Mk7 Golf GTI Launched in Europe

[tonymy01]

Not convinced at your salesspeak Golf7. some of that interior stuff definitely sounds "soundaktor"ish to me.

[Golf7]

It's the same as the old GTI in terms of way that the sound is produced... Glad someone likes my automotive language flair, trying to be journo here... I'll chick up my review of the car soon!

[tonymy01]

You contradicted yourself? Old gti has soundaktor transducer which resonates the firewall and windscreen to generate an artificial noise.

[Ryan_R]

Surprised your blog has the 2015 USA version of the GTI instead of the 2013 Euro one, which should be more applicable to Australia.

[Golf7]

Sorry guys, just realised. All models GTIs from 2011 onwards have the transducer. The new one also has something similar going on I believe. But I just wanted to say that there is no TRUE artificial noise coming from the car. Case in point: the new Clio RS which actually uses the cars speakers to emulate different car noises.

And with the GTI question, the two variants are the same, it's just that the US will be getting there ones later. They're the slides that VW had up in Nice. Any opinions on the new GTD?

[tonymy01]

All models GTIs from 2011 onwards have the transducer. The new one also has something similar going on I believe. But I just wanted to say that there is no TRUE artificial noise coming from the car.

Sorry, what are you talking about?? The transducer (Soundaktor) *IS* an artificial noise generator. It uses the windscreen to make the raspy low frequency noise simulating a deeper engine tone, rather than the car speakers. That is as artificial as anything. Please google Soundaktor, and learn.

[Golf7]

Sorry, what are you talking about?? The transducer (Soundaktor) *IS* an artificial noise generator. It uses the windscreen to make the raspy low frequency noise simulating a deeper engine tone, rather than the car speakers. That is as artificial as anything. Please google Soundaktor, and learn.

Hey, hey no need to fight me over it... I meant that the device merely amplifies the existing sound, without generating any NEW noise as a speaker would. The actual system made my Kuhnke is quite complex, it not only amplifies the noise but the vibrations as well. I'm curious to see how it works!

[tonymy01]

Re: Mk7 Golf GTI Launched in Europe

I meant that the device merely amplifies the existing sound, without generating any NEW noise as a speaker would.

? The Soundaktor as far as we are all aware is simply a sound generator device instructed by the ecu to generate sounds (low frequency amplified by the windscreen) at particular rpm, how you can possibly think this is not artificial, but the same process using the car speakers is, I really don't understand.
There is no microphone input to the Golf VI Soundaktor..


Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

[Golf7]

? The Soundaktor as far as we are all aware is simply a sound generator device instructed by the ecu to generate sounds (low frequency amplified by the windscreen) at particular rpm, how you can possibly think this is not artificial, but the same process using the car speakers is, I really don't understand.
There is no microphone input to the Golf VI Soundaktor..


Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

How cares really, when the noise is that good!

[zoomda]

Anyone else noticed that not one of the reviews so far have been of a car with DSG?

I wonder why that is.

[Cookie28]

Mk7 Golf GTI Launched in Europe

Because manuals are better *puts on flame suit*

That's just my opinion, I personally prefer a manual but don't have to drive in heavy traffic at all.

[Arnold]

Manual transmission not only makes sense for a sports-oriented car by providing a more enjoyable and engaging driving experience, the 6MT largely eliminates the risk of negative comments or reservations about the car (in particular due to the apparently indecisive low speed performance of the DSG which VW claims uses more fuel than the 6MT without any stated performance benefit). One reviewer even commented on how he was changing up to 3rd gear partly so he could enjoy the sensation of changing back down into 2nd!

I am sure there are many manual drivers who take pleasure in operating a clutch and pulling / pushing a gear stick together to smoothest effect who would say that that process is more satisfying than simply flicking a plastic lever that sends a signal to a processor that takes care of all that and so eliminates the opportunity for the driver to perfect the smoothest and most seamless gear change, which is a frequent challenge for those who generally aim to get the most from their use of a manual gearbox.

Having seen a few GTI reviews now, all in manuals, it is hard to recall any reservations or negative comments in them, so mission accomplished, if VW put on manuals with that objective in mind.

[AdamD]

This is not the thread for the Manual vs DSG debate, thanks.

[Arnold]

How cares really, when the noise is that good!

I'm quite surprised!

Does VW really need to invest time, money and resources amplifying the engine noise? Does the wonderful Mark V GTI's engine note rely on such "enhancements"? I'm a bit put off by the concept. Is the natural note of these engines so wimpy?

Seems a bit fake to me. Although I will admit that when I was 8, with clothes pegs I clipped cardboard onto the front forks of my bike so they would be clipped by the spokes . . . but that was a long time ago!

[Golf7]

I'm quite surprised!

Does VW really need to invest time, money and resources amplifying the engine noise? Does the wonderful Mark V GTI's engine note rely on such "enhancements"? I'm a bit put off by the concept. Is the natural note of these engines so wimpy?

Seems a bit fake to me. Although I will admit that when I was 8, with clothes pegs I clipped cardboard onto the front forks of my bike so they would be clipped by the spokes . . . but that was a long time ago!

Not sure to be honest if the MK5 has any trickery going on... I think they just "add" the noise as a marketing ploy, to satisfy the ears of buyer who might be expecting a more boomy sound... Waste of space and unnecessary weight in my opinion.