Golf 40th vs Golf R

[tigger73]

I'm well aware that a CS can run a faster lap time than an R on a flying lap.

I just find it amusing that you take it so seriously when your car doesn't "win". Just accept that a FWD car is a bit of a dog to get off the line. When you accelerate the weight shifts to the back of the car, front wheels become light and you lose traction. It's physics and if you want off-the-line performance you really need something that is driving the rear wheels. Of course once you're up to speed it becomes less of an issue.

The major winner out of the test was VW - well it's hard to lose when you stack the test...

[Dutch77]

Never forget tigger73, the 40th is the greatest vehicle of all time.

[ringo]

Actually, the OP said it's an "interesting vid" and I didn't take it any more seriously than simply state that it is laughable, for very obvious reasons. I would hope FWD poor launching is a well-known fact for most people to factor in when looking at lap times from standing starts between AWD and FWD (which is very rare to be honest).

This is not about "my car" at all, you couldn't be more far away from my point. It is about presenting an inaccurate image of something (track performance) which isn't supposed to be affected by 2 or 4WD. It is even more about VW and its lame marketing dept and their inability to handle properly such a large model range by continuously trying not to upset owners. This "test" is just another failing attempt. VW have some great engineers but their management is made from really unpleasant people...

PS. The post above mine (posted while I was typing) is the proof of that even after all this effort, deliberate engine detune, lower than real published power outputs, or even track tests conducted "a la VW" , some R owners will still always be a bit upset about the CS. Which consequently proves that they should have replaced a further couple of suspension parts and not apply any under-boost nonsense on the CJX engine and build a full size Golf to seize the 'Ring record. People would still be as happy (or not) as they are now...

[Dutch77]

I've never owned a Golf R.

As for the debate, yes it's pretty laughable. As for the 40th, it is obviously a very competent car unfortunately spoiled by the weirdo styling and this discussion.

[ringo]

I've never owned a Golf R.

As for the debate, yes it's pretty laughable. As for the 40th, it is obviously a very competent car unfortunately spoiled by the weirdo styling and this discussion.

Isn't the S3 a polished R though? At least that was my test-drive impression. (And a worse driver's car than the R but I won't open another debate now).

As for this discussion, it's a car forum, and even worse a "X vs. Y" thread so come on, you must have seen that coming?? Pretty sure it does not affect either car's image in the real world...

[Dutch77]

It's probably 95% the drivers car an R is, which suits me fine as I'll take everything else it offers me (including the styling) every day of the week. I'm not overly concerned if the 40th can beat me around a lap as I have absolutely no intention of ever being on that lap in the first place - I'm not hung up on that.

I think all tigger was saying was sometimes the 40th will lose.. at the end of the day it's a FWD hatchback. I was just here for a giggle.

[AdamD]

I was just here for a giggle.

This is a great thread for that! Also popcorn.

[tigger73]

Even though I haven't driven an Ed40, I've driven enough performance Golfs to know the Ed40 will be a cracker of a car. It's a PP with some more P.

What hurts the R is the extra weight which you can never get away from - even when you add more power it's still an extra 100kg (?) to lug around and it does make the car feel heavy under braking and through corners.

So I can definitely see the attraction of the Ed40.

This test does show a couple of things. Putting some sticky tyres on a FWD car is a good thing. AWD still wins the traffic lights GP.

So in the real world day to day city driving it comes down to requirements for off-the-line acceleration vs. spirited driving through the twisties. Golf R and Ed40 are both good cars in their own way.

And final comment is that a one lap standing start test on a relatively short circuit is probably not a bad way to compare road cars ( if you were going to have a single test) as it takes all things into consideration - off-the-line acceleration as well as speed through corners.

I don't own either so I can be a little less unbiased in my opinions



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[Fish Jetski]

Interesting video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebp4EIyXflc

I wonder how the r would have gone if it had the same rubber as the s...


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[dunlopvolleys]

Even though I haven't driven an Ed40, I've driven enough performance Golfs to know the Ed40 will be a cracker of a car. It's a PP with some more P.

What hurts the R is the extra weight which you can never get away from - even when you add more power it's still an extra 100kg (?) to lug around and it does make the car feel heavy under braking and through corners.

So I can definitely see the attraction of the Ed40.

This test does show a couple of things. Putting some sticky tyres on a FWD car is a good thing. AWD still wins the traffic lights GP.

So in the real world day to day city driving it comes down to requirements for off-the-line acceleration vs. spirited driving through the twisties. Golf R and Ed40 are both good cars in their own way.

And final comment is that a one lap standing start test on a relatively short circuit is probably not a bad way to compare road cars ( if you were going to have a single test) as it takes all things into consideration - off-the-line acceleration as well as speed through corners.

I don't own either so I can be a little less unbiased in my opinions



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That's a pretty good analysis; I haven't driven a 40 but I've done back to back from PP to R and I kept wondering why people wouldn't choose the R as it's a fine margin between the two


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[Bassik]

So it's been a long time coming but here is a review comparing both.

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/does-the-vw-golf-r-make-the-gti-clubsport-completely-pointless/

I have since bought a Clubsport and it's much more funner than a Golf R.

[LibraR]

They are two different cars for sure. On our recent drive day we had a Golf R and a 40th Ed running together with some spirited driving through some bumpy rural roads with sharp hairpins and irregular surface, I think it's fair to say the R had it marginally over the 40th simply due to the rail like grip of the R. The 40th Ed was by all accounts more entertaining to drive close to the limit even if a tad slower to put the power to the ground.

On a smooth track the 40th Ed would have it all over the R due to the weight difference.

In the real world, the R is definitely a bit quicker, at the expense of some driver engagement.

Both are truly fine cars, just depends what you are seeking.., 👍

[Mattlock]

Both are truly fine cars, just depends what you are seeking.., [emoji106]

Yep. I like the R as it truely is an everyday car - sure I lose some chatter from the wheel and the poise from the suspension but considering most of my driving these days is commuting, the laps it up. As my mate said when he drove - stick it in comfort mode and it's no different to a stock 2l TSI. When the conditions permit, stick it in Race and you have a different beast capable of many things.

I like the idea of the Clubsport but with 3 kids to move around the R is a better 90% car.

Just proves that they are both so good it comes down to which one fits your life better. That's pretty awesome and speaks volumes about modern automotive engineering.




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[Bassik]

Yep. I like the R as it truely is an everyday car - sure I lose some chatter from the wheel and the poise from the suspension but considering most of my driving these days is commuting, the laps it up. As my mate said when he drove - stick it in comfort mode and it's no different to a stock 2l TSI. When the conditions permit, stick it in Race and you have a different beast capable of many things.

I like the idea of the Clubsport but with 3 kids to move around the R is a better 90% car.

Just proves that they are both so good it comes down to which one fits your life better. That's pretty awesome and speaks volumes about modern automotive engineering.

I have to say that the Clubsport even in comfort mode is like a regular Golf. By all means it's firmer then a regular Golf but in comfort mode it's a lot smoother then my Mk6 Gti. Plus the CS has a bigger boot. Seems more practical to me.

Major draw back for me was...there's more damn R's then any other Golf out there.

[Mattlock]

Major draw back for me was...there's more damn R's then any other Golf out there.

Haha. That is very true. I see them everywhere!

The major drawback I faced was that the Clubsport didn't exist when I was in the market (plus I've wanted an R since I went on VW track day in the Mk6). My replacement in 18 months time might not be an R though.




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