Golf GTI Edition 35

[DoggieHowser]

From the videos I saw, it didn't look that awful. It borrows some styling cues from the new 5 series which I thought was a nice looking car.

The bonnet is longer than the Golf's but I imagine an inline six could probably fit in there....mmmm

Well, from all reports, it will be a fun car to drive. Isn't that your yardstick?

[triode12]

From the videos I saw, it didn't look that awful. It borrows some styling cues from the new 5 series which I thought was a nice looking car.

The bonnet is longer than the Golf's but I imagine an inline six could probably fit in there....mmmm

Well, from all reports, it will be a fun car to drive. Isn't that your yardstick?

While it is the top of my list, the way the car looks also plays a part in the decision. Based on the looks of the new 1 series...No thanks! Much rather drive a 9N Pog than one of those.

Incidently, I test drove an EVO X yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. It was fun to drive (there was a feeling of speed) and the suspension wasn't as harsh as I thought it would be. The interior and fit/finish was rubbish though esp for a $70K car.

[DoggieHowser]

My gripe was that the X lost the 6 speed manual option. 5 speed wasn't really enough if u do a fair amount of highways on commutes. And the SST wasn't as fun. Or as robust.

[triode12]

My gripe was that the X lost the 6 speed manual option. 5 speed wasn't really enough if u do a fair amount of highways on commutes. And the SST wasn't as fun. Or as robust.

I didn't test drive the SST model but the 5 spd manual was easy to use and changes were smooth. Perhaps Mitsubshi didn't think that people would use the car as a daily driver so dropped the 6 spd manual.

I had a look at the Ralliart with SST (they didn't have an MR to test) and the paddles are fixed to the steering wheel shaft. So you can't keep both hands on the wheel while turning if you plan to change gears unlike our Golfs.

[DoggieHowser]

Neither do Ferraris.

[Corey_R]

yeah... but ferrari's paddles are really large and cover a far greater circumference of the wheel... greater than even the aftermarket S2TPP DSG paddles...

[triode12]

Neither do Ferraris.

Too bad for Ferrari owners then.

[DoggieHowser]

From my understanding of why they are designed this way: changing gears while you are turning causes traction to be lost for a split second and potentially, it can disrupt the stability of the car. And also for consistency, otherwise you might lose track of which way is left when you turn the wheel

That said, I do recall one track in Japan where all the drives shift mid turn, so for their modded GTR, MatchCarRacing installed their own paddles which allowed the paddles to move with the wheel and they claimed they saved a split second off their hot lap on that track.

Anyway, I have no wish to take this fully off topic.

I do like the Ed35 but I think without any discounts, I suspect it gets into very murky ground pricing wise, especially with some new cars on the horizon. The new Focus RS/ST with a turbocharged 2.0l is also going to be an interesting mix.

[JPanDAX]

Yeah I must say I'm not a fan of it! Golf is better looking IMO. 125kw pfft!


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- Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DoggieHowser]

Both the Focus and 1 series will have a 200+bhp 2.0l turbocharged variants.

[Molotov]

For anyone interested, the current UK Edition of Topgear Magazine has a brief blurb (starting on page 122) of the Golf GTI 35 Edition. It's not a very contextual review because it's teamed up with Supercars and its nearest 'rival' in the field is the BMW 1M. Sounds like they managed to set the brakes on fire though!

Meanwhile, I notice VWA has dropped the price of the entry level Jetta (see SMH today) by $4,000. VWA would have made an absolute mint on the $A currency appreciation over the last few years notwithstanding the dip in 08-09. The Jetta seems a bit like the unloved step-child in the VWA range so it was probably a relatively easy and painless decision. Now if only you guys would stop buying the performance models for a few months...

[SilvrFoxX]

Why should we stop buying the performance models, they are what has the character and soul of modern cars.. argueably this is why the GTI has such a strong following as it has all the foibles which folk enjoy and make the drive an involved experience.

[triode12]

Why should we stop buying the performance models, they are what has the character and soul of modern cars.. argueably this is why the GTI has such a strong following as it has all the foibles which folk enjoy and make the drive an involved experience.

I believe Molotov was being facetious and that his suggestion to boycott the performance models was so that VWA would drop their prices to stimulate demand (like they did for the Jetta). i.e. cheaper GTIs and Rs.

[Molotov]

Correct! Specifically so that I can afford one!

[Ideo]

Correct! Specifically so that I can afford one!

Nah. It's more important that us owners feel smug and self important