Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[andrew7]

WJ, loving your Mk7 updates. Is the Mk7 GTI on a similar timeline to the R?

[Buller_Scott]

I definately should have bought a GTI.

Or that Megane thing that won an award

as an overall package, it's pretty damn hard to beat VW's if you like them warm/hot. im a huge fan of the GTI and the R - you can have your fun, and yet they are awesomely practical and comfortable daily-drive-cum-weapons.

it would be misinformed to think that, in the context of performance, either are a threat to the megane, though.

[Candyman]

I was joking btw

[Buller_Scott]

I was joking btw

i know. i was just saying... some peeps dismiss the megane because it's not as.... well, it's not as "everywhere on the roads" like a mazda 3 or a corolla or a golf....

[WhiteJames]

Now I have an iPad-3, I'm a lot more connected re: digital online magazines for updates on Golf MK7. Golf GTI MK7 is due for release at Geneva Motor Show in March 2013 with build to commence shortly after. This means that Australia will most probably release MK7 GTI 6 mths later around Oct 2013 with Golf R following another 6 mths later, around May 2014. My two biggest gripes with Volkswagen, okay three if you count that they don't tune suspension for local AUS conditions, is that 1) VW needs a 5 year warranty; 2) Availability of stock. It's okay for Holden to have option by option on the Holden Cruze as per Volkswagen as the Cruze can be built and delivered in 3-4 weeks. This limits excess floor stock and cuts down on holding costs for dealerships. It takes Volkswagen 6 months with the same methodology of option by option specification as cars are coming from overseas. I'm not saying VW should limit options, only that they can bundle options together in packages ... Standard, Sports, Luxury and Sports/Luxury. I don't like the thought of waiting another 6 mths for a specifically optioned Golf GTI MK7. Apart from that, I'd serously look at the Toyobaru FT86/BRZ as an affordable drivers vehicle in lieu of Volkswagen ... although it would be difficult to give up the quality, refinement and low down torque of the VW.
Cheers.
WJ

[Buller_Scott]

Apart from that, I'd serously look at the Toyobaru FT86/BRZ as an affordable drivers vehicle in lieu of Volkswagen ... although it would be difficult to give up the quality, refinement and low down torque of the VW.
Cheers.
WJ

that's what the world is saying, and it's a hugely anticipated car, but for people who have been VAG mainstays, and for people who have bought their first "performance" car in a VAG awd/fwd, do you reckon the oversteery rear drive of the 86/brz will catch quite a few people out?

[WhiteJames]

Would a FT86/BRZ catch a few people out? Depends on skill level & judgement of driver. For the old school, probably not. For the inexperienced or reckless ... yes. FT86/BRZ conjures up images of the Eastern Creek & Fairburn Skid Pan Days where you can go out in a controlled environment and have a bit of fun by steering from the rear. Generally ... I can't see any reason other than mud or snow as to why you'd want to disable the traction control completely on the public roadway. Additionally ... the Toyobaru has a torque sensing diff & linear torqueless power band ... both of which are progressive in nature offering the driver plenty of feedback. Just read the Autocar.co.uk online review of the BRZ -v- 370Z -v- MX5 ... BRZ leaves the other two for dead for driver involvement, with the 370Z losing composure near the limit and the MX5 feeling blunt compared to the BRZ. Having said that ... the MK7 Golf GTI would still be the best all-rounder for a one car family.
Cheers.
WJ

[SilvrFoxX]

i know. i was just saying... some peeps dismiss the megane because it's not as.... well, it's not as "everywhere on the roads" like a mazda 3 or a corolla or a golf....

I think the Megane will become the best 2nd hand car buy of the century, it will be worth $10 grand in 2 years .. what a buy

[Candyman]

It has to make it to two years first

[team_v]

Just to bump up the mix there is talk of a STI BRZ with 250HP and a better torque curve.

Add to this the fact HKS have already developed a supercharger kit for the Toyota 86 and you have some pretty powerful light weight cars with RWD.

[AdamD]

Just to bump up the mix there is talk of a STI BRZ with 250HP and a better torque curve.

250hp is speculative. There's also the claim it won't be turbocharged. I'd seriously doubt the torque curve from a normally aspirated road-tuned 2.0l that puts out 250hp is going to make it more drivable as a daily - S2000 anyone? At any rate, it still won't hold a candle to a GTI or R in the driveability stakes.

[WhiteJames]

Americans and the Golf R

Toyota and Subaru are being smart about the FT86/BRZ twins in that they release a simple vehicle that easily passes ADR requirements & manufacturers OE stringent tests, and then release a whole heap of OEM performance aftermarket-products that required less R&D and bypass the ADR and OEM products, within reason, with great profit margins to boot ... watch out aftermarket performance tuners ... everybody is on the aftermarket accessory boat .... BMW M-Sport range, Volkswagen Driver Gear Accessories, FPV, Walkinshaw, now Toyota TRD and Subaru STI gear.

On a side note ... if the motortrend.com youtube.com channel ignition was not enough for you ... here's another recent release from head-2-head on the Golf R -v- EVO X:

Volkswagen Golf R vs Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - Head 2 Head Episode 5 - YouTube

Edit: I sure that most reviews indicate that the battery is where a turbocharger would be placed on the FT86/BRZ twins. Supercharging for this vehicle is the way to go, with reports that Toyota is developing their own supercharger for the FT86 for release later on and aftermarket TRD gear. TRD will also have a mechanical diff rather than torque-bias factory diff as an option for drifters. Same deal with suspension, coilovers, thicker sway bars all from TRD as Toyota OEM.

Cheers.
WJ

[Candyman]

EVO vs R review

Irrelevant here - USA review. TC and ESP can be turned off in the local R from 2012 on

Anyway, rather buy an Atom for track and the R for a daily.

Re the Subaru, ugly, 2WD only, Subaru's famous cheap interior - manufacturer has already said not enough room in the engine bay for turbo or SC and that the engine is not suited for this type of modification. Fail. Ray would be better buying a crappy R.

[team_v]

EVO vs R review

Irrelevant here - USA review. TC and ESP can be turned off in the local R from 2012 on

Anyway, rather buy an Atom for track and the R for a daily.

Re the Subaru, ugly, 2WD only, Subaru's famous cheap interior - manufacturer has already said not enough room in the engine bay for turbo or SC. Fail.

I was under hte impression that turning off ESP completely will also turn off ABS or so I have read?????

In relation to the small engine bay size for the BRZ/86, how hard would it be to relocate the battery to the boot and then fit in a turbo.
The only real surprise is why hyundai didn't release the genesis here before these 2 get their nose in.

Also, RWD in alight weight vehicle is quite a potent mix (lotus anyone??) so don't discount is just becasue it isn't AWD.

[Candyman]

2At any rate, it still won't hold a candle to a GTI or R in the driveability stakes.

The Subaru doesn't come close to the GTI/R in any area. Isnt this a GTI vs R thread

The Megane and Subaru have more in common - ugly, rubbish interiors. promise much and deliver much less. Ray needs one of these two.