Confused thoughts Fred!
I will try to write up some comprehensible notes after it has gone back this w/end.
In short though - imho the reported chassis improvements for Mk 8 are real - the Mk 8 GTE handles and steers even better than my Mk 7.5 GTI PP (granted my car is on GTI suspension and 19" Brescias vs GTE suspension and 18" wheels). It just feels more planted and better damped - it's very impressive to drive swiftly - a very controlled chassis set up.
However with almost everything else I prefer my 7.5 GTI PP. There is not a single exterior angle that the Mk 8 looks better from. The interior of the Mk 8 is slabby and hard plastic and no kind of forward step for me. And whilst I do like the size/shape/feel of the new Mk 8 steering wheel, I hate the 'buttons' on it (which are not buttons at all and feel horrible). And don't start me on the shiny plastic heating 'sliders' etc - all just nasty.
Interestingly/surprisingly (to me) what has worked best with the GTE has been the pure electric drive (ie when fully charged). I managed to drive all the way into work (25 miles) without using a single thimble full of petrol, and that was including motorway driving - it was quite happy using full electric at 80 mph and pulling. It was super smooth and quiet under full electric and every bit brisk enough for commuting.
So I both love it/hate it. Total mixed bag. But the bottom line is I will be v glad to get back into my own car because it is the classic 9/10 package at everything - it looks fantastic (inside and out), goes great, steers great - there are just no 'buts' about it, and that simply cannot be said about the Mk 8.