Engine sweet spot

[corgi]

I think your signature says it all... "A bit quicker than the Ibiza but doesn't feel it"

I suspect that the significantly improved refinement is, at least in part, making you feel like this. Some would argue that a long throttle pedal is a good thing, making it easier to modulate the power.

VW have worked hard to deliver a very flat torque curve to make the car more drivable across the widest range of engine speeds and loads (within the confines of other factors, such as emissions, longevity etc.). What this means is that you shouldn't be experiencing a spike in the power leaving you with a power delivery which is very linear but lacks that shove you get from old school turbos and normally aspirated cars with a pronounced power band - I remember my "classic" shape Saab 900 Turbo 16s... nothing... nothing... 1/4 mile down the road and my Integra Type Rs, a massive change in acceleration as the second cam came on song, the S2000 was similar but less pronounced in the end you learned to drive accordingly.

When I drove the Mk7 GTI the other week this was not in evidence... I thought it had a smooth, linear power delivery with little turbo lag... I thought the throttle response was a little slow but that's often the way with turbo cars... but my only current reference is to my normally aspirated 911 or the g/fs new 120d (which has very slow throttle response in Eco Pro mode and acceptable in Sport +)...

[GrahamS]

You guys (and others with paintwork problems) have got me really worried now.
I'm expecting my GTI next March, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's going to be money well spent or a regret.
The last thing I want is to be landed with an expensive dud, and would be quite prepared to lose £500 deposit if I felt I was going end up with donkey. 

[corgi]

You guys (and others with paintwork problems) have got me really worried now.
I'm expecting my GTI next March, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's going to be money well spent or a regret.
The last thing I want is to be landed with an expensive dud, and would be quite prepared to lose £500 deposit if I felt I was going end up with donkey. 

That will depend on your expectations and what you're coming from.

I've ordered a GTD as a company car. I wanted something that had reasonable performance, low emissions (to keep the tax bill down), would be comfortable to drive all day, handled well... I don't believe I'll be disappointed... I have a 911 in the garage for went I want excitement 

As for the paintwork issues, they sound pretty isolated to me - that's not to belittle the ones that are suffering them and from the threads I've seen they seem to be down to transportation or dealer prep...

[Darlo]

Been reading this thread with interest.... You guys are hard to please!

I'm still in the running in phase of my gti but I have to say I'm more than happy with the power and torque delivery (think its sounds great as well). I am a true petrol head having been lucky to own some quick cars over the years so have plenty to compare it to. Think its important to remember its only 220bhp, in my opinion though it feels a fair bit quicker than the figures suggest.

I've not taken mine above 5k revs but once your above the 2.5k revs it really seems to come alive. I'm looking forward to running up another couple of hundred miles so I can give it the full beans.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

This GTI is by no means a dud or a donkey (@GrahamS)! Far from it. It's a fantastic car that I'm just learning to live with.

I just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the engine characteristics. On reflection I feel I should have waited until the engine was fully run in before posting my findings.

[Exonian]

This GTI is by no means a dud or a donkey (@GrahamS)! Far from it. It's a fantastic car that I'm just learning to live with.

I just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the engine characteristics. On reflection I feel I should have waited until the engine was fully run in before posting my findings.

No, I think you were right to vent what you thought was not a good feature. It could well change a little when the engine loosens up but it won't change massively unless there's something in the software that clicks over at a certain number of kilometres which I sincerely doubt.
I think it's just how the ECU is mapped.
It will suit some people better than others.

I drive quite a variety of vehicles weekly (mostly Diesels admittedly) and thus I get a feel for things.

[GrahamFR]

I have the dtuk box from my FR. Didn't like it on that so took it off and it's currently residing at the bottom of a vase somewhere. When I get my gti I will try it on that if it fits which I am assuming it will, but if again I don't like it which I am assuming I won't one of you guys can have it on here foc as its just gathering dust and I have lost the little fuses that let you 'adjust' the response of it slightly, but they should be easy to source or replicate as they were just tiny little resistors I think.

[matchboy]

I think my post may have been a little misleading, so to correct:

I find the power delivery smooth and from the off - it may be a placebo effect but i feel there is a little more punch around 4k revs, however up to that point its by no means sluggish - no one should have any concerns!