Wheels R36

[alliance]

Saw a comparisson in the latest Wheels mag with an R36 wagon. Although the R36 won the comparo, I don't understand how these guys got the performance figures they ran. It says the Liberty GT sedan outgunned the R36 by more than a second, with the R36 recording something like 7.2 sec to 100klms. Shame they didn't have a sedan to run and that they didn't really detail any of the benefits of the R36 - particularly getting a better 0-100k time. Anyone have an opionion?

[Caddyman]

There certainly seems to be something wrong there, they are definitely faster than that!

Also terrible photos in that article, no real detail shots of the interior of any of the cars.

Matthew

[weasel]

I also was a little dissapointed with the review. All the cars should have been either all wagons or all sedans to be a fair comparison. Why the wagon was so slow I have no idea. Or maybee the question is why was the liberty so fast? Maybee they had the times mixed up

Peter

[docjames]

The mondeo (in xr5 form) is only available as manual, hatch.

The liberty is just plain ugly....

[R34]

Either VW have been telling us porkies or the reviewer is a goose.
I just read the article and the tester said that touching the brake and throttle together "kills all action in the engine room"
He then goes on to say because of this feature it isn't possible to load up the R36 for a quick take off. "instead just hammer it"
Helloooo ever heard of the launch control feature
These guys are meant to be professionals so Mr Bruce Newton try reading the owners manual or at least find out what features the car has.
I've written to wheels (like about 100 other guys )

[adrock]

Gotta say I'm hating reading about this. I'm a long time Subaru fan (last 3 new cars have been turbo Forester's) and the Liberty is something I seriously considered before I decided on the R36.

Aside from the finish and features of the R36, the Liberty GT just felt so pedestrian to drive, never mind how bad the new model looks.

Hopefully Wheels have it all wrong as a wagon under 6 seconds at that price is something pretty special.

[R34]

Don't worry I can't see VW claiming 5.8 seconds if it wasn't so

[audineil]

Tarmac Magazine tested the R36 sedan and got 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and the standing 400m is 13.8 seconds.

Perhaps the kiddies at Wheels should have read the owner's manual as suggested.

Neil

[szikou]

Which edition of Tarmac Magazine?

Was it Issue #3 (Summer 2009)??

[audineil]

Yes. Issue 3.
Neil

[Greggles]

Saw a comparisson in the latest Wheels mag with an R36 wagon. Although the R36 won the comparo, I don't understand how these guys got the performance figures they ran. It says the Liberty GT sedan outgunned the R36 by more than a second, with the R36 recording something like 7.2 sec to 100klms. Shame they didn't have a sedan to run and that they didn't really detail any of the benefits of the R36 - particularly getting a better 0-100k time. Anyone have an opionion?

Very odd but not an atypical piece of Wheels journalism. 1. They dismiss the quicker speed of the R36 sedan but then belabour the awesome speed of the liberty (sedan). If it is a sedan comparo why not at least appear professional and compare sedans (ignoring weight and subsequent speed, fuel economy and handling differences)? 2. Agreed- the interior photo of the R36 is appalling despite the gushy reporting of the R36 interior. 3. They compare a MY10 liberty and Mondeo with a MY09 R36 (Dunlop tyres). 4. Importantly are critical that the R36 electronics do not permit a hard launch. Why can we all use the launch control to derive those insane 0-100 times?

I'm disappointed I wasted $8.95 (and 30minutes of my life) on this amateurish piece of rubbish. It is close to the worst review I have ever read! Wheels have really let themselves go!

[Pana]

so who's read their response to Davin Morris' email about how they stuffed up the test?

I think a lot of readers are correct about how downhill Wheels has gone lately. Their attitude really does suck and their dismissive "get our road testers to learn and recite by rote" comment is petulant and childish.

It's also interesting that they have updated the times in the Showroom section in the new issue - but updated the Sedan figures, not the wagon! Derrrrrr.

[nivek]

so who's read their response to Davin Morris' email about how they stuffed up the test?

I think a lot of readers are correct about how downhill Wheels has gone lately. Their attitude really does suck and their dismissive "get our road testers to learn and recite by rote" comment is petulant and childish.

It's also interesting that they have updated the times in the Showroom section in the new issue - but updated the Sedan figures, not the wagon! Derrrrrr.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but can anyone provide a scan of the response to Davin Morris' email about how Wheels stuffed up the R36 comparo test? Is the issue still on sale?

My colleague is giving me loads of crap about how my R36 is only a 7.2 sec car. It's so frustrating, I need something to rebut.

[Highlander]

Use the passenger seat and your right foot

[shakespeare]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but can anyone provide a scan of the response to Davin Morris' email about how Wheels stuffed up the R36 comparo test? Is the issue still on sale?

My colleague is giving me loads of crap about how my R36 is only a 7.2 sec car. It's so frustrating, I need something to rebut.

Here it is