a 3rd/4th gear track allowing the MPS to use more of its power. This debate will go for days, I suspect hehehe

[cme2c]

Was the 6.5 second 0-100 result with the launch control programme, or was it a manual for a apples/apples comparison with the MPS?

I'm surprised about the MPS beating it around a track - I wonder if that will consistently be replicated in future reviews.

It was DSG. According to the mag, VWA couldn't supply the manual they wanted.