Golf R and Gti PP back to back test drive

[matchboy]

Performance: R Wins (Of course it does, it has 70 more BHP and 30NM more Torque than the PP)
Looks: GTI Front, R Back.
Practicality: Close but the GTI wins due to a bigger boot.
Economy: GTI is marginally more frugal than the R so wins this one.
Overall: Can't really call it.

Having had both cars I agree with Mr Savage on all these points.  So at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what you can afford - and what you want.  Personally, I want an Audi R8 V10, but that ain't gonna happen soon 

[Waspy]

Performance: R Wins (Of course it does, it has 70 more BHP and 30NM more Torque than the PP)
Looks: GTI Front, R Back.
Practicality: Close but the GTI wins due to a bigger boot.
Economy: GTI is marginally more frugal than the R so wins this one.
Overall: Can't really call it.

Having had both cars I agree with Mr Savage on all these points.  So at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what you can afford - and what you want.  Personally, I want an Audi R8 V10, but that ain't gonna happen soon 

You can have the 4.2 for not far off the price of an R...
Used, of course

[dubber36]

An .:R, or GTI/D for that matter is an everyday, do everything including take you shiit to the tip type of car. Comparing it to an R8, be that new verses used, is hardly relevant. Is it?

[am1w]

Car Magazine will be conducting a 9 car shootout with the R. Jan '15 Issue probably. Be interesting how the R fares.

It will be pitted against:
BMW M4 Coupé, Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy-R, Jaguar F-Type R Coupé , BMW i8, McLaren 650S Spider, Porsche Cayman GTS, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Alfa Romeo 4C.

[fredgroves]

So, to summarize, this thread in a single headline:    "more expensive, higher performance car in surprise fuel economy and practicality shocker"

If you compared the GT to the GTI you'd probably come to the same conclusion...

There's very little in (road) car choice that's about anything more than budget and heart IMHO.

[am1w]

So, to summarize, this thread in a single headline:    "more expensive, higher performance car in surprise fuel economy and practicality shocker"
If you compared the GT to the GTI you'd probably come to the same conclusion...
There's very little in (road) car choice that's about anything more than budget and heart IMHO.

Or,
In the words of Andrew Frankel, Autocar:
The R is a car for all seasons and reasons.
It's a landmark in real-world performance car design.

[dubber36]

In the words of Andrew Frankel, Autocar:
The R is a car for all seasons and reasons.
It's a landmark in real-world performance car design.

I wonder how much the hospitality laid on by car manufacturers for the journalists influences what we see in the press? I was talking to a friend in R&D at Honda who was talking to me about the sort of jollies they were laying on for the hacks when presenting the Civic Type R.

[Booth11]

In the words of Andrew Frankel, Autocar:
The R is a car for all seasons and reasons.
It's a landmark in real-world performance car design.

I wonder how much the hospitality laid on by car manufacturers for the journalists influences what we see in the press? I was talking to a friend in R&D at Honda who was talking to me about the sort of jollies they were laying on for the hacks when presenting the Civic Type R.

I'd like to think  motoring hacks are cynical enough to take full advantage of the hospitality and then write the truth 

[am1w]

In the words of Andrew Frankel, Autocar:
The R is a car for all seasons and reasons.
It's a landmark in real-world performance car design.

I wonder how much the hospitality laid on by car manufacturers for the journalists influences what we see in the press? I was talking to a friend in R&D at Honda who was talking to me about the sort of jollies they were laying on for the hacks when presenting the Civic Type R.

Oooh, you cynic! The plaudits for the R are pretty universal. If what you say is partially correct, it must have been some mega hospitality! 

[dubber36]

It happens. Deep down, we all know it does.

Also, I'm not sure that being paid to spend a couple of days blasting over Welsh mountains in a convoy of laid on cars with your mates, will give a realistic representation of what these cars are going to be like when used for the mundane duties of a daily workhorse. It's easy to be swayed by what we read, but the reality is, very few of us will ever experience/appreciate what the hacks tell us about.