The hardest choice of all: GTI or R?

[keelaw]

The R32 had about 275 litres of boot space vs the GTI's 350.  That's over 20% less capacity.

Would presume a similar difference between the R and the GTI.

[Booski]

Score 1 for the gti. 

[mac7]

The R32 had about 275 litres of boot space vs the GTI's 350.  That's over 20% less capacity.

Would presume a similar difference between the R and the GTI.

Yeah, but do you often use over 80% of the boot volume in a GTI? I'd guess that the 20% immediately below the parcel shelf is usually empty.

On our roads for 95% of the time the GTI will do everything the R will do just as capably. I just want that extra 5% available to me when I need it, so the R gets my vote. Plus, no matter how well they engineer it (Ford Focus RS), front wheel drive is too limited for higher power outputs.

[R32UK]

if the R32 was anything to go by.. i could corner about 10%+ faster than the gti. The R having some 20bhp more and being lighter is going to be a serious tool. Anyone thinking a regular (non-modded) GTI can keep up is just kidding themselves.

[mac7]

if the R32 was anything to go by.. i could corner about 10%+ faster than the gti.

I'll have to revise my 95% comparison now... 

[Snoopy]

if the R32 was anything to go by.. i could corner about 10%+ faster than the gti. The R having some 20bhp more and being lighter is going to be a serious tool. Anyone thinking a regular (non-modded) GTI can keep up is just kidding themselves.

Are you saying you could go round corners 10% faster in the R32 simply because it is 4WD (im confused)
There was a good episode of 5th gear a few years back (strainge i know) that showed cornering grip and ability was not down to what wheels the car was driven with but it was about the suspension, tyre contact area and chassis. The only time the driving wheels FWD, RWD, 4WD come into it is been able to put the power down or how it is put down or not and what happens when you over do the power on the limit, understear, over, 4 wheel drift etc.

[R32UK]

if the R32 was anything to go by.. i could corner about 10%+ faster than the gti. The R having some 20bhp more and being lighter is going to be a serious tool. Anyone thinking a regular (non-modded) GTI can keep up is just kidding themselves.

Are you saying you could go round corners 10% faster in the R32 simply because it is 4WD (im confused)
There was a good episode of 5th gear a few years back (strainge i know) that showed cornering grip and ability was not down to what wheels the car was driven with but it was about the suspension, tyre contact area and chassis. The only time the driving wheels FWD, RWD, 4WD come into it is been able to put the power down or how it is put down or not and what happens when you over do the power on the limit, understear, over, 4 wheel drift etc.

the R32 has the same tyre contact, and same chassis, but not same suspension and set up iirc. you can get the power down much earlier in corners, hence your speed out of the corners will be greater....

you really should try one.. esp the kick down from start is quite a suprise to many, goes like sh1t off a shovel

[BCR]

I have driven BMW for 30 years (partly because my former employment at BMW AG  ) until I stumbled over the GTI MkV...
As a driving experience the GTI is fine but the major drawback is still FWD and I honestly miss RWD !
Everybody knows that RWD is superior and the grip/acceleration out of corners will never be matched by FWD cars. As definite as the laws of gravity, friction, balance/weight etc...

Thats why RWD cars (ie. BMW) always will be penalised by extra weight vs. FWD cars in the regulations of Supertouring (WTCC etc).

Ponder that the Golf GTI was RWD (dream on!)- this would have killed the market for the BMW 1-series for sure !!

I think the argument for Golf R is simply 4WD, it can be a milestone in hot hatch history or a seroius yawn...

Judgement day will be the first test drive... I can´t wait!

/Hakan
Lund, Sweden

PS. Pardon my primitive english

[Hurdy]

Who says higher bhp's and FWD don't mix?

The issue is that with the new Golf R you SHOULD get the best of both worlds if VW do it right.

The Golf R will be tuneable from day one as all the modding goodies are already out there for the engine.

Would I swap my ED30 for one.......watch this space

[R32UK]

now a heavily modded R I would love to see!!   

Got your order in yet Hurdy??