RE: Inevitable Volkswagen Tiguan R inbound
Discussion
The performance SUV is a ridiculous proposition but we all buy them. My other half's 35d X3 is just about as bad as it gets the only saving grace being half way decent fuel consumption. If I had to throw in a sub 20mpg return at the pump to go with the wooden handling, compromised braking, cruddy NVH and lumpen ride, I'd seriously be questioning my sanity. When are we the so called enthusiasts going to be honest with ourselves and start admitting that this, in car terms is an evolutionary cul-de-sac?
DP33 said:
The performance SUV is a ridiculous proposition but we all buy them. My other half's 35d X3 is just about as bad as it gets the only saving grace being half way decent fuel consumption. If I had to throw in a sub 20mpg return at the pump to go with the wooden handling, compromised braking, cruddy NVH and lumpen ride, I'd seriously be questioning my sanity. When are we the so called enthusiasts going to be honest with ourselves and start admitting that this, in car terms is an evolutionary cul-de-sac?
Im sure we all agree that choice is a wonderful thing. nickfrog said:
More choice is better than less choice I would have thought. I can totally see the logic for a Tiguan R compared to an estate, but the estate may also be a good choice for someone. I suspect different people prefer different things, just a wild guess 
In a way, yes but, when the car is under attack from all sides (the delightful ULEZ being a great example), are more and more SUVs and crossovers a great way to be going? For a start, making more and more different types of car doesn't seem a great way to save the environment but, is promoting cars that are inherently less efficient really wise? I just find the whole thing a bit odd. Go back a few years and society was relentlessly attacking "Chelsea Tractors" for being dangerous, expensive and bad for the environment. Now everyone seems to want one. I can't help but think that, a few years down the line, the environmentalists are going to wake up and remember that the SUV is the enemy, and manufacturers will be scrabbling around, trying to relaunch once-killed-off hatchbacks and estatesLateStarter said:
Oh I just thought of something else, imagine the fuel economy, it should be hilarious.
I used to get 12-15 mpg in my Golf R for commuting. (28 for longer journeys)
Add the Tiguan weight and could you get it down to single figures??
I guess your commute was through a city? My Golf R would easily do over 30mpg on main roads and you had to give it plenty of stick to get it down to the lower figures you're talking about..I used to get 12-15 mpg in my Golf R for commuting. (28 for longer journeys)
Add the Tiguan weight and could you get it down to single figures??
Edited by LateStarter on Tuesday 9th April 22:55
nickfrog said:
It's entirely possible for an "enthusiast" to have more than one car. And to be honest, road driving ? Not exactly exciting, at least in SE England. You might as well have something comfy with a bit more travel and proper sidewalls.
It's a nice thought, but a lot of these cars don't actually ride much better than anything else once they've got the obligatory 19" wheels and "sporty" suspension.Andy20vt said:
The reason I've never bought a Golf R, even though it would have fitted the bill perfectly for a run around is that they just look pretty much the same as any regular Golf but with 4 x silly looking 'Halfords Special' exhaust pipes stuck on the back, two of which don't even work most of the time.
If they had given the thing some wider arches, a bit like the Audi or Renault RS cars and perhaps two more subtle yet purposeful looking exhaust pipes then I'd have been all in and would probably have jumped on the bandwagon. Would have been perfect for the wife.
I think that is because the Golf R is supposed to be level pegging the S' level cars with their standard arches, not the RS level cars, which is why it only has the S3/TTS level engine. If they had given the thing some wider arches, a bit like the Audi or Renault RS cars and perhaps two more subtle yet purposeful looking exhaust pipes then I'd have been all in and would probably have jumped on the bandwagon. Would have been perfect for the wife.
What you are asking for is a RS3/TTRS level Golf. Which doesn't exist.
LateStarter said:
Oh I just thought of something else, imagine the fuel economy, it should be hilarious.
I used to get 12-15 mpg in my Golf R for commuting. (28 for longer journeys)
Add the Tiguan weight and could you get it down to single figures??
nope 100% something wrong with your car, now way 12mpg at speed limits, urban or not, unless you sat there in neutral revving at 8k.... I used to get 12-15 mpg in my Golf R for commuting. (28 for longer journeys)
Add the Tiguan weight and could you get it down to single figures??
Edited by LateStarter on Tuesday 9th April 22:55
Some folk are saying they don't get a mid size performance SUV - I would have once agreed!
The wife needs to be able to shift her (not inconsiderably sized) 73 yo father around ever more regularly and who currently struggles getting in and out of our A3 Saloon. High entry will help no end. She also likes (like a lot of women) the high driving position. More space too!
I still need a car for work so I'm currently looking at a Tiguan (I personally think they look good for a SUV) to facilitate my wifes needs whilst I still get a 240ps 2 Lltre Bi-Turbo Diesel with resonably good overtaking power for the 70mile A Road daily commute.
Sure, it won't handle like a car but then I don't need it to, as most of the time it will be cruising along, but you do need that overtaking ability on these roads which this will have in adequate amounts.
OK, it's not an out and out performance version but 240PS & 500nm in something this size will provide a fair turn of speed.
I think this demostrates in my case that there are instances where cars like this have a place.
The wife needs to be able to shift her (not inconsiderably sized) 73 yo father around ever more regularly and who currently struggles getting in and out of our A3 Saloon. High entry will help no end. She also likes (like a lot of women) the high driving position. More space too!
I still need a car for work so I'm currently looking at a Tiguan (I personally think they look good for a SUV) to facilitate my wifes needs whilst I still get a 240ps 2 Lltre Bi-Turbo Diesel with resonably good overtaking power for the 70mile A Road daily commute.
Sure, it won't handle like a car but then I don't need it to, as most of the time it will be cruising along, but you do need that overtaking ability on these roads which this will have in adequate amounts.
OK, it's not an out and out performance version but 240PS & 500nm in something this size will provide a fair turn of speed.
I think this demostrates in my case that there are instances where cars like this have a place.
Jon_S_Rally said:
It's a nice thought, but a lot of these cars don't actually ride much better than anything else once they've got the obligatory 19" wheels and "sporty" suspension.
Yes that happens and partially defeats the object although the added suspension travel helps. Our humble 1.5 Karoq has a great ride on ballon 17s. Bigger wheels were thankfully not obligatory.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff