Less boot space in GTI vs. other Polo´s..?

[VdubBully]

Hi everyone!

I´m posting all the way from Norway and new here, in the market for a new Polo GTI.

Was at a dealership yesterday to look at different Polo´s, space, colors, options and so forth..

I noticed that the GTI had higher (?) floor in the trunk than the other Polo´s..?

Is this a given on all GTI´s or just because the one I saw for example had a spare tire in the back..?

The salesman didn´t know..

Thanks and have a good weekend

[broxigar1983]

GTI owners can't get the best of both worlds, either more horsepower or less boot space

I have no idea but think it might be the spare wheel which is wider?

[Frostee]

Welcome to the forum.

It's my understanding that for weight distribution reasons the battery was placed in the rear. The combination of it, the spare wheel etc. Resulted in a reduction in space in the trunk compared to other Polo models.

I think I am correct, but know that others will pick up on this if my information is incorrect.

[apples]

The GTI boot space is 204 litres. All other polos have boot space of 280 litres.

[totallysour]

My understanding is that the battery is in the boot for better weight distribution.

[Puffy]

I would prefer the extra 80 litres of boot space since 99% of people will require the boot space rather than aiming for that perfect weight distribution.

If Im losing that much space then at least put a full size spare in the back.

[weedub]

I don't beleive the weight distribution argument. The weight variation is small compared to the different weights of drivers and passenger(s). I heard another argument which related to heat generated by the tuned GTI engine affecting the battery. Not sure that's true either. However, I have heard that if you are keen you can get a light weight, small, racing motorcycle engine and put in in the front and gain the boot space back.

[Smacca]

Does any actually know the GTI's weight distribution? A quick google didn't find an answer.

My dealer told me it was due to packaging issues trying to fit the battery in the engine bay. But after looking at photos of both the GTI and the 77TSI, that can't be true. The GTI just has a big open space where the battery once was.

Shame really, because I was really impressed by the standard Polo's second concealed boot compartment...

[dav]

Does any actually know the GTI's weight distribution? A quick google didn't find an answer.

My dealer told me it was due to packaging issues trying to fit the battery in the engine bay. But after looking at photos of both the GTI and the 77TSI, that can't be true. The GTI just has a big open space where the battery once was.

Shame really, because I was really impressed by the standard Polo's second concealed boot compartment...

I think its 60:40.

[gavs]

The official line is to improve weight distribution and 12-20kg worth of dead weight can make a huge difference in handling, especially in braking balance etc. Most suspension engineers factor in driver weight when doing suspension tunin so this is null also, if they don't, then they're not a very good one, you have to drive a car to feel it's suspension performance, can't just sit behind a desk writing numbers. Yeah it sucks losing boot space but hey, you make sacrifices sometimes when buying performance derivatives. Theres a perfectly good model called the 77tsi which is a cracker of a car if boot space is critical, or stump up for a golf 118tsi.

[kaanage]

Exactly.

The other thing to consider about the battery weight relative to driver and passengers is that the battery on the TSi is mounted ahead of the front axle and is behind the rear axle in the GTi. The means that the effect of the weight transfer is much more significant than the same amount of weight being shifted from the front seats to the rear seats.

[Smacca]

I'm all for better weight distribution! I was spoilt with my MX-5's perfect 50:50 so any way of getting closer to that is a win, including repositioning the battery at the cost of some boot space.

The other thing to consider ... is that the battery on the TSi is mounted ahead of the front axle and is behind the rear axle in the GTi.

That's a great point Kaanage, I didn't even think of that. The more weight you can move behind the front wheels the better, as a heavy nose always pushes wide. And no one likes understeer.

[pologti18t]

The other point is that the 1.4TSI engine is heavier than the 1.4L petrol or 1.2TSI engines. So moving the battery to the boot offsets the extra weight in engine bay.

[gavs]

I'm all for better weight distribution! I was spoilt with my MX-5's perfect 50:50 so any way of getting closer to that is a win, including repositioning the battery at the cost of some boot space.

I find this interesting how car companies use this as a positive when any race car builder will tell you that 50:50 is a negative......

[kaanage]

The other point is that the 1.4TSI engine is heavier than the 1.4L petrol or 1.2TSI engines. So moving the battery to the boot offsets the extra weight in engine bay.

I thought that everyone would already know this but yes.

I find this interesting how car companies use this as a positive when any race car builder will tell you that 50:50 is a negative......

Depends on what you are trying to achieve. Yes, for a race car, the weight should be biased towards the driven wheels (if not AWD) as traction tends to override mid corner speed for best lap times. But if a car is not excessively powerful (and the MX-5 fits the bill ) then mid corner speed becomes more relevant so a 50:50 weight distribution is better. And on the road, mid corner speed is a lotta fun