Golf R iMotor Review

[bwen]

Oh I totally agree - some people will prefer the Audi S3 for particular reasons, other people will prefere the Golf R. I just don't think that because of the fact the LCT sits in between these two cars in Australia, whereas it doesn't in any other country, the S3 will never be as low cost as the Golf R will be here.

As for STI/EVO. I'm not really sure anyone discussing a Golf R or S3 would be seriously looking at one of them. I mean the WRX is already, as another member here says, a $20k car with a $20k engine. The STI / EVO is a $20k car with a $30k engine and another $10k in a handling package. The interior quality of those cars doesn't even compare to the base model Golf imo.

Agreed there, I think the 'younger' generation buy cars based more on the fact of what the brochure says then when you start getting a bit older and gone through a few cars you understand the benefits of having a lovely interior, smooth ride quality and build quality.

I just worry for the R-line when the R comes out, just like the R32, raw power wasn't everything they were after so the fact I'm worried about is that the R will be made to squeeze every last bit of power out of the engine rather than the lovely sound and ride that the predecessor had which made it so popular.

[Corey_R]

APR's Stage III tune for the R gives 300KW/500NM without any engine internals changed, and they even have a Stage IV tune in the works (for the GTI - but it's a similarish engine). So I don't think VW are spending too much time squeezing every last bit of power.

Having said that, it is only a 2L Turbo 4 cylinder, so I wouldn't expect it to have the same tonal characteristics of the 3.2L NA V6 of the R32.

But then again, I always liked the sound of the GTI - and the GTI with the APR Stage II kit was just awesome in its sound - so I don't think I'll find any issue with the Golf R

[Psyk]

As for STI/EVO. I'm not really sure anyone discussing a Golf R or S3 would be seriously looking at one of them. I mean the WRX is already, as another member here says, a $20k car with a $20k engine. The STI / EVO is a $20k car with a $30k engine and another $10k in a handling package. The interior quality of those cars doesn't even compare to the base model Golf imo.

I'm an Ex-STi owner and thoroughly enjoyed the ownership of that car despite it's interior. Although there many who liven up the interior with plenty of aftermarket kit with money saved on buying cheap (relativley) performance upgrades and tuning...

The R32/R20 could easily be called a $50K car with $10K of performance enhancements.... making the STi/EVO base-car to performance ratio that much more appealing to the same demographic buyer as an R20/R32 buyer - that demographic of buyer could easily compromise interior for performance/tuneing potential. The EVO MR comes with Bluetooth, Satnav, parking sensors, keyless entry, Sequential shift manual, Xenons etc.

Oh and the EVO, now backs the TMR Bathurst Edition (upgrade to 246kw/436nm) with standard Mitsubishi warranty and serviceable at Mitsubishi dealerships (that sell EVO's)

With that said, I can't wait for the R. It will be nice to bring in additional competition for the EVO/STi (and S3) camp. With Volkswagen formally announcing an R Division, we should see some more exciting things coming from VW. Hopefully they'll compete in some local events to get the brand image up.

[Corey_R]

Oh definitely - you could call the R a $50k car with 10k of performance enhancements... but the $50k car it's based on (the GTI) is well known as the 'best all round "hot hatch" in the world' - hence why it always takes out the awards even when compared to WRX's, Meganes, Civic Type-R's etc.

All I'm saying is, the Golf R is still a much more balanced combination.

Having said that, I do realise that the EVO/STi have made large improvements on interior quality in their latest models - but they still fall short compared to the Euro's - even though they're also now pretty much priced equally against them. There was that Motor (?) comparison of the S3 vs EVO vs STI and they awarded it to the S3, even though it was the most expensive and slowest in the comparison. The summary was basically that the other two are cheaper and faster, but the S3 is in a difference class, and that maybe the comparison isn't fair, but it's Subaru and Mitsubishi that are claiming they are as good as the Euro's so it's their own fault that these comparisons are being made and they don't live up to the promises.