Obviously I don’t have a crystal ball and much of the “tech for tech’s sake” has been discussed to death in the mk8 thread, but looking at the main rivals for the mk8 GTI/R then dynamically they’ve not moved the game on despite being recently released models (A class and 1 series). The insides are much of a muchness with screens and option packs to make the screens even more like an XBOX fest so people can spend even less time concentrating on the actual job in hand - driving!
With the mk8 we will get 1 series and A Class rivalling screens surrounding us and full cinema mode in all of the options are ticked. All lovely and embraced by many on here I’m sure who will deem it all “essential”.
The success of the Mk7 R has made it such that instead of a middle ground super competent Golf R versus an expensive A45 or a charismatic M140i being massively different in character, all our choices will be circa 300bhp 4WD tech fests at the upper end of the performance 4cyl hatch bracket, with the proper hot hatches (FWD) being similar variations on a theme with less power and off the line traction (Focus ST, Golf GTI, i30N, Civic). It’ll actually be the FWD hatches that will be more diverse in character. And I’m glad of that, I’d swap fun for a few BHP.
Point being the TCR and Ed40 (plus of course the CSS in a much greater sense) are limited run cars for enthusiasts so I think the tech on these cars (which dates so quickly anyway, even the new VW i car thingies seem to be named like iPhones to demonstrate how quickly the tech moves on) will be less important down the line when owned as second or third cars by GTI enthusiasts, but the tech on them is quite sufficient right now and the Golf seems to be in good demand still.
Maybe it’s just as likely the prevalence of SUV’s and the incoming i type electric cars will mean the venerable old Golf platform itself will soon be seen as archaic.
Colleague sold on his GTI a while back, a MK 6 Candy White 3 Door with them lovely Glendale alloy and I think I was more upset than him, as loved that car, it was still a really nice place to sit despite the supposed ageing tech.
And so If not in position to drive the newer versions then I would happily go back in time for a clean low mileage version of a MK 6 GTI (ED35) as it may not be on the cutting edge of the MQB drive or the tech, it will however still genuinely fit all I truly need.
Its an attitude might take to the TCR, if it's a good un, it might be my first keeper as seek to avoid the upcoming move to characterless interior.
Personally think that anyone who is at the timing for a change avoids the MK 8 and waits on some of the deals that will come with the outgoing MK 7 as you likely get a real bargain.
Will reference one customer with cash they might alienate and thats the senior citizen as my father in law struggles with the basic tech on his Polo so these screens and menus will really confuse some of a certain age (of course the generations will catch up to the tech)
