« Reply #828 on: 30 July 2019, 13:59 »
Clarkson being a feature/columnist writer would get offered whatever models are being promoted and doing the press promo rounds. It must be a quiet time of year.
I guess the point of the comparison is the fact as standard the A35 looks like a base model Diesel and the Golf R doesn’t exactly grab ones attention visually unless you’re a Golf enthusiast.
So a comparison of a winged A35 loaded with extras and a TCR also with optional packages isn’t an unlikely one from a prospective buyers perspective and they’re head to head in BHP & ££££. Maybe it’s assumed that as the R and GTI have been around a good while owners are looking for something newer and very slightly different, but not too different.
4WD isn’t everything and can still bog down on launch if not in full traffic light race mode. The VAQ diff claws a lot of traction back.
This is quite a good head to head from the point of view of a buyer that doesn’t want Uber stealth looks but still wants a classy German hatch that packs a punch. A slightly less Q car than an R or standard A35.
Goes to show once again that after six or seven years the MQB Golfs still cut the mustard against much newer opposition and that now it’s seemingly likely the next gen GTI/R *won’t* have that extra 48v electric thrust now that unless you’re a touchscreen junkie the game hasn’t really moved on.
« Last Edit: 30 July 2019, 14:03 by Exonian »
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‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten
