Interesting article about mk7 GTI

[I.D.C.]

I've made up my mind already as I want a convertible GT loaded up so will be trading in my GTI or selling later this year.
Have read that the man responsible for Fords sport models is now working at VW and has had a big say on it's development. - Edit ( on the GTI model )

[PenguinGTI]

As a GTD driver, I would like to point out that not everyone is after ultimate performance. There are are other factors 

If they make the MK7 100kg lighter and add another 20 horsies and 10% more MPG - then I will definitely consider buying another MK7 GTD

Nobody's saying it is all about performance but to be honest it is all about performance. I'm not talking 0-60 but performance of the package as a whole.

Take this response:

I must be different. Every time I see a RS265/RS250 or focus RS I always think to myself he's having more fun than me for less money.

True...
And one of the reasons I'll be looking at the new Astra VXR.
It looks pretty good, it'll drives very well (based on the lesser 'new' Astras), has more power than a remapped GTI, Xenons standard, adjustable damping standard, Recaro seats standard, a proper LSD, torque-steer limiting front suspension (lacking on a GTI!)...and for less than a GTI.
I bet it's paint doesn't fall off if you look at it, either.
Hmm...

If it doesn't look too 'Chavvy' in the metal...then I'll be having a close look.
It'll be a lot of car for the money.

Ess_Three's not looking at the VXR because of the quicker 0-60 time (although it is a factor) but instead because the Astra might well hit more bases than the GTI as an overall package. Mechanically it looks to be better equipped, more powerful, more purposefully set up and still cheaper.

Going back to what you've said:

If they make the MK7 100kg lighter and add another 20 horsies and 10% more MPG - then I will definitely consider buying another MK7 GTD

These aren't bad things, but the issue seems to be that the competition is doing more than just 10% improvements.

[carl1]

I wouldn't be seen dead in a VXR, i don't care if the GTI has less power or costs more, id rarther keep the car ive got than get a VXR. Vile cars Astras imo. If power and price is what its all about what the hell did mk6 GTI owners buy their car for when they could have bought a vxr with 240 ps for a lot less than a mk6 GTI.

[PenguinGTI]

I wouldn't be seen dead in a VXR, i don't care if the GTI has less power or costs more, id rarther keep the car ive got than get a VXR. Vile cars Astras imo. If power and price is what its all about what the hell did mk6 GTI owners buy their car for when they could have bought a vxr with 240 ps for a lot less than a mk6 GTI.

It's a fair point but when the Mk6 was released the Astra VXR was already a little bit long in the tooth and only offered a 27bhp increase over the GTI. Fair enough the VXR had been released long enough to offer some pretty discounts but when I personally bought my Mk6 the MK6 GTI was a £20k+ car rather than a 'just under £30k' car.

The Mk6 also followed closely enough from the Mk5 to enjoy some time near the top of the hot hatch table. It was never the most powerful but it's power deficit was not enough to alienate it from the competition.

Now however the game has changed significantly. The Mk6 is a 'just under £30k' car (£30k+ even depending on spec). I don't imagine the Mk7 will be much cheaper. In addition the competition has all stepped up. Don't get me wrong the GTI is still a potent performer and plenty capable but when it's up against competition with between 50-100bhp* more you have to wonder why VW is holding out.

*Of course some might argue that the more performance oriented hot hatches are not direct competitors to the GTI but the fact remains that they are still hatchbacks and that they are much hotter. Even the forthcoming Mercedes A Class AMG is potentially a rival to the GTI in that it offers serious pace, decent room and a bit of class for roughly the same money.

VW could end this thread (and the others like it) if they just gave the GTI the power it deserves from the factory.

[Ess_Three]

There's always Aldi for those who the badge means so much.

I even like the Megane. And it's French.
But then again...I bought a Skoda. And everyone knows thay are crap. Oh hang on...its paint was better than my Mk6 and the mats wore out less quickly. 

[Steve30]

There's always Aldi for those who the badge means so much.

I even like the Megane. And it's French.
But then again...I bought a Skoda. And everyone knows thay are crap. Oh hang on...its paint was better than my Mk6 and the mats wore out less quickly. 

Then theres the Yeti waiting list 11 months some people been waiting 

[The Doc]

There's always Aldi for those who the badge means so much.

I even like the Megane. And it's French.
But then again...I bought a Skoda. And everyone knows thay are crap. Oh hang on...its paint was better than my Mk6 and the mats wore out less quickly. 

Then theres the Yeti waiting list 11 months some people been waiting 

    

[Raffe]

i think they're going in the right direction with the aluminium roof and bonnet etc.

remember stuff like impreza's (old ones) only weight 1250kg or something and were like sh!t off a stick with just 200bhp so if the golf can shed that weight it will be pretty quick and better handling, better economy, better tyre and brake wear etc etc

My first imported Integra Type-R was 1060kgs and 197bhp, albeit it had been mildly modded too for a few more hp and it did feel very quick. I also had a supercharged Civic Type-R with a supercharger producing 285bhp with a 1260 kg weight, again ridiculously fast.

The Golf drew my in for exactly all the reasons a few others have said as its a brilliant all round car which my wife will happily drive as her daily, where the Hondas just made her moan 

I do feel it's slightly lacking performance wise in standard trim, but from what I have read the remap will change that, which is ideal.

If the Mk7 can build on the Mk6 with a reduced kerb weight I can't see it upsetting the enthusiasts who follow the marque, be interesting to see the differences made, I wonder if the new A3 will give any clues?

[andykram]

My budget is, tops, about £25k so a new GTi will be out of the question for me next time. Nearly new is the best I will be able to hope for. Which also means I will look at nearly new other makes for £25k.

And therein lies the problem. Maybe I'm wrong but I always thought the Golf GTi was a sporty hatch for those who aspired to something a bit better than then norm but still needed a good all rounder. That's why I bought my first GTi (a Mk3) and have since bought 2 Mk4s a Mk6 and 2 Mk2s, the second of which (the 16v in my signature) I still think is a fantastic car. However, at nearly £30k the Golf GTi is no longer such a car - it's a very expensive high value car which competes directly with BMW, Audi, Mercedes et al. This has always been my beef with VW, mostly due to the fact that they have priced me out of a car I always loved. Which p****s me off!!!!!!

Also, as I've always said, I will look at the whole market when it comes to change. Unfortunately, it's several years off yet so I might not even be able to afford a nearly new GTi which is where the ST, VXR etc. will inevitably come in to the equation.

[carl1]

It will be a mk7 gti for me, if over 26.5k i'll go the next class up to a BMW