The front and rear lights on the GTI are a huge improvement and look much better to me than the current ones. Makes you wonder how they are going to differentiate the R at the front
https://youtu.be/aq2eCk9jLFg
That's the point, you don't differentiate it, it goes under the radar.
Hopefully the facelift R won't go under the radar. Top end hatchback with 300 plus ponies should look more aggressive than it currently does. Let's face it, the cat is well and truly out out the bag, most car enthusiasts will be able to tell the difference between the GTI/R by now even if they don't own one. So may as well make its looks match its performance and not be so meh
I actually think the current R looks pretty aggressive in the flesh, it was a pleasant surprise to me when I finally got mine that it did so. It doesn't translate quite so in photos and it lacks some of the presence of the mk6 R, but I like the balance it strikes between under the radar and showing intent. Time will tell what the FL R will be but I hope it's not too in your face.
Agree with this, has far more presence than thought it had and having had the pleasure going side by side with my cars double last Friday, where we exchanged sport sounds
can testify them sweet notes are more than noticeable even from a sealed cabin, so even if not notice its a performance Golf you soon realise when moves up beside you.
But its wider and lowered stance with Pretoria, 4 exhausts, twin U DRL and in my case signature Lapiz for me shows plenty but suitably subtle enough intent.
Actually like the new DRL on the GTI as think the red stripe never really tied in with the lights as well as should, but the angular nature is definitely more aligned to other brands and if have the integrated tailpipes more so IE: Mercedes.
Having digested everything yesterday about the only item that thought maybe would like is the sweeping indicators but then you are very much open to being mistaken for an Audi, and personalty like the differentiation, so it was not even them in the end.
If the R goes down the angular twin DRL it will look like a GTI coming at you, so again more reason to be happy with the U shaped DRL, more signature R than ever.
Now seen the new vents, like the existing R vents more,
Think the biggest gamechanger would be the Cadiz are binned for better standard wheels,
But we shall see, but very happy have mine now, and by time mine is up for change the MK 8 will be at least a year in production, so can make a choice whether to change, or if really do not like direction gone, maybe just keep this one as might be the most desired then, and it does all I want a car to do now, and more really, and that not going to change and with only 21k on clock likely