Golf R -v- Golf GTI

[runningmanz]

Hang on, the 3.5 the R got was based on lost points due to lack of airbags in the Recaro seats. Fitted with normal seats the scores average to exactly 4.0.
Also the R gets 2.5 for safety with the Recaro seats (and their lack of side airbags), and 3.5 with regular seats. The GTi gets 4.5, how is a GTi safer than an R? Dont they have exactly the same airbag setup and NCAP rating?

Yeah I don't get why it only gets 3.5. Nitpicking their test car configuration?? The R has better handling, is quicker and is safer(5 star ncap, awd vs fwd) for starters over the GTI yet is lower in score? The only drawbacks I can see for the R are the price and less low down torque which don't really worry me. Not bagging the GTI at all its awesome as well but the pluses far outweigh the few minuses for me on the R.