Golf GTI Edition 35

**DoggieHowser** · 22-08-2011, 10:40 AM

From the videos I saw, it didn't look that awful. It borrows some styling cues from the new 5 series which I thought was a nice looking car.

The bonnet is longer than the Golf's but I imagine an inline six could probably fit in there....mmmm

Well, from all reports, it will be a fun car to drive. Isn't that your yardstick?

**triode12** · 22-08-2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

From the videos I saw, it didn't look that awful. It borrows some styling cues from the new 5 series which I thought was a nice looking car.

The bonnet is longer than the Golf's but I imagine an inline six could probably fit in there....mmmm

Well, from all reports, it will be a fun car to drive. Isn't that your yardstick?

While it is the top of my list, the way the car looks also plays a part in the decision. Based on the looks of the new 1 series...No thanks! Much rather drive a 9N Pog than one of those.

Incidently, I test drove an EVO X yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. It was fun to drive (there was a feeling of speed) and the suspension wasn't as harsh as I thought it would be. The interior and fit/finish was rubbish though esp for a $70K car.

**DoggieHowser** · 22-08-2011, 11:35 AM

My gripe was that the X lost the 6 speed manual option. 5 speed wasn't really enough if u do a fair amount of highways on commutes. And the SST wasn't as fun. Or as robust.

**triode12** · 22-08-2011, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

My gripe was that the X lost the 6 speed manual option. 5 speed wasn't really enough if u do a fair amount of highways on commutes. And the SST wasn't as fun. Or as robust.

I didn't test drive the SST model but the 5 spd manual was easy to use and changes were smooth. Perhaps Mitsubshi didn't think that people would use the car as a daily driver so dropped the 6 spd manual.

I had a look at the Ralliart with SST (they didn't have an MR to test) and the paddles are fixed to the steering wheel shaft. So you can't keep both hands on the wheel while turning if you plan to change gears unlike our Golfs.

**DoggieHowser** · 22-08-2011, 11:57 AM

Neither do Ferraris.

**Corey_R** · 22-08-2011, 12:06 PM

yeah... but ferrari's paddles are really large and cover a far greater circumference of the wheel... greater than even the aftermarket S2TPP DSG paddles...

**triode12** · 22-08-2011, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

Neither do Ferraris.

Too bad for Ferrari owners then.

**DoggieHowser** · 22-08-2011, 12:32 PM

From my understanding of why they are designed this way: changing gears while you are turning causes traction to be lost for a split second and potentially, it can disrupt the stability of the car. And also for consistency, otherwise you might lose track of which way is left when you turn the wheel

That said, I do recall one track in Japan where all the drives shift mid turn, so for their modded GTR, MatchCarRacing installed their own paddles which allowed the paddles to move with the wheel and they claimed they saved a split second off their hot lap on that track.

Anyway, I have no wish to take this fully off topic.

I do like the Ed35 but I think without any discounts, I suspect it gets into very murky ground pricing wise, especially with some new cars on the horizon. The new Focus RS/ST with a turbocharged 2.0l is also going to be an interesting mix.