RE: 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI spied at 'Ring
Discussion
Chestrockwell said:
As mentioned in this thread. The GTI is not a competitor for these cars, so it's a bit of a moot point saying 260 isn't enough etc etc. The GTI has always been a swiss army knife with modest power that makes it "hot" yet usable day to day for a variety of talents. As an all-rounder, it really is sublime and does knock on the door of the CTR etc, but sits in it's own category IMO.
Me? I speak from experience, I mulled over waiting for an 8 but decided to get a brand new 7.5 at the start of the year instead with a good discount, and ticked lots of boxes (DSG, PP, DCC, Pan Roof, Dynaudio, Leather etc). The 7/7.5 is such a tried and tested platform that even in today's tests it holds it's own and wins, not bad for something that appeared in 2013. It certainly feels like it has more than 245hp, and at the same time that seems plenty for the FWD system to cope with when being used 'Daily'.
As a 41 year old I can also drive the Golf around in a fairly discreet fashion with it's understated looks, not something that can be done in a CTR.
As for the interior there's nowt wrong with the leather ( just make sure you have it treated and coated before you start using it!), and it's kid proof...
The MK8 will be interesting when it arrives, but as to what it can offer over a 7.5, I'd guess very little, so it'll just be a 7.5 in a new frock and an interior with no physical buttons!
Edited by kmpowell on Monday 15th July 14:30
I find myself impressed by the current Golf model. I had a GTI TCR as a rental car in Germany recently, I had to drive five hours of Autobahn at night in dry conditions. Despite absolutely hammering the fuel (as expected) the car was very impressive.
I felt comfortable all the way and the engine performance was very nice, with a lot more pull towards the redline than I was expecting. The torque was good but the top end pull was what really stuck with me. The DSG box was fantastic too.
I drove back from near Dresden to Berlin on a sunny and it was a fantastic drive. Well composed and felt very quick on the roads between the idyllic little villages and towns and then very quick on the Autobahn. The induction noise was nice too. Just a lovely car all round, glad my client paid for the fuel though.
It did really open my eyes how much pull these current hot hatches have above 120mph where the older generation were starting to run out of puff big time. As much as I liked it I wouldn't have one in the UK, it's not special enough to own as a toy and I think it would be frustrating after having used it properly in Germany.
I felt comfortable all the way and the engine performance was very nice, with a lot more pull towards the redline than I was expecting. The torque was good but the top end pull was what really stuck with me. The DSG box was fantastic too.
I drove back from near Dresden to Berlin on a sunny and it was a fantastic drive. Well composed and felt very quick on the roads between the idyllic little villages and towns and then very quick on the Autobahn. The induction noise was nice too. Just a lovely car all round, glad my client paid for the fuel though.
It did really open my eyes how much pull these current hot hatches have above 120mph where the older generation were starting to run out of puff big time. As much as I liked it I wouldn't have one in the UK, it's not special enough to own as a toy and I think it would be frustrating after having used it properly in Germany.
I am not sure I can see the next Golf R having 400 bhp to take on the A45...
Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
Sean207 said:
I am not sure I can see the next Golf R having 400 bhp to take on the A45...
Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
Because it'll likely share lots with the 400hp RS3. Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
Sean207 said:
I am not sure I can see the next Golf R having 400 bhp to take on the A45...
Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
I'm fairly sure they have already announced the next R will come in two versions. one around the 340 mark and then the full fat version at 400 which i guess makes it the previously approved for production R400 that was then canned after 'dieselgate'Merc and BMW have called a sort of truce on the power wars with the A35 and BMW 135I, recognising that 300 BHP is a sweet spot and accepted price point for the masses, copying the golf R basically, so why give their new one 400 and a price most wouldn't cough up for? Id expect 320 or 340 bhp max..
'
The A45s and I am sure forthcoiming proper M 1 series are hyper hatches, so I think there would be a R plus or something'...but not the boggo Golf R competing with these...
I'm thinking of mapping my 3 door manual 7.5r to stage one with a TT turbo elbow.It's already got a better clutch which transformed the car. Together with some Bilstein non coilover dampers, I think I will have a pretty potent machine pushing out a reliable 380bhp.
Whichever way you look at it, that's a pokey car and a LOT more fun than the MK1 and 2 GTi's that I used to do tarmac stage rallies back in the day.
I have had Scoobies, various Civic type R's, and GTi's Mk 1's, 2's 5's 6's and 7. 5 (about 8 at least) and would say that the VW products overall provide a more usuable day to day experience in quality and accessible performance. Lovely though the Civic engine is, to have to access the 6,200 rpm to switch it on got a bit wearing sometimes.
My Scoobies (new STi 8 in particular) always made me feel a bit like a wannabee Chav hooligan, the Civics slightly less so. Always felt they needed to be on 'top of' and not the sort of car I could cruise down to the Dordogne on holiday in.They were great fun though!
I'm afraid I would be reluctant to get a Megane (build quality, image) or a Merc (not quite got it IMHO) and concerened as to what car to get next as dislike 4 door hatchbacks.
Might be back to a Boxster which is a whole new discussion, but having experienced both, a Boxster is a very practical car for our needs.
Sorry for the slightly off topic ramble, hope it makes sense!
Whichever way you look at it, that's a pokey car and a LOT more fun than the MK1 and 2 GTi's that I used to do tarmac stage rallies back in the day.
I have had Scoobies, various Civic type R's, and GTi's Mk 1's, 2's 5's 6's and 7. 5 (about 8 at least) and would say that the VW products overall provide a more usuable day to day experience in quality and accessible performance. Lovely though the Civic engine is, to have to access the 6,200 rpm to switch it on got a bit wearing sometimes.
My Scoobies (new STi 8 in particular) always made me feel a bit like a wannabee Chav hooligan, the Civics slightly less so. Always felt they needed to be on 'top of' and not the sort of car I could cruise down to the Dordogne on holiday in.They were great fun though!
I'm afraid I would be reluctant to get a Megane (build quality, image) or a Merc (not quite got it IMHO) and concerened as to what car to get next as dislike 4 door hatchbacks.
Might be back to a Boxster which is a whole new discussion, but having experienced both, a Boxster is a very practical car for our needs.
Sorry for the slightly off topic ramble, hope it makes sense!
Edited by andygo on Monday 2nd December 20:57
For those wondering what the strategy is, VW exec confirmed that the GTi, TCR and R will all arrive next year. The TCR will not be a run out model so for those wanting a bit more poke, closer to the R then you just need to sit tight.
Based on that the GTi having 260 brake makes sense.
The hint dropped is that the R will have a hybrid powertrain which will avoid the fairly ridiculous lengths that Mercedes have had to resort to with the 45S to get 400bhp out of a 4pot (with the cost and mpg to match).
Based on that the GTi having 260 brake makes sense.
The hint dropped is that the R will have a hybrid powertrain which will avoid the fairly ridiculous lengths that Mercedes have had to resort to with the 45S to get 400bhp out of a 4pot (with the cost and mpg to match).
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