Hindsight

Rest assured …. The Golf 7 GTI pulls cleanly from low revs. My tractability test heading west on Foreshore Drive towards Beauchamp Street on an uphill gradient had the Golf 7 GTI chugging along comfortably in both 5th and 6th gears at low revs.

5th and 6th gears in the Manual Trans Golf 7 GTI are very tall. In the 60-70-80kph speed limit drive, I found myself keeping the Golf 7 Manual in 3rd and 4th gear mainly, as this felt to be most comfortable without unduly laboring the motor.

The new generation dual injection EA888 motor of the Golf 7 GTI brings the power delivery closer to the GTD. You have loads of low down punchy torque and fantastic in hear acceleration, but a less frenetic top end. It takes a bit of excitement away from the motor. I can see why Volkswagen-Audi group have done this for improved fuel economy under load – keep the motor revving in the lower end of the tachometer to enhance fuel economy.

It doesn’t surprise me that the new Golf 7 GTI has not posted much faster acceleration times than the outgoing MK6 GTI. I think where the Golf 7 GTI will excel (Golf R/Audi S3 for that matter) is torque-rich in-gear acceleration (80-120kph), similar to what a diesel motor offers out on the freeway.

In comparison, the older MK6 GTI feels to have less torque available from down low, but feels like it has a lighter-weight flywheel in that it wants to rev faster and more freely, especially higher up in the rev-range (4500rpm +). This makes it feel like a more peaky motor that spools faster and with in a frenzied manner.

We need to bear in mind that the Golf 7 GTI tester motor was still quite tight with low mileage.

I think the EA888 direct-injection motor in the MK6 GTI will go down as the most characterful turbo motor in recent VAG memory. Additionally: part of the MK6 GTI lack of traction during acceleration may be put down to the way the direct injected EA888 motor develops its fast spooling & peaky power delivery.

Another thing affecting the chassis balance of the new Golf 7 GTI in terms of its ability to reduce under-steer during cornering is that the motor now sits further rearwards in relation to the front axle. The MK6 GTI has the motor hanging further out front, which makes it a bit more of a handful during cornering maneuvres. You also sit lower in the Golf 7 GTI, which also creates a sensation of sportiness as opposed to the more upright seating position of the MK6 GTI.

Both Ray and I felt that the mob at Five Dock and Mascot Volkswagen easier to deal with than our local dealer when it comes to consulting for information. Ray, much to my consternation, ended buying the Five Dock MD's demo Golf R. Thankfully, it doesn't drink any oil.

WJ