Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[EndlessMKI]

does anyone know if the front bumpers on the R vs gti are interchangeable?.......also would the change cause any heating issues on the R?

[WhiteJames]

Damp Conditions: FWD/EDL/XDS -v- AWD/EDL

In terms of EDL/XDS technology on the Mark 6 Golf GTI and its improved grip levels; below is a video of a chipped Golf GTI drag racing a std Golf R. At first you notice the instant punch of the chipped-up Golf GTI. Have a second look at the video and you notice that the drag race begins on a wet roadway, which appears to improve to a damp roadway by the tail end of the race. The grip levels on the Mark 6 Golf GTI have improved considerably over the earlier MKV GTI model.

YouTube - Golf R cameracar (stock) vs. Golf GTI (chip) Björkvik 29 Maj Sweden

Cheers
WJ

[WhiteJames]

A review by The Australian Newspaper:

More power to you | The Australian

GTD and Golf R.

Cheers.
WJ

[hooba]

In terms of EDL/XDS technology on the Mark 6 Golf GTI and its improved grip levels; below is a video of a chipped Golf GTI drag racing a std Golf R. At first you notice the instant punch of the chipped-up Golf GTI. Have a second look at the video and you notice that the drag race begins on a wet roadway, which appears to improve to a damp roadway by the tail end of the race. The grip levels on the Mark 6 Golf GTI have improved considerably over the earlier MKV GTI model.

YouTube - Golf R cameracar (stock) vs. Golf GTI (chip) Björkvik 29 Maj Sweden

Thanks for posting that!

The thing I noticed was how good does the GTI look with the 18" Detroits?!

[G-rig]

Thanks for posting that!

The thing I noticed was how good does the GTI look with the 18" Detroits?!

Looks a lot better than the R with 18" and even the 19" wheels could be better style.

[Corey_R]

In terms of EDL/XDS technology on the Mark 6 Golf GTI and its improved grip levels; below is a video of a chipped Golf GTI drag racing a std Golf R. At first you notice the instant punch of the chipped-up Golf GTI. Have a second look at the video and you notice that the drag race begins on a wet roadway, which appears to improve to a damp roadway by the tail end of the race. The grip levels on the Mark 6 Golf GTI have improved considerably over the earlier MKV GTI model.

YouTube - Golf R cameracar (stock) vs. Golf GTI (chip) Björkvik 29 Maj Sweden

Cheers
WJ

lol... it's a rolling start at 50kph. The advantage of AWD is already lost there. If these were two Stage III cars (R vs GTI), THEN a rolling start at 50kph would have been interesting.
I'd say the reason they did a 50kph rolling start is because it was wet... if they did a drag from standstill, the GTI would have instantly been left behind, and then the video would be boring because you wouldn't see the other car!!

[dave_r]

lol... it's a rolling start at 50kph. The advantage of AWD is already lost there.

Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!

[WhiteJames]

EA888 -v- EA113

In drawing distinction between the older EA113 motor and the new EA888 motor, I proffer this video of an acceleration test between an older chipped-up MKV Golf GTI and new std Golf R:

YouTube - Golf R vs Golf Gti

Noteable difference between the EA888 Mark 6 and EA113 Mark 5 GTI's.

I'll also post the thread associated with the first video re: Red chipped-up Mark 6 Golf GTI -v- Golf R, but before doing so, the driver of the Golf R, Daniel from Scandanavia, gets a little cheesed off when people tell him he's alsleep at the wheel:

Hi!

By chance, i stumbled over the vids at this forum looking for Golf R mods..

I am the driver of the R, did a couple of races against my friends GTI, and theres some facts you´re all missing...

1. Im not asleep, the GTI does a slightly jumpstart.. in other races with synchronized starts i overtake him at the end with about 2-3 car lengths.. The GTI is fast, no doubt about that...

2. I started at second gear with revs about 5000rpm... if you listen to the sound you can hear all the gear changes upp to sixth gear (0:42 in the movie in about 220km/h...)

AWD isn't everything

I intially thought that the Golf R was off boost - not the case - its revving at 5,000rpm in 2nd gear. I'm agreeing with you guys in that the FWD GTI could be difficult to launch off the line and its clear that the Golf R has it trumped in the top end department (220kph+). Doing race starts from the traffic lights or travelling in excess of 200kph on public roadways ain't much use to me in my daily travels. Mid-range driveability & useability is where it all happens as a daily driver - in this regard, the Mark 6 Golf GTI is all business - recall my tractability test in the original post.

Cheers
WJ

[Corey_R]

But WhiteJames, you keep on selecting videos where there are rolling starts.

We already know (well, people should) that the advantage of AWD is in situations where the acceleration exceeds the grip available between the tyres and the road. Accelerating away at 90kph or even 50kph is not going to exceed the grip of any competent tyre even on a damp road with cars as good as GTI's and R's.

As you have noted elsewhere, an advantage of the AWD in the Golf R on twisty roads is the balance of the car and chassis, and that's a great thing. But when you're talking about "drag races", the ONLY advantage is from a stand still. In fact, the videos you are showing demonstrate the Golf R at a disadvantage - it's carrying an extra 120kg that it doesn't need to be - because the AWD isn't being utilised in these cases.

[G-rig]

AWD is mainly an advantage if you are launching it at the lights, on the track and in wet conditions.. nothing wrong with the acceleration of a modded GTI when rolling - will still be lighter and less drive train loss.

[elisiX]

The debate will never end and it will continue to be fought out using bias reviews and people defending their choices. At the end of the day, both have thier advantages and on paper the R looks to be a clear winner. In reality, they are much closer than the paper suggests - particularly for day to day use on the street. Take the R to the track, dump it in the wet and burn off a P plater at the lights and you will make use of the differences. However if your driving to work, dont care about bragging rights and dont care about traffic light GP, then the GTI is more than sufficient and holds its own.

[Maverick]

AWD is mainly an advantage if you are launching it at the lights, on the track and in wet conditions.. nothing wrong with the acceleration of a modded GTI when rolling - will still be lighter and less drive train loss.

I do recall your R32 sucking on my exhaust fumes a few times at the traffic light gp so AWD isn't always needed at the lights

[G-rig]

I do recall your R32 sucking on my exhaust fumes a few times at the traffic light gp so AWD isn't always needed at the lights

LOL... that wasn't even a race.. The R32 gets away quick but runs out of puff plus it was manual which made it a bit slow as well. The GTI is a bit more exciting anyway but the grip was quite good.

[WhiteJames]

Recaro Seats + DCC

Recaro Seats + Dynamic Chassis Control:

The Recaro seat option on the Golf R is a love/hate relationship. Hate that they don’t come with side airbags. Love the support that they give. I’ve driven a few R32’s with the Recaro race seats – one in particular on a suspension comparison which involved about an hour in the saddle – no complaints of discomfort, even on rougher tarmac.

In respect to the missing side airbag – I guess it relates to what type of driving is involved: City driving may provide a greater chance of side impact rather long distance touring, where head on collisions can often result. City driving does not necessitate the extra support provided by the race seats, tourist/country commuting or track time would create the need for extra side support.

Last drive from Sydney to Queanbeyan/Canberra with a day trip thrown in from Canberra to Batemans Bay involved running the Golf GTI - DCC suspension setting in Sport mode for about 90% of the trip. DCC Sport makes for firmer steering & improved cornering ability, which can test the limits of the side bolsters of the std GTI seats with the driver leaning harder into them in addition to gripping the steering wheel harder (greater resistance of Sport steering mode compensates for this). I found that the cloth seats do provide marginally more support & comfort than the leather seats in the old MKV GTI. At times, I felt that I could do with some added support of the Recaro seats. This usually occurred during the mountain climbs and descents, esp. in dry conditions where grip levels are higher. The only other issues with the Recaro seats is that the seat belt can be difficult to grasp due to the wrap around shoulder section of the Recaro seat & limited market come resale time.

Cheers
WJ

[pologti18t]

Why can't VW supply Recaros WITH side airbags? Renault do....