GTI Edition 50 first press release

[CrunchtheApple78]

Gotcha, I will bear that in mind! Likely I just misread it and got a bit touchy…

I am leaning towards going for the perf pack. You only live once I suppose! Will just have to slow down a bit in the wet and strengthen my core… although the suggestion of switching the tyres is a fair one if they do prove a bit too unsuitable for the heavy rain.

It will be my daily driver, I will hopefully take it on a few track days. Tend to do less that 10k miles a year and hope to keep it for a good 6 to 8 years.

[Exonian]

Yes, my apologies, most of the rubbish that comes out of my keyboard is an acquired taste at the very least and I was zipping about a bit so probably should have gone in heavier with the emojis.
This forum is a bit like a friendly country pub rather than some more formal nerdy message boards so you’ll have to excuse an occasional village idiot like myself passing through.

Personal opinion, the Performance pack would be sought after on second hand models so its value would be reasonably well maintained long term. I sincerely doubt you’d notice any significant differences on the road other than crashiness over potholes on a road car (similar to a GTI TCR) as far as sharpness goes because the Clubsport handles really well anyway. But the nerd points alone would be a huge draw for the Perf Pack.
Personally I wouldn’t spec it but I’d recommend anyone even considering it to go for it owing to its second hand market desirability and maybe if it was actually really good you’d kick yourself for not speccing it. A bit of a leap of faith required but I’d trust VW engineers.
On previous VW models where bucket seats were offered as options these cars fetched better money and were always a talking point so I’d expect the Performance Pack to be much played by VW’s advertising and influencers which will lift the image and therefore desirability so probably well worth ticking that box in the absence of bucket seats. Same goes for the fluffy steering wheel option.

Tyres, Andrew Chapple of volkwizard, states the Bridgestones are way better in the damp than the Cup 2’s VW previously used, so potentially useable in the UK as summer tyres. Then get a second set for winter use fitted with Michelin all season tyres. Some Estoril replicas for £600 and Michelins for another £600 could be a wise buy for winter salt and potholes etc thus preserving the expensive Warmenau wheels for use during the daylight months.
If you’re going to do track days then definitely spec the Performance Pack although a standard Clubsport can hold its own pretty well.

Right, I really am going to shut up now and let actual buyers discuss.

[Watts]

Right, I really am going to shut up now and let actual buyers discuss.

So even if your dealer made you a great offer on a standard white Ed50 you'd say no? With your reputation?

[Exonian]

Right, I really am going to shut up now and let actual buyers discuss.

So even if your dealer made you a great offer on a standard white Ed50 you'd say no? With your reputation?

 

[CrunchtheApple78]

Yes, my apologies, most of the rubbish that comes out of my keyboard is an acquired taste at the very least and I was zipping about a bit so probably should have gone in heavier with the emojis.
This forum is a bit like a friendly country pub rather than some more formal nerdy message boards so you’ll have to excuse an occasional village idiot like myself passing through.

Personal opinion, the Performance pack would be sought after on second hand models so its value would be reasonably well maintained long term. I sincerely doubt you’d notice any significant differences on the road other than crashiness over potholes on a road car (similar to a GTI TCR) as far as sharpness goes because the Clubsport handles really well anyway. But the nerd points alone would be a huge draw for the Perf Pack.
Personally I wouldn’t spec it but I’d recommend anyone even considering it to go for it owing to its second hand market desirability and maybe if it was actually really good you’d kick yourself for not speccing it. A bit of a leap of faith required but I’d trust VW engineers.
On previous VW models where bucket seats were offered as options these cars fetched better money and were always a talking point so I’d expect the Performance Pack to be much played by VW’s advertising and influencers which will lift the image and therefore desirability so probably well worth ticking that box in the absence of bucket seats. Same goes for the fluffy steering wheel option.

Tyres, Andrew Chapple of volkwizard, states the Bridgestones are way better in the damp than the Cup 2’s VW previously used, so potentially useable in the UK as summer tyres. Then get a second set for winter use fitted with Michelin all season tyres. Some Estoril replicas for £600 and Michelins for another £600 could be a wise buy for winter salt and potholes etc thus preserving the expensive Warmenau wheels for use during the daylight months.
If you’re going to do track days then definitely spec the Performance Pack although a standard Clubsport can hold its own pretty well.

Right, I really am going to shut up now and let actual buyers discuss.

Thanks! Appreciate the insight, yes agree on the resale elements. It was the same on all my previous Renaultsports. I always spec’d the cup chassis and this was hugely desirable at trade in. I might see if my dealer will do a bit of a trade on the tyres, not hopeful but if you don’t ask you don’t get!

And yes, I’ve now watched the Volkzwizard video. I must admit to making a little ooooh noise when the alcantara steering wheel came up, must defo be getting old!

Will keeping thinking but heading more towards speccing the PP.

[AndyGTI]

I was contemplating specs and what might appear on configurator and then I had a horrible thought…Has it crossed anyone’s mind that VW UK might have another “TCR moment” and decide UK need a standard spec ED50 with PP included (as they did with TCR and Akra exhaust).

I think they will probably want a wide base so they sell as many as possible, so am thinking they wont do it, but it was just a thought.

I’m just wondering what budget will do for 1st year registration and then the subsequent years with hefty yearly charges. They certainly wont be reducing or keeping the same.I appreciate others can see passed this point.

@Exonian funny you mentiioned Leccy Golf as i have given up on seeing any time soon. Latest informed sources say it’s moved from 2028 to 2029  and now down for 2030.
Its going to be long enough for ID Polo GTI to appear in late 2026 but like idea of clubsport version of that excites me.

Final point those that watched Volkswizard. do you think he was a little harsh on it? he mentioned he was trying to get VW invite and then IMHO stated a string of points that I could imagine PR and Marketing team concluding …”maybe he’s not who we want on the trip”. Or was it just me?

[Exonian]

Dependant on interior space and other specifications the ID.2/Polo GTI would be of interest me, as would a Cupra Raval as they’d probably suit my needs pretty well. If they’re anywhere near as attractive as an A290 they would tempt me.
300+ BHP is probably very excessive for the roads I mostly use, but keen handling and sharp engine response are essentials for me.

The TCR got the Akra on the 2020(?) model year change but still required the Reifnitz or Pretoria/Cup2 packs to be optioned if you didn’t want the Fuchs 18’s (although DCC was still a stand alone option but lacked the lower and stiffer springs of the optional wheel packs).
I think it unlikely that VW UK would add the Akra as standard on the Ed50, and it’ll be interesting to see if we even get DCC as standard.
I reckon the Performance Pack with all the handling upgrades plus Akra will potentially actually look decent value compared to just adding the Akra to a regular Clubby or R. But never say never.

I’ll have to watch the Volkswizard vid again, but Andrew doesn’t normally hold back too much on his opinions which gives him credibility to enthusiasts even if we don’t always 100% agree with him. With a car like the Ed50 you’d hope that VW would want that credibility angle bearing in mind the enthusiast base, as opposed to a launch of something like the new T-Roc with its mass market target. Vacuous influencers will be called in no doubt for both launches, but where the T-Roc just needs a glossy image the Ed50 is somewhat more focussed and its target market more switched on.

[Hertsman]

Yes, my apologies, most of the rubbish that comes out of my keyboard is an acquired taste at the very least and I was zipping about a bit so probably should have gone in heavier with the emojis.
This forum is a bit like a friendly country pub rather than some more formal nerdy message boards so you’ll have to excuse an occasional village idiot like myself passing through.

Personal opinion, the Performance pack would be sought after on second hand models so its value would be reasonably well maintained long term. I sincerely doubt you’d notice any significant differences on the road other than crashiness over potholes on a road car (similar to a GTI TCR) as far as sharpness goes because the Clubsport handles really well anyway. But the nerd points alone would be a huge draw for the Perf Pack.
Personally I wouldn’t spec it but I’d recommend anyone even considering it to go for it owing to its second hand market desirability and maybe if it was actually really good you’d kick yourself for not speccing it. A bit of a leap of faith required but I’d trust VW engineers.
On previous VW models where bucket seats were offered as options these cars fetched better money and were always a talking point so I’d expect the Performance Pack to be much played by VW’s advertising and influencers which will lift the image and therefore desirability so probably well worth ticking that box in the absence of bucket seats. Same goes for the fluffy steering wheel option.

Tyres, Andrew Chapple of volkwizard, states the Bridgestones are way better in the damp than the Cup 2’s VW previously used, so potentially useable in the UK as summer tyres. Then get a second set for winter use fitted with Michelin all season tyres. Some Estoril replicas for £600 and Michelins for another £600 could be a wise buy for winter salt and potholes etc thus preserving the expensive Warmenau wheels for use during the daylight months.
If you’re going to do track days then definitely spec the Performance Pack although a standard Clubsport can hold its own pretty well.

Right, I really am going to shut up now and let actual buyers discuss.

Like the pub analogy, as this forum has always had the car chat over a pint appeal, opposed to some of the forums where lines are drawn and it can all get a little unsavoury and long may this forum continue in that manner,

Still running our 2019 R but not much to say about it these days thats not already been said other than its still a very satisfying car to own and drive.

My 128Ti  goes back on 12th December, and should be handed the Cupra Terramar 272 PS VZ1 PHEV, which is something completely left field for me as exclusively driven mild/hot hatches my entire lifetime, so it will be interesting to see how get on with the SUV feel and how handles (as it is touted to have some performance abilities even if not to levels used to) and my first dip into the world of electric. Get a £500 EV credit, so should see my running costs drop from the £160 put in most months.

We think we run the 2019 R for another 3 years and then swap it in for a 2-3 year old Clubsport or R .

Would really like the ED50 in either the red or green, but think I would want Akrapovic/performance pack to do it justice as something bit special,

I was one of those who benefited from the adding of the Akra on my TCR as standard, probably the only time ever got something free on a car, and likely again!

[SRGTD]

Like the pub analogy, as this forum has always had the car chat over a pint appeal, opposed to some of the forums where lines are drawn and it can all get a little unsavoury and long may this forum continue in that manner,

Wholeheartedly agree, and that’s a big part of the appeal of this forum for me - that’s why I still pop in regularly and I’ve not owned a Golf since 2016!

I think the forum strapline sums it up nicely - for anyone who’s not familiar with it, scroll down to the very bottom right corner of the web page………..

[Bullfinch]

On specs I assume there will be an option for leather seats and also for the exterior I'm not fan of all black wheels so would like a good silver or silver/black choice. My 7.5 GTi PP is specced with leather, Dynaudio sound and 19" Brescias. I've specced a 8.5 Clubsport with all my options on VW configurator and that has a list price of £52k.