Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[brimway]

While other makers are going for flowing curvy lines, VW are going for the angular look. At least they look different to the current offerings from Hyundai/Kia/Subaru/Mazda/Toyota (Corolla).

[WhiteJames]

Volkswagen Golf styling has always been on the conservative side. MK7 is an evolution of that design style, while other makes are adding in a bit more style ... even the South Korean hatches. The Golf MK7 may look better in the flesh than in pics. Pedestrian safety with tall bonnets & sloping front windshields ain't doing modern cars any favours. Also causes more sun to enter the cabin making for less comfort for occupants & harder working aircon. Post #38 on page 2 has some more real like pics of the MK7:

mk7 gt tdi with bbs ck 19 anthracite - Page 2 - GOLFMK7 - VW GTI MKVII Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVII Forum

Then again ... a good set of wheels can make any vehicle look good.

Cheers.
WJ

[AdamD]

I can cope with all of that, the detail I am definitely not sold on is the plastic strakes in the front dam around the fog light area.

I agree, not sold on that look. Orient Express did something similar with his Mk6 years ago:



If I go for a Golf next time, I may well get an R rather than a GTI, and I suspect that these contentious styling features (headlight line, strakes, wheels) will either be not present, or quite different. Hope so anyway.

[Dutch77]

Post #38 on page 2 has some more real like pics of the MK7:

mk7 gt tdi with bbs ck 19 anthracite - Page 2 - GOLFMK7 - VW GTI MKVII Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVII Forum

That works - and while the non-GTI front is cleaner without the weird strakes, it still seems overly fussy given how cut-back/pure the rest of the design is.

As Adam suggested the R will most likely 'fix' this flaw and may be something I look at down the track. If the GTI is priced more sharply (or more likely better optioned) then the R would need to follow and may remain in the picture. Other choices to consider as well, although thats better covered in the mk7 thread.

In the mean time more than happy with what my GTI brings to the table.

[Lemonskin]

Me either. Looks like a cheap afterthought.

[SilvrFoxX]

Re: Golf R -v- Golf GTI

Should I ask how many GTI owners are seriously considering the R next time round. It would make this thread redundant, Moreso

[Whistler]

Should I ask how many GTI owners are seriously considering the R next time round. It would make this thread redundant, Moreso

...and how many R owners will consider the A45 AMG Merc. 265kw stock sounds tasty!

[shinygti]

Golf R -v- Golf GTI

I would love one!

[Dutch77]

Should I ask how many GTI owners are seriously considering the R next time round. It would make this thread redundant, Moreso

I'd count myself as someone seriously considering the mk7 R.. it will come down to the final specs and the final price (and how each car is optioned as standard). However in the mean time looking forward to working on my GTI, so the mk7 decision - or alternative - can be put off for a few years now.

However I make spur of the moment and sometimes stupid decisions with cars so I could just as easily end up in an R in 12 months (release date permitting).

[WhiteJames]

The MK7 Golf R will be more appealing due to addition of the EA888 motor. A diesel R version would also be appealing. Hopefully VAG have managed to sit the EA888 motor in the MK7 Golf R lower in the engine bay than the MK6 Golf R with the MK7 motor sitting further rearward & canted backwards a'la std Golf range for improve handling dynamics. Issues with the MK7 Golf R could be ... EA888 lack of top end shove (which doesn't appeal to me anyway), electronic haldex diff may not be as reliable long-term as a proper mechanical diff as electronics only have a certain amount of life. Yes ... mechanical diffs do loosen up, but electronic devices don't have lead in them these days to ensure longivity - this also applies to the GTI Power Pack with electronic/mechanical front diff re: longevity & reliability. Too many Golf R owners have had issues with their DSG software false neutrals ... now VAG is adding extra electronics & software in the drivetrain. An electronic front and/or rear diff in the MK7 Golf R would help limit traditional AWD understeer to a degree - something very prevalent in the MK6 Golf R. Golf R appears not to have lost enough weight from MK6 to MK7: Thought the Golf R petrol version would weigh in at 1400kgs or a tad less in MK7 guise - 1445kgs seems a tad to heavy for a MK7 Golf R/Audi S3. A Carbon roofed limited edition Golf GTI could be the one to go for with another 20-40kgs shaved off the top end of the vehicle, helping reduce the CoG and weight.

Cheers.
WJ

[SilvrFoxX]

Re: Golf R -v- Golf GTI

I struggle to understand why the engine would make the R more appealing. It is a package deal and you either like the top end performance and awd over the GTI or you are satisfied with what the GTI has to offer.

[AdamD]

I struggle to understand why the engine would make the R more appealing. It is a package deal and you either like the top end performance and awd over the GTI or you are satisfied with what the GTI has to offer.

I think WhiteJames is referring to the driveability benefits of the new engine, although none of us have yet driven an EA888 with a K04, so everything's very speculative at this point.

I'm considering a Mk7 R for my next car (usually change cars every 5 years or so), although it'll be dependent on the drive. I'm not automatically going to choose one model over another based solely on the premise of more top-end power and AWD. Weight, agility, responsiveness off idle and fun factor are important considerations for me, so I'll reserve judgement until I've driven both models.

[SilvrFoxX]

Re: Golf R -v- Golf GTI

Kind of moot really as the experience is not going to be that dissimilar to the current R, it is very different to a fwd and was the deciding factor for my purchase.

[WhiteJames]

When is the Golf R going to manage 67.3mpg?

Enter new Golf GTD: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ge...f-gtd-revealed

Only 1302kg in weight.
That's 143kg less than the new Audi S3 (read MK7 Golf R).
We know what that means ... the new MK7 Golf GTI is most likely going to weigh ... you guessed it ... 1300kgs approx.

Cheers.
WJ

[Whistler]

Should I ask how many GTI owners are seriously considering the R next time round. It would make this thread redundant, Moreso

Also wonder how many current GTI owners might snap up a bargain 2nd hand mk vi R once the early adopters start selling thier Rs for a new mk vii.
Think I might sell mine soon to beat the inevitable price slump once the vii is out