Forgot to mention other metal on the way in 2012 - 2013 that would compete with the new crop of VAG hatches:
Ford Focus ST
Ford Fiesta ST
Ford Focus RS
Hyundai Veloster 2.0l Turbo Coupe & Hatch to follow (don't laugh - Hyundai is doing good things)
Impreza WRX Sedan & Wagon : see link 2012 Subaru Impreza - 2012 Subaru Impreza First Drive Review on RoadandTrack.com
The 2012 Impreza Wagon is not a bad looker imo.
Cheers
WJ
Golf R - 5 Door Manual Black over Silver
Online Strategy by Matt Bell
The Renault Clio 1.6l Turbo will use a motor from sister company Nissan and will come with Manual as standard equipment. It should be a good little drive. Turbo-charging is the future. Even BMW is trying to muscle in on VAG's act with the forthcoming BMW 120i 2.0l turbo set to be priced under $50,000 + orc - the last of the rear wheel drive hatches. With a proper optional LSD, RWD and turbo, the BMW looks the goods on paper for around 50K as a driver's vehicle, not the best looker mind you.
VW Golf GTI in BMW crosshairs | 1 series hatch
Even the BMW 118i at $42800 + orc with 1.6l turbo would be plenty good for daily driving esp. for city use where added power is not often required. It's (118i) lost a bit of beef at 1295kg compared to my GTI at 1380kg.
Cheers.
WJ
Mark 7 Golf due for release in Sept 2012 at Paris Motor Show - only a bit over 7 months away.
Production should commenced soon after.
VW Golf Mk7 (2012) scooped on test in Europe | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online
May mean that release in Aus could be around March 2013.
Audi 3dr MQB due for unveiling March 2012 with 5 door and S3 due for unveiling in Oct 2012 - with production of all unit likely to follow soon after.
North America may not receive the 5 door Audi A3 - perhaphs just the 4 door sedan version:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...-audi-a3-sedan
Cheers
WJ
looks like a WRX moment here.. maybe the MKVI will be the tipping point
Current Ride: MY 16 Daytona Pearl Grey Audi S3- Performance Pack 1, Sunroof and Driver assist
No pics, but more information about the MK7 on TopGear's website. >> Cancel the ST: next Golf GTI scooped - BBC Top Gear
Golf MK7: 20% cheaper build cost should have Volkswagen putting in more safety and optional extras, better quality interior and some half-decent hardware bits (like LSD and perhaps premium dampers) for same or similar cost as the MK6 Golf. Should be due for release in March 2013 and GTI perhaps in Oct 2013.
VW Golf Mk7 5dr (2013) the latest spyshots | Secret New Cars | Car Magazine Online
About same time as new Audi S3 could be due for release in Aus.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...ed-spy-photos/
Cheers.
WJ
I Like
"Electronic options take a step ahead, too: forward cameras for lane-keeping and auto-braking, and radar cruise (mind you, there's some on the Ford Focus already). There will also be a new Audi-developed top-end hi-fi/nav/connectivity system that uses an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen - as per an iPad - for far more accurate control and higher definition. It also has a proximity sensor, so it can show an uncluttered map, say, but when your finger gets close it'll switch to showing buttons."
captain courteous enjoys vag
I was more happy to read this (and I'm the IT geek who should be more interested in the infotainment system)
"Traction will be better, thanks to a new type of electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip diff, rather than the brake-based traction control the Mk6 currently uses."
Hopefully no more axle-tramp symptoms when accelerating quickly.
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