Discussion
Working for a Volkswagen dealer I was lucky enough to have the new GTI for an afternoon last week not to mention drive both the manual and the DSG at Donington. Not the current circuit but the part of the old one incorpating the 'old melborne loop'.
I have to say the car is fantastic. I have been lucky enough to drive some pretty nice stuff over the last few years not to mention doing Palmersport Sensation in October and I can say it is fabulous.
Power is smooth and constant throughout the rev range - sure you can rev it hard but thats not what it's all about - it is no Honda Type R engine. It will pull fairly quickly in 6th at around 70 up to 140 with no stuttering.
In comparison to the R32 which is the most recent Golf you can compare it to it wins hands down. Sure the R32 is special but in my mind the new GTi is much more planted on the road.
It had to be as good as they said it is though or the GTI badge would be finished. Anyone in the Northants area who fancies a go e-mail me and i'll sort out an appointment at the dealership (dougie_wh@yahoo.com)
Anyone else driven it yet - thoughts on it? Would be good to get some non-press related feedback on the car
I have to say the car is fantastic. I have been lucky enough to drive some pretty nice stuff over the last few years not to mention doing Palmersport Sensation in October and I can say it is fabulous.
Power is smooth and constant throughout the rev range - sure you can rev it hard but thats not what it's all about - it is no Honda Type R engine. It will pull fairly quickly in 6th at around 70 up to 140 with no stuttering.
In comparison to the R32 which is the most recent Golf you can compare it to it wins hands down. Sure the R32 is special but in my mind the new GTi is much more planted on the road.
It had to be as good as they said it is though or the GTI badge would be finished. Anyone in the Northants area who fancies a go e-mail me and i'll sort out an appointment at the dealership (dougie_wh@yahoo.com)
Anyone else driven it yet - thoughts on it? Would be good to get some non-press related feedback on the car
I saw one in a local showroom the other day, they were ooking test drives and nobody had driven it yet.
It looked quality in the flesh, then my eyes were drawn to the bright red calipers.....then I noticed how poor the casting was and the average looking discs. Why highlight them if they are so poorly finished?
It looked quality in the flesh, then my eyes were drawn to the bright red calipers.....then I noticed how poor the casting was and the average looking discs. Why highlight them if they are so poorly finished?
dougie_wh said:
Anyone else driven it yet - thoughts on it? Would be good to get some non-press related feedback on the car
Nope not yet, lots of reports back elswhere on the tinternet of it by present Golf owners tho, most feedback is ok- well i mean it would have to be a right crock of crap to be worse than the Mk4 GTi after all!
hammerwerfer said:
I would buy a Golf GTi if it were competitive with the Clio Ragnotti/Cup.
A nice lightweight 2 litre with a powerful naturally aspirated engine, not a turboed lard bucket.
An evolution of the Golf GTi Mk 2 please, not this bloated pig!
There have been rumours of a more lightweight & bit more grunt track focused Mk5 GTi, I think it will be an interesting car if it does ever materialise.
Ed, how do you get on at the ring with modded Mk4 1.8T's? as ok they are a wallowy gutless heap as standard, but when chipped & decent suspension & brakes etc they are suprisingy rapid & better I've found in higher speed corners than even pretty well track prepped Mk2 16vs.
Tested both the Golf GTi and the Megane turbo bucket at the weekend, Megane won hands down, faster, turns in better, looks better, sounds better, better spec, better colours, ordered one.
Inferno Orange, full leather and Xenons, £21k, same spec Golf was nearer £24k, weighs more and was in some crap colours.
Inferno Orange, full leather and Xenons, £21k, same spec Golf was nearer £24k, weighs more and was in some crap colours.
, Even with its fat arse ! 
Can't agree personally, I like the look of the new Golf but as long as you're happy with your choice, that is, of course, all that counts!
Would a VW version of a car like the Rag/1782/182/Cup even sell in Germany anyway though? The fact that Renault didn't sell any in Germany *may* indicate that perhaps it wouldn't?
What I'd like to see (it'll never happen) is a move towards light weight hot hatches with RWD - now that would be
Matt
Would a VW version of a car like the Rag/1782/182/Cup even sell in Germany anyway though? The fact that Renault didn't sell any in Germany *may* indicate that perhaps it wouldn't?
What I'd like to see (it'll never happen) is a move towards light weight hot hatches with RWD - now that would be
Matt
mutant_matt said:
Would a VW version of a car like the Rag/1782/182/Cup even sell in Germany anyway though? The fact that Renault didn't sell any in Germany *may* indicate that perhaps it wouldn't?
Matt
I think that a pukka lightweight car would sell very well in Germany, but only if it were a German brand. A Lightweight VW Golf or Polo with a 2 litre engine putting out near 200hp would be just the ticket.
An evolution of the old MK2 Golf 16v GTi is what they need.
It won't happen though, as VW seems to want to compete with Audi and Mercedes-Benz instead of Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, FIAT and the like. Think shrunken luxo-barge.
What about the Seat brand? That's their "sport" brand and also aimed at the lower markets - maybe even the Skoda brand? How do these brands sell in Germany? Are they considered "German" cars there? I seem to see a lot of Leons about the place.
A 200bhp lightweight "Sports" edition Ibiza Cupra/FR might be the ticket?
Matt
A 200bhp lightweight "Sports" edition Ibiza Cupra/FR might be the ticket?
Matt
dougie_wh said:
Working for a Volkswagen dealer I was lucky enough to have the new GTI for an afternoon last week not to mention drive both the manual and the DSG at Donington. Not the current circuit but the part of the old one incorpating the 'old melborne loop'.
... It will pull fairly quickly in 6th at around 70 up to 140 with no stuttering.
Where on the track did you manage to reach 140? Or are you talking Kmh?
hammerwerfer said:
A Lightweight VW Golf or Polo with a 2 litre engine putting out near 200hp would be just the ticket.
An evolution of the old MK2 Golf 16v GTi is what they need.
My thoughts entirely, VW wouldnt do it & thats exactly why I have an evolved power & handling Mk2 16v.
Designed in Germany- Refined in Britain
Of course the fact its posible for nearer £2k than £20k has nothing to do with it
Must say tho that the reports back from mates who've driven the Mk5 GTi are indeed good, more like a big NA engine than turbo'd has been said.
Echoing sentiments above, I think a Golf in the Clio mould is not going to happen. For starters it's a bigger car. Size wise an Ibiza/Fabia/Polo is maybe more a better comparison? The new Polo chassis was supposed to be quite good but now the cars are actually out ie Ibiza Cupra etc the reception has only been lukewarm.
jacobyte said:
Where on the track did you manage to reach 140? Or are you talking Kmh?
umm, the 140 is mph but that wasn't on the track!
What about the hot new polo coming out soon - 1.8 T in the polo should be pretty quick! 130 GT TDI Polo worth a look too - out now and very quick!!
Mrs LongQ went for a second run out in a 1.6 FSI engined Mk5 today. Liked the car but felt it lacked Ooomph - to much time with pedal to the metal and no obvious increase in speed.
I did point out that at 90 in 6th you might not expect too much additional progress up a slope with 3 adults in the car but ...
Didn't drive it myself. I have no wish to be overtly influential in this decision. Such things have a habit of turning nasty later.
However, the point of the story. On arrival as we parked up in the dealer's enormous parking area we happened on a slot right next to a brand new red GTi. So I had a quick look as I got out.
The A4 sheet of paper lying on the dash had a hand written note which read something like -
"Do not DRIVE this car. Suspected engine fault awaiting technical information."
I was very tempted to wave a cheque book and ask for a test drive.
I did point out that at 90 in 6th you might not expect too much additional progress up a slope with 3 adults in the car but ...
Didn't drive it myself. I have no wish to be overtly influential in this decision. Such things have a habit of turning nasty later.
However, the point of the story. On arrival as we parked up in the dealer's enormous parking area we happened on a slot right next to a brand new red GTi. So I had a quick look as I got out.
The A4 sheet of paper lying on the dash had a hand written note which read something like -
"Do not DRIVE this car. Suspected engine fault awaiting technical information."
I was very tempted to wave a cheque book and ask for a test drive.
LongQ said:
"Do not DRIVE this car. Suspected engine fault awaiting technical information."
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Oil pump bolt fault
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