Golf R Observations and Questions

**Corey_R** · 07-07-2011, 10:18 PM

Previously the vehicle modification standards were made in the 70's. So you could "increase capacity up to a certain %" without requiring engineering. Obviously they didn't have "ECU's" in the 70s so I am under the impression that ECU flashes have fit within the "increased capacity" context because they are used to achieve the same thing.

However, the new standards coming into effect contains statements such as "that does not result in an increase in its original capacity and/or power output and which do not cause any increase in vehicle emissions above those limits that apply to the vehicle" - so it's changed from the old documents. So this would mean that yes, we'll soon be forced to have cars emissions tested and engineered just for an ECU flash.

The thing with ESP modifications though, who is going to "engineer" that... I'd say that it's something that the engineers would be very relucant to look into even if the regulations allow it... but who knows.

But the next few years are going to be interesting in the aftermarket performance market. This looks to effectively kill the "local exhaust shops" or "custom tune" shops that exist today. Emissions testing procedures in Australia are far too expensive to be practical for these custom products. I could imagine that even the lower volume "off the shelf" products may find it difficult to be economically feisible. I guess time will tell :/

**adzy** · 07-07-2011, 10:19 PM

Shoot! I changed my tyre pressure's today, maybe my car is now illegal? At least the RTA make tv commercials to save lives as well, useless tossers!

**Fab_R** · 08-07-2011, 07:40 AM

Motor Magazine BFYB

Has anyone seen read the latest issue.

The Golf GTI and Polo GTI are both in it.

Interesting results. One even more surprising.

Strangely no Golf R?!

**team_v** · 08-07-2011, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Fab_R

Motor Magazine BFYB

Has anyone seen read the latest issue.

The Golf GTI and Polo GTI are both in it.

Interesting results. One even more surprising.

Strangely no Golf R?!

Latest TopGear hot hatch test (Season 17, Episode 2) didn't even include a VW.
The polo is a wicked bit of kit when tuned, when it comes down to it, power to weight ratio is ultimately more important than drivetrain.

Still, completely different cars in a completely different price range.

**Ryan_R** · 08-07-2011, 07:59 AM

Yeah, it was a shame to see them pick the same sort of cars that they've been driving in the previous seasons. One of them wasn't even a hatch

Fifth Gear once did a thing about Bluefin using a Passat but that was ages ago.

Still, a decent episode though

**D_Mag** · 08-07-2011, 10:34 AM

The shows/magazines etc can't test cars if the manufacturer doesn't give them one.

**Corey_R** · 08-07-2011, 10:59 AM

Well they can... they just need to
1) buy them themselves
2) twist one of the dealer's arms to borrow one
3) borrow one from an owner

Top Gear have done all three in the past

**Ryan_R** · 08-07-2011, 11:11 AM

4) Substitue a similar car but pretend it's the car you wanted (as in the case of that Bently)

**delxa** · 08-07-2011, 11:14 AM

It's interesting that at the end of last year, Top Gear gave the best Hot Hatch award to the Golf R but I'm pretty sure they hadn't actually featured one. They tested the R32 back in Season 7 or 8 against the 1 series (the latter of which was absolutely trounced by the former in almost every aspect except for going sideways)

To my recollection, the Clio Sport 197 or DS3 Racing hadn't been featured before however the Arbath 500 certainly has. I think as far as Top Gear is concerned, the GTI and the R are foregone conclusions. They know they are good, they know everyone else knows they are good. The idea is to bring to the forefront of people's minds cars that they may not have previously considered but are none the less thrilling to drive, if perhaps not up to the fit and finish standard and overall popularity of the Golf.

**adzy** · 08-07-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by team_v

Latest TopGear hot hatch test (Season 17, Episode 2) didn't even include a VW.
The polo is a wicked bit of kit when tuned, when it comes down to it, power to weight ratio is ultimately more important than drivetrain.

Still, completely different cars in a completely different price range.

So true, I got so excited when I heard them say hot hatch... and then the dissapointment of no VW's

bastards