Golf GTI Motor Comparison Test

[seangti]

I haven't seen the article, though I'll make the assumption they used someone that can actually drive. The difference being that many of us weekend track warriors probably wouldn't get within a whisker of say a Warren Luff or McConnville (regardless of our opinions of them) so the difference in track times become only relevent when there is a driver that can sap every bit out of the car.

And as a reasonably regular participant in queensland raceway sprints over the last few years, I'm yet to see one golf GTI out there... so is it really that relevent that an MPS is a fraction quicker when so few cars see the track???

[Revhed]

Note that the article also stated that the vehicles were performance tested on different days, so the times are not directly comparable.

The December issue of US mag Car and Driver also has a similar comparo, this time with a manual GTI - MPS is a bit quicker in that one - Quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 100 mph, with the GTI a 14.9 quarter at 96 mph

[Corey_R]

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

Well... around a track I'd say the DSG is an advantage over a manual. The main disadvantage of the DSG is the hesitation off the line, which is not relevant once you're moving...

[Guy_H]

Just looking at the article, there were also two different drivers as well (shouldn't make much difference as I know both of them & they can both drive!)

The corner speeds & straight line speeds were very close around the entire circuit - EXCEPT

Turn 1

MPS 75.76 kmph
GTI 69.43 kmph

Turn 8

MPS 58.66 kmph
GTI 53.78 kmph

Now that could be the DSG OR the ESP coming into play.

Lap times were 1.14.4 vs 1.15.2

[EndlessMKI]

Just looking at the article, there were also two different drivers as well (shouldn't make much difference as I know both of them & they can both drive!)

The corner speeds & straight line speeds were very close around the entire circuit - EXCEPT

Turn 1

MPS 75.76 kmph
GTI 69.43 kmph

Turn 8

MPS 58.66 kmph
GTI 53.78 kmph

Now that could be the DSG OR the ESP coming into play.

Lap times were 1.14.4 vs 1.15.2

that sort of gap around wakefield is quite significant.

does the MPS have a LSD of any sort like the GTI?

is turn8 the last turn or second last turn?

but then again theres no point comparing unless both cars are on the same tyres.

[philthy]

does the MPS have a LSD of any sort like the GTI?

Mechanical torque biasing diff

[pologti18t]

that sort of gap around wakefield is quite significant.

does the MPS have a LSD of any sort like the GTI?

is turn8 the last turn or second last turn?

but then again theres no point comparing unless both cars are on the same tyres.

MPS3 has a LSD

and WTF about the tyres? You test cars as they come from the manufacturer.

[Sharkie]

Interestingly to note is that at the end of the main straight the GTI was 3km/h faster .... this is a tribute to the DSG and how it put the power down coming out of the last corner ....

It is also here where you'd expect the MPS' superior power to shine through .... which it did NOT ...

SO I'd comfortably believe the ESP was responsible for the deficits around the other corners and ultimately then the slower lap time ....

[Corey_R]

Which may be true Sharkie. But if you can't turn it off, then that really doesn't matter then does it?

[MACCAA]

Ah lap times...a lot like Dyno figures.
Back in '05 Master Bates did 1.14.7 at Wakey in a GTI.
Luffy did 1.15.29 in a GT[not GTI] in '07
But in '08 Luffy twice ran a MPS.First time was 1.12.81,then 1.13.00
John Boston drove both cars on the track in the last test,resulting in a 1.14.4 for the MPS,and 1.15.2 for the GTI.
Lap times can vary by a second around Wakefield just with different weather conditions-even different time of the day.
So the MPS is quicker on the track,but the GTI is the better all-round drive.
I've driven enough of these cars on the track to satisfy me that's the case.
I've also seen enough of Luffy's driving of these cars to convince me he gets the most out of them of anyone I've seen.
Cheers
Len

[EndlessMKI]

MPS3 has a LSD

and WTF about the tyres? You test cars as they come from the manufacturer.

was simply outlining other considerations that should be taken into account if you want a better understanding of true performance.

Cheers,
Will.

[EndlessMKI]

Interestingly to note is that at the end of the main straight the GTI was 3km/h faster .... this is a tribute to the DSG and how it put the power down coming out of the last corner ....

It is also here where you'd expect the MPS' superior power to shine through .... which it did NOT ...

SO I'd comfortably believe the ESP was responsible for the deficits around the other corners and ultimately then the slower lap time ....

If their the corners I'm thinking of, those corners are the ones that dip away from the apex which would cause the ESP to kick in. Specially the last corner.

it's a real shame you can't turn it completely off though because you could be easily caught mid corner while the car is in full flight and you would not be able to adjust your direction using more throttle and less steering correction.

[pologti18t]

was simply outlining other considerations that should be taken into account if you want a better understanding of true performance.

Cheers,
Will.

But its not... manufacturers select a number of tyres they fit as standard to maximise what they see as important re: handling, grip, noise etc.

Switching to a "control" tyre could ultimately upset the handling of the car and decrease its handling capabilities.

[EndlessMKI]

But its not... manufacturers select a number of tyres they fit as standard to maximise what they see as important re: handling, grip, noise etc.

Switching to a "control" tyre could ultimately upset the handling of the car and decrease its handling capabilities.

Awesome! now I see where your coming from.

[masuri99]

It has been touched on before....the two cars (gti and mps) were tested on different days dry and drying track. Compare apples with apples i say!

I have a current UK car magazine on my coffee table. CAR PCOTY 2009 ISSUE 568 (WWW.CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK).

I have tried to download the link to the article for the performance car of the year (PCOTY) but ran into a brick wall...yes I had to part with some money!!!!!

Anyway there were 5 "hot hatches" on test.
The two elements of the test that I was interested in were the 0-62mph and lap times (Rockingham circuit UK).
VW GOLF GTI: 6.9sec/1:42.85
MAZDA MPS: 6.1 sec/1:42.00
FORD FOCUS RS: 5.9sec/1:40.09
SUBARU IMPREZA 330S: 4.8sec/1:39.51
HONDA CIVIC TYPE R MUGEN: 6.0sec/1:39.48

The GTI was chosen as the PCOTY hot hatch winner. It was slowest of the group but was the best of the above cars to drive in the real world.

Also notice the lap times of the MPS and GTI are very close.

On a different note:..I have just clocked up 1000km on the GTI!...I checked the tyre pressures at the servo tonight...they were at 42psi!...does that seem a little high?

Happy motoring!

David