MOTOR Hot Tuner Challenge

[Beena]

I assume everyone has rushed out to get their copy of Motor this month, mine arrived in the mail yesterday!

It's a good read, with our beloved VW's holding their own against some power houses.

What I do wonder though, Guy, is how different would the results/times have been if the R was a DSG? I won't discuss the particulars until everyone has had a chance to read it, there's still Part 2 (cars $75k-150k) and Part 3 (over $150k) to come.

I'm interested to see how my current love (a Lotus Elise) compares to the R - I ordered my R last week, its coming in that dec/Jan shipment. It was a dealer stock order that was already in the system modified to my spec. It will be interesting changing to a car twice as heavy!

[REXman]

I'm interested to see how my current love (a Lotus Elise) compares to the R - I ordered my R last week, its coming in that dec/Jan shipment. It was a dealer stock order that was already in the system modified to my spec. It will be interesting changing to a car twice as heavy!

Hey nice work on ordering an MKVI Golf, It will definitely be heavier and no where near as nimble as your elise, but it sure will sound better, and they have aircon!!

[Beena]

I don't know about the sound... The 2bular exhaust on the Elise pops, crackles and bangs with the best of them - especially when hot!

And with my car being an 08, it has all the mod cons - A/C, power windows, stereo, one way adjustable drivers seat... Fixed passenger seat... And that's it, yep, pretty much all the mod cons.

[Corey_R]

What I do wonder though, Guy, is how different would the results/times have been if the R was a DSG?

I haven't seen the article yet. But we've had a forum member with proper timing gear and a Stage I DSG R (so just the software update, nothing else done) do a 0 to 100 in 4.68 second. The car was not yet full broken in either. The Stage III has an additional 75kw and 80Nm over the Stage I, or 31.25% and 18.4%, so I'd expect the DSG version of a Stage III would definitely be somewhere between 4 and 4.4 seonds 0 to 100...

[Beena]

That was my thinking too. And an S3 in the test confirmed that with dsg (sorry - 's-tronic') and basic mods (ecu/exhaust).

Check the article and let me know what you think, my feeling is there is a lot more to be had from a Stage 3 with DSG

[Corey_R]

Yeah - that S3 in the test is another forum member here.....

[Beena]

Btw - my intention is not for this to become a Manual vs DSG thread! We saw what happened to that one...

Just interested in Guys feedback on the testing proceedure and driving abilities of the journo's/drivers.

[Banzai]

Hey nice work on ordering an MKVI Golf, It will definitely be heavier and no where near as nimble as your elise, but it sure will sound better, and they have aircon!!

As an owner of both an Elise and a MkV1 GTI, the Elise definitely sounds a helluva lot better. I used to have air-con in the Elise but I removed it. Even as a daily driver I only used the a/c about 4 times a year and that was mostly to quickly de-fog the windscreen.

I can also honestly say the Elise is a nicer, more comfortable, more ergonomic daily driver than the Golf. The Golf is way too soft, the steering over-assisted and brakes over-boosted but it is better than just about everything else available and is available as a three door.

I have no intention of selling my Elise, I'm just making it even more track focussed.

[REXman]

Fair enough sound can be subjective. But from the models I have seen when I was interested in those cars, they're just Toyota Celica engines, 140kw aren't they? Hardly the best sounding motor.

I will give it best handler award. I just can't get into corolla engines with an exhuast in light cars.

[Banzai]

Fair enough sound can be subjective. But from the models I have seen when I was interested in those cars, they're just Toyota Celica engines, 140kw aren't they? Hardly the best sounding motor.

I will give it best handler award. I just can't get into corolla engines with an exhuast in light cars.

Fortunately mine started life with a Rover motor but it now has a Honda K20A Engine. VTEC Yo! Both engines sound better than the Toyota motors but I have heard quite a few Toyota-powered cars with good intake and exhaust noise. Factory standard is bland to meet ADRs but I don't think anyone with an Elise keeps factory exhaust for more than a few months after purchase.
A friend's naturally aspirated Exige. It sounds bloody good.

My Honda-Powered Elise with old exhaust.

With new exhaust from the inside at Wakefield Park. The Orange Exige is also naturally aspirated but lightly modified.

[Guy_H]

I have not got my copy of the magazine yet, so have not seen the results (should get it today).

DSG would have been an easy second quicker in the 0-100 & 1/4 mile - we new that from the outset - the DSG S3 kicked our bum in that stuff.

We also had both our cars setup for the track, both were running 3 degrees front camber, so straight line drag take off was compromised by tyre contact patch.

One other comment from a test driver was the Golf R struggled to get third gear in the acceleration runs. Then it was pointed out that the car had 1500km's on it from new & the gearbox was really tight.

Anyway, hopefully we will get it today & see how we fared!

P.S. - That Elise was a weapon. Mind you it was a big handful in the wet.

[Banzai]

IMHO the manual GTI really needs a short shift. The length of the throw is huge. Side-to-side is good. I assume the R has the same sort of shift.

[hooba]

IMHO the manual GTI really needs a short shift. The length of the throw is huge. Side-to-side is good. I assume the R has the same sort of shift.

I found the feel of the manual box in both the R and the GTI to be identical.

[Beena]

I have not got my copy of the magazine yet, so have not seen the results (should get it today).

DSG would have been an easy second quicker in the 0-100 & 1/4 mile - we new that from the outset - the DSG S3 kicked our bum in that stuff.

We also had both our cars setup for the track, both were running 3 degrees front camber, so straight line drag take off was compromised by tyre contact patch.

One other comment from a test driver was the Golf R struggled to get third gear in the acceleration runs. Then it was pointed out that the car had 1500km's on it from new & the gearbox was really tight.

Anyway, hopefully we will get it today & see how we fared!

P.S. - That Elise was a weapon. Mind you it was a big handful in the wet.

Well it seems regardless of the acceleration runs, the Golf R kicked arse round the track!

It'll be interesting to see how it fares against the big boys - the 75k+ cars. Unfortunately we have to wait for the next issue to see that one.

I'm keen to see how the Elise fared too - I'm looking forward to a back to back! I'm sure my turbo DSG Golf will be quicker in a straight line, but in the corners...

[Beena]

Fortunately mine started life with a Rover motor but it now has a Honda K20A Engine. VTEC Yo! Both engines sound better than the Toyota motors but I have heard quite a few Toyota-powered cars with good intake and exhaust noise. Factory standard is bland to meet ADRs but I don't think anyone with an Elise keeps factory exhaust for more than a few months after purchase.

True, the standard exhaust is a bit boring... but with a good exhaust crackling behind your head it's fantastic!

I do love the Elise, but the need to carry bikes, ski's and more people means I need something bigger and roomier. The ute does a reasonable job, but is a bit boring and still carries just 2.

Banzai - do you happen to go by the same name on the LotusTalk forums?