GTI Clubsport

**Jimi** · 18-05-2015, 10:52 PM

The V8 Mustang is almost worth the stretch. That car will shake up the $50-$60k segment.

If we get a manual GTI Clubsport, I can't see myself buying it even though I really wanted a manual PP. It doesn't look understated enough for me - much less so than other special edition GTIs - and I also don't understand how it can be that much more satisfying putting more power through the front wheels only, even with the diff. The R manual remains very tempting, though I'd probably need to see the next generation infotainment system as well to justify an upgrade

**whoalse** · 19-05-2015, 05:51 PM

Yeah. The infotainment system seems pathetic.

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**WhiteJames** · 19-05-2015, 08:09 PM

I agree: The Mustang will likely steal lots of sales both both the 5.0L and Ecoboost markets. Perhaps even steal a few sales from hot hatch owners too.

From a resale point of view: the Manual Golf R would make more sense. You'd likely receive 3-5K more come sale time 3-4 years later over and above the GTI. Issue with the Golf R Manual is that the manual does not appear to be the best box for that type of motor, unlike the GTI.

The R is also heavier, has a higher centre of gravity as the motor sits higher to accommodate the extra driveshafts, wheels are bigger and the ride is much firmer than the GTI, so much so, I'm not so sure that I could live with it on a daily basis (no such concern with the previous MK6 Golf R).

The Clubsport will ride firmer than the standard GTI, but whether it rides as firm as the Golf R remains to be experienced. Judging by the SEAT Leon Coupe R reviews, perhaps not. I found that because my manual GTI is so light in weight, it sometime skips over small undulations that fail to trigger the high speed compression damping. It's like the compression in the dampers are that bit too firm for low speeds on bumpy inner city roadways.

I'd imagine that the Clubsport GTI would be running firmer rebound rate in the dampers to compensate for this to a degree. Once on the move, the Clubsport will not doubt be more agile and demanding to drive ... like it has the Sirocco R running gear in a GTI, albeit with a detuned Golf 7 R motor and larger turbo.

I've found that the unlike the MK6 Golf R, the Golf 7 R has the best iteration of the 2.0 litre EA888 turbo motor regarding tune/lag/turbo boost. It feels like the GTI is that bit too much detuned to compensate for softer suspension tune, with sticky throttle. That's why I've been running Individual Mode with only the throttle changed from Normal to Sport.

WJ

**Sharkie** · 19-05-2015, 08:51 PM

I'm waiting on a drive in the V8 Mustang before I make my next purchase decision ..... After 11 VWs I may buy my 1st ever Ford

On my shortlist is the Mustang and a S3 sedan in a manual. The Mk7 R and this GTI Clubsport as awesome as they are just don't make me want 1 whereas the S3 and Mustang most of all does .....

**AdamD** · 20-05-2015, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

On my shortlist is the Mustang and a S3 sedan in a manual. The Mk7 R and this GTI Clubsport as awesome as they are just don't make me want 1 whereas the S3 and Mustang most of all does .....

Can't go wrong with an S3 sedan in manual!