Golf GTI Motor Comparison Test

**Sharkie** · 12-11-2009, 08:00 AM

Latest Motor magazine did a comparison between a new GTI and a new Mazda 3 MPS ....

good read .... and the GTI won ....(as usual)

BUT .... it even beat the MPS in the standing start runs, though not in the overtaking runs .....

0-100km/h in 6.5s and 400m in 14.6s ... pretty good for only 155kw ...

apparently the new diff and ACC makes a big difference in getting the power to the ground .....

Now imagine it with 190kw/400NM ....

And anybody that thought they'd settle for a 118 as the performance diffence would be close ... sorry, but there is daylight between the 2 now. ....

**mrpayne** · 12-11-2009, 08:15 AM

That is a pretty good result. How did they rate the MPS as an every day drive proposition?

**Guy_H** · 12-11-2009, 08:45 AM

Only downside is the GTI was slower around Wakefield (by a decent amount) - they blamed the ESP (can not switch it fully off) for hindering the lap times.

**windyzz** · 12-11-2009, 09:58 AM

MPS is just useless, Why bothered with that much power if it can't put the power down -__-.
I think MPS will be much better if it has 160-170kw and bit lower torque.
But then still no comparison to the new GTI (The GTI is just better in every aspect).

**Swallowtail** · 12-11-2009, 10:04 AM

MPS 3 is not useless... they are a great fun drive. Awesome power, yes 1st gear is a bit useless, but once you are moving holy mackerel they are fast. GTI is a more balanced drive in every way, so I agree with the overall comaprison, but trust me that an MPS3 is still one hell of a hoot to drive.

You have to treat its power with respect, but don't underestimate them...

**windyzz** · 12-11-2009, 10:12 AM

Yeah, they are fast car but if you plainly want a fast and fun car hot hatch I wouldn't go pass the Megane F1, or Clio, or WRX.

IMO they are just more fun then MPS.
BUt i dunno.

**Corey_R** · 12-11-2009, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by windyzz

MPS is just useless, Why bothered with that much power if it can't put the power down -__-.

Obviously it's not useless if it can BEAT the GTI around a track. That's actually really concerning. The previous MPS was always slammed as not having good handling, but now this one has enough handling to beat the GTI on a track.

Is there really NO WAY to disable ESP on a GTI? What about on a GTI with an APR ECU update?!

**gareth_oau** · 12-11-2009, 11:27 AM

I also noted that for the track comparison the MPs was done on a dry track, whereas the GTI was done on a drying track, so even those comparisons are not direct.

With the traction control not being fully switchable I wonder if this could be easily overcome with VAGCOM?

I still the believe the GTI is a far more sophisticated looking piece of kit - the MPS looks like its trying to appeal to the power rangers brigade

**MurphyTheElf** · 12-11-2009, 09:56 AM

Was the 6.5 second 0-100 result with the launch control programme, or was it a manual for a apples/apples comparison with the MPS?

I'm surprised about the MPS beating it around a track - I wonder if that will consistently be replicated in future reviews.

**cme2c** · 12-11-2009, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by MurphyTheElf

Was the 6.5 second 0-100 result with the launch control programme, or was it a manual for a apples/apples comparison with the MPS?

I'm surprised about the MPS beating it around a track - I wonder if that will consistently be replicated in future reviews.

It was DSG. According to the mag, VWA couldn't supply the manual they wanted.