Golf R -v- Golf GTI

**WhiteJames** · 23-04-2013, 07:19 PM

More Mark 7 Golf GTI goodness ... on video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96fxpepWb7w

Cheers.
WJ

**andrew7** · 23-04-2013, 08:10 PM

Keep up the good work SF and WJ: 3000 posts here we come!

**WhiteJames** · 24-04-2013, 08:44 AM

Autocar.co.uk journo Steve Sutcliffe's assessment of the MK7 Golf GTI.

The E-diff Haldex LSD on the Power-Pack appears to have two modes: Normal and Sport. No doubt Sport would lock up faster & harder for less understeer & more pull out of corners. Interesting to see that understeer is greatly reduced compared to the MK6 Golf GTI without sacrificing and rear end grip as the case can be when going for f&r adjustable aftermarket sway bars. The Mark 7 Golf GTI has 15% added roll stiffness over the MK6 GTI, helping it stay nice & flat and composed in the corners. E-diff is a must. See video link:

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 video review Car Video | Autocar

Cheers.
WJ

**WhiteJames** · 24-04-2013, 03:10 PM

Had a bit of time to inspect to the new Golf 7 today. If the MK6 and MK7 were balloons, it appears that the MK7 is a Mark 6 that is blown up about 15% to much & needs some air let out if it. The rear lights improve the look in an audi way. The front end slope is out of character with the rest of the Golf 7's wedginess and the Golf 7 seems to look a bit more like a Golf Plus imo. Merc has made their A-Class look more hatchback like, VW has made the Golf 7 look more like an earlier model Merc A esp around the tall bonnet.

Inside the Golf 7 TSI, both on the std and high spec models, the rear plastic on the sill of the rear windows appears to have gone from soft touch to hard plastic. Well, on my GTI, the rear door passenger sills are soft touch plastic. The Ford Focus has soft front & hard rear door sill plastic which also appear to be a mismatch ... I don't like it and it appears to be an obvious sign of cost cutting.

I'm sure the Golf 7 drives better, but I thought it would look longer, wider and flatter in the external body ... it somehow doesn't. I also checked out the BRZ and FT86 while at motor city ... these coupes seem to give you a more sense of occassion when stepping into them, despite having a overall cheaper interior & radios/SatNav, although most the things a driver touches (ie steering wheel, grab handles) most of the time are reasonably good quality in the twins. BRZ wait time is down to 4 months now and only 40K d/away with a few options.

Still think my MK6 Golf GTI with slightly lower ride height looks better than the Mark 7 Golf with exception of the rear end. The Sirocco's in stock appear to be aging and are a bit easier for entry & egress in and out of the driver's seat than the BRZ/FT86 twins. Long doors are always an issue for garage/carparks.

Cheers.
WJ