Anyone else not that thrilled by the new Polo GTI?

[pologti18t]

If you people did some research you would find that:

A: The new Polo GTI has significantly more NM/kWs than the old one. Please discount this if your 1.8T is APR'd, GIAC etc
B: The space saver is there to provide room for the boot mounted BATTERY!
C: The new GTI is a significantly better handler than the old model (which i own).

[busytimmy]

Thanks mate, we're aware of all of these things. I realise the new one has more power/torque than the old one - I am not calling any of this into question. My thread is about how the car 'feels' to drive, not what the numbers are.

If you're responding to a particular individual, it might be helpful to quote them.

Thanks.

[pologti18t]

Thanks mate, we're aware of all of these things. I realise the new one has more power/torque than the old one - I am not calling any of this into question. My thread is about how the car 'feels' to drive, not what the numbers are.

.

It doesn't seem that way as people have mentioned VW been "penny pinching" about supplying a space saver and how the boot space is no larger. The simple fact is something had to give so that VW could put the battery in the boot.

I have tested the new Polo GTI twice. Once at a great test route near Sutherland and another time alone out near botany.
Compared to a standard tune 1.8T the new car is far faster. Part of this is down to the new more powerful engine with the supercharged powerband down low. The other part is the 7 speed dsg gearbox. This is love or hate with most people, but it is extremely effective in keeping the engine in the powerband.

Handling: The new model handles... the old model (which i have) isn't so good. In fact I would nearly class the old GTI as more of a highway cruiser than a car used for attacking mountain roads. The new car turns-in better and hold a line better. Understeer is reduced compared to the old model. The only negative is that the ride can feel a bit brittle on potmarked city streets.

[busytimmy]

It doesn't seem that way as people have mentioned VW been "penny pinching" about supplying a space saver and how the boot space is no larger. The simple fact is something had to give so that VW could put the battery in the boot.

I have tested the new Polo GTI twice. Once at a great test route near Sutherland and another time alone out near botany.
Compared to a standard tune 1.8T the new car is far faster. Part of this is down to the new more powerful engine with the supercharged powerband down low. The other part is the 7 speed dsg gearbox. This is love or hate with most people, but it is extremely effective in keeping the engine in the powerband.

Handling: The new model handles... the old model (which i have) isn't so good. In fact I would nearly class the old GTI as more of a highway cruiser than a car used for attacking mountain roads. The new car turns-in better and hold a line better. Understeer is reduced compared to the old model. The only negative is that the ride can feel a bit brittle on potmarked city streets.

Mate, please stop telling me the car handles and goes better - I know!
I am NOT calling any of this into question. Read my post(s) again.

Thanks.

[pologti18t]

Mate, please stop telling me the car handles and goes better - I know!
I am NOT calling any of this into question. Read my post(s) again.

Thanks.

Oh well mate, sorry to disagree with you. The new one is a much better drive overall. It has an edge that the old model never had.

I've had mine for 5 yrs and I can tell you the "character" you mention is really all down to the engine...and only if APR'd (150kw/330Nm) etc. The standard tune is flat and uninspiring.
The rest of the standard chassis is a dissappointment (and frustrating) in the twisties where a hothatch should shine.

[seangti]

many very similar conversations have taken place between the mk5 and mk6. Agree to disagree, horses for courses, blah, blah.

[flat6]

The old car is in no way bad compared to the new one, plus its way cheaper.

[jesum]

Seriously a space saver tyre does not create a massive profit margin difference on a $30,000 car. It's penny pinching to the extreme and a reason why I wouldn't buy a car with a space saver in Australia and use it for any "decent" trips. Works in the UK and Europe where distances to the next town with an auto shop are small, here it is bloody ridiculous to expect someone to do >100km on a country road using a space saver.

assuming they produce 30,000 of these GTIs a year, a saving of $100 equates to $3,000,000. that's when it becomes significant.

[kaanage]

The power seems very linear
<snip>
unexciting because it's too smooth.

IMO This is the crux of the thread - that the linear power delivery (ie very flat torque curve) doesn't give the immediate impression of speed. I think it is something that you would come to appreciate given a bit more time with the car.

It's like how most people will initially find a very accurate stereo system boring as there is nothing that leaps out. It's only after a few minutes or so that they start to appreciate the extra detail that a flat response gives.

[G-rig]

+1

Cars that are more linear will feel more boring (less slower) to drive.. Bit like the R with it's linear power delivery.

[busytimmy]

IMO This is the crux of the thread - that the linear power delivery (ie very flat torque curve) doesn't give the immediate impression of speed. I think it is something that you would come to appreciate given a bit more time with the car.

It's like how most people will initially find a very accurate stereo system boring as there is nothing that leaps out. It's only after a few minutes or so that they start to appreciate the extra detail that a flat response gives.

Interesting point. Something to think about.

+1

Cars that are more linear will feel more boring (less slower) to drive.. Bit like the R with it's linear power delivery.

Indeed. I don't care if the new VWs are faster. If they're less exciting to drive then that's a minus, not a plus.

[Buller_Scott]

Indeed. I don't care if the new VWs are faster. If they're less exciting to drive then that's a minus, not a plus.

that's why they should have had a manual option.

just going on a guess here, but i reckon ZERO percent of people with a renaulsport clio would take a "flappy paddle option", if it were available.

[sabloke]

The day Renault SPORT is launching a paddle only Clio, I'm jumping ship and buy a sporty-ish Kia, if that's the only manual at the time.
However, if all cars are going to be electric in say 10 years, gearboxes would have become obsolete anyway...
Perhaps VW is not interested at all in selling Polos to old fashioned people like myself that wouldn't find any joy in driving an auto of any kind. Could be that not having a manual option is making VW enthusiasts considering a Golf GTI instead, who knows? That or VW thinking drivers can't be trusted swapping gears linked to a Einstein designed twincharged engine that's also tuned close to the max.

[Buller_Scott]

The day Renault SPORT is launching a paddle only Clio, I'm jumping ship and buy a sporty-ish Kia, if that's the only manual at the time.

oi! careful what you wish for!

i mean, hyundai and the like are already ramping up sales through a euro-matching model range and their whole "brand respect in the market" strategy.

but yeah, i know what you mean. if that ever happened (that all euros became autos), i'll be on a plane to japan to get a toyota yaris turbo (before you look puzzled, i like tiny cars).