Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - First Edition

[THE_EGG]

Have you seen the new 135i?



I've seen better looking things in the change rooms of a plus size clothing store

Yeh agreed lol. I also saw a fifth gear review on youtube and they said how it had one of the hardest suspension setups they have driven. This would probably result in broken vertabrate when used on Australian roads.

[hentaiboy]

Have you seen the new 135i?

I've seen better looking things in the change rooms of a plus size clothing store

Not bad with BMW racing stipes

[DoggieHowser]

Not bad with BMW racing stipes

Ditto. I thought the regular 1 series had a look only its mother could love

But the M version does look like the bidness

[alebonau]

not sure on 135i, but think direct golf competition as in hot hatch, particularly 5 dr BMW equivalent would be the recently launched 125i

2L turbo charged, 160kw/310NM sipping 6.6 L/100

and 0-100 in 6.4 sec

pricing $50k on the road bog standard so not really same price bracket to the gti and yeah option up and as silly or more silly than where the golf gets !

[JedR32]

Not bad with BMW racing stipes

I wish they were bringing the X-drive version to Australia that would be awesome!

[jrgti]

not sure on 135i, but think direct golf competition as in hot hatch, particularly 5 dr BMW equivalent would be the recently launched 125i

2L turbo charged, 160kw/310NM sipping 6.6 L/100

and 0-100 in 6.4 sec

pricing $50k on the road bog standard so not really same price bracket to the gti and yeah option up and as silly or more silly than where the golf gets !

I have to admit that is very impressive fuel economy and performance given the power/torque squeezed out of that 4 pot. Definately will give the new golf gti a run for it's money. The fuel tank capacity is 52 litres, 3 litres less than the current golf range (minus R), but that is all it needs as this equates to about just over a theoretical range of 800kms per tank. Too bad the looks don't suit my taste and that automatic comes with 8 speeds!

[Ideo]

A mate of mine is moving back to Scotland in July. Has just ordered one.

[elephino]

I had a drive of the 125i. Performance is lacklustre until you hit the Sport button. Then it feels slightly quicker than the current GTI (as expected).

Handling is definitely better, ride is ok, space though is a problem. There's very little elbow room. It's not that things are that much closer, but I found everything at the wrong height. It meant the door arm rest was at elbow height, as was the centre armrest leading to an arms up position that would be uncomfortable with the manual gearbox. Not really an issue for the auto.

As mentioned above, the options list is crazy but the $7k M Sport package seems good value.

[sbowden]

If Opel continue their fine tradition of producing visually appealing but unreliable cars, then it will be a case of "looks great, but don't buy one" when the Astra/Corsa/Insignia make it here later this year..

I've owned an Astra and a Vectra... electrics (post-warranty) are a bit hit & miss...unidentified limp-homes, engine sensors, door-locks, window-motors...the list goes on

I'm looking forward to the Ford Focus ST... we have an XR5 at the moment, which is my wife's and we love it. Certainly not the refinement of my Golf, but a great performer at the price. If the new ST is the same value for money, she'll be lining up for one this Christmas... I want her to try a manual GTi, but can't get her to love the seats in my sports-pack 118TSi, and the GTi has near-as-same chairs...

SB

[alebonau]

its the styling of the fords that is just completely off the planet I reckon. while golf is the ultimate of understatement the ford focus with its go fast bits slapped on everywhere seems very much other end of spectrum. depends kind of look chasing I guess

that said the seats in golfs can definitely do better. see what have done with the two tone scirocco and gives some ideas could even subltly improve the searing of the gti, though perhaps would go against tradition ....

[sbowden]

yeah, I know what you mean about the go-fast bits... but we'll be getting white, so shouldn't be too lairy. Wife likes the look of the current XR5, but we're yet to see the ST in the flesh. It will be a shame to say goodbye to that beautiful throaty induction noise from the T5... but I wont' miss seeing the fuel gauge plumet at the same time!!

[PGS_AUS]

Its interesting.

There's three big things I miss from my XR5 that the R I traded it in on I don't think "does" as well. Firstly the seats. While comfortable the R seats don't grip as well laterally in my mind. Secondly the general engine induction and exhaust noise isn't quite as rousing and thirdly I have on a couple of occassions missed the much better boot space though I knew that was going to be a bit of a compromise going into the R.

I am still astounded though that the R gets so much better fuel economy that the XR5 in day to day driving and the Rs outright grip is always inspiring (though perhaps not as much outright fun to drive ) . Having read the various local and overseas preliminary reveiws of the ST I can't help but think that perhaps the R may not stay with me quite as long as I had intended (or that perhaps I should have bought an RS when I looked at one 19 months ago - though the thought of $56K for a Focus still frightens me)

[sbowden]

GTI Mk VII still ticking all the boxes for me....

I've just read the Wheels Magazine preview of the Focus ST. it sounds exciting, a worthy replacement for the excellent XR5, and I'll be happy for my wife to have one to replace her 07 XR5, but I'm not swayed away from my goal of owning a Mk VII GTI.

Firstly I'm going to stick with DSG (even if the Mk VII goes to the dry clutch version) Focus ST does not offer anything other than its (slick) six-speed. I think DSG (esp with paddleshifters) is just the best of both worlds.

Secondly, the report says Focus ST has failed to address or improve the massive turning circle of the XR5...this is a real bug-bear.
One of the huge benefits of my Golf is the nimble way it fits into small spaces, like shopping centre car-parks. The XR5 (and ST) will often need a second take to hit the same space. And tight laneways etc are a nightmare if you need to turn around...5-point turn, anyone?

And finally I'm happy to pay a couple of grand more for the VW quality... build, interior, understated appearance.

Waiting til late next year or early 2014 for full release isn't a problem, I'll just have to put an APR stage one into my 118TSI...

[elephino]

First European reviews of the A-class are starting to come through. They're not as positive as I was expecting but they're not full reviews yet.

[Mk3 AAA]

How did you leave out the BMW and Ford.

I like the new Focus ST (not in the horrid colours it's usually in in pictures)



But in a shade.

I hope the MkVII R gets the Audi 5cyl turbo, dropping the V6 was no fun.