GTI Edition 50 first press release

[JoeGTI]

^^^ Interesting.  As pointed out by volkswizard, no-one seems to have been allowed to test drive one yet, which is very strange.  Hopefully this changed yesterday and we get some youtube videos giving us some "real world" driving reviews.

This guy definitely drove it. And Volkswizard didn’t get an invite it seems. There’s an embargo on reviews going live until Friday week.

[TurboTrev]

^^^ Interesting.  As pointed out by volkswizard, no-one seems to have been allowed to test drive one yet, which is very strange.  Hopefully this changed yesterday and we get some youtube videos giving us some "real world" driving reviews.

This guy definitely drove it. And Volkswizard didn’t get an invite it seems. There’s an embargo on reviews going live until Friday week.

Thanks for the update.  I wonder why VW are being so secretive about test drive reviews?

[JoeGTI]

^^^ Interesting.  As pointed out by volkswizard, no-one seems to have been allowed to test drive one yet, which is very strange.  Hopefully this changed yesterday and we get some youtube videos giving us some "real world" driving reviews.

This guy definitely drove it. And Volkswizard didn’t get an invite it seems. There’s an embargo on reviews going live until Friday week.

Thanks for the update.  I wonder why VW are being so secretive about test drive reviews?

Ah I suppose it is just all about building hype and anticipation.

Realistically, for many on here including myself who are already intimately familiar with the MK8 or particularly the 8.5, is it going to feel significantly different behind the wheel to those cars? My guess is absolutely not, unless you spec the PP and you're driving it at 9 tenths on the Nurburgring.

Certainly, I wouldn't expect the average Youtuber's 15 minute experience behind the wheel of one to tell me anything I don't already know myself. I'd definitely value Volkswizard's insight though, as at least he is very very familiar with what has gone before and I trust him to give an objective honest appraisal. Just a pity he doesn't seem to get invites to these launches.

[TurboTrev]

^^^ Interesting.  As pointed out by volkswizard, no-one seems to have been allowed to test drive one yet, which is very strange.  Hopefully this changed yesterday and we get some youtube videos giving us some "real world" driving reviews.

This guy definitely drove it. And Volkswizard didn’t get an invite it seems. There’s an embargo on reviews going live until Friday week.

Thanks for the update.  I wonder why VW are being so secretive about test drive reviews?

Ah I suppose it is just all about building hype and anticipation.

Realistically, for many on here including myself who are already intimately familiar with the MK8 or particularly the 8.5, is it going to feel significantly different behind the wheel to those cars? My guess is absolutely not, unless you spec the PP and you're driving it at 9 tenths on the Nurburgring.

Certainly, I wouldn't expect the average Youtuber's 15 minute experience behind the wheel of one to tell me anything I don't already know myself. I'd definitely value Volkswizard's insight though, as at least he is very very familiar with what has gone before and I trust him to give an objective honest appraisal. Just a pity he doesn't seem to get invites to these launches.

Yes I know what you mean, I've got an 8.5R myself.  I'm curious about the ride quality etc. of an Ed50 spec'd with the PP.  Guess we will find out eventually.

[Exonian]

Nice moody shots from Nobby there.
He’s one of few car reviewers I’ll watcb and he’s a big GTI fan so his views will be interesting and pretty relevant.
Volkswizard seems to fall foul of the VW press people despite videos, particularly the 8.5 launch vids, being probably some of the most comprehensive reviews out there which will have swayed a lot of potential buyers to actually part with their cash who would have skipped the pre-facelift. However some of his personal but published views probably irk VW UK.

It’s normal for news blackouts ahead of the official launch of key models hence the lack of reviews which will hit the press and YouTube in one big lump. It seems to be all about the Fabia 130 at the moment (which is a very good looking car IMO) so all very stage managed.

Stating the obvious here I know but a lot of these press guys will have driven a Clubsport and an R maybe 12-18 months ago, positively reviewed it and then driven dozens of other cars in the interim, that’s their job after all. They’ll be flown in, put through the usual launch nonsense, handed some tech and spec sheets and then let loose. I wonder how many will actually be able to tell through seat of the pants how different this car is to the Clubsport other than them noticing the red seat belts. They’ll only realistically be able to say whether they think it’s a good standalone model, baulk at the cost and harp on about future desirability. Most of us on here could do that from our armchairs!

[JoeGTI]

I wonder how many will actually be able to tell through seat of the pants how different this car is to the Clubsport other than them noticing the red seat belts. They’ll only realistically be able to say whether they think it’s a good standalone model, baulk at the cost and harp on about future desirability. Most of us on here could do that from our armchairs!

Exactly my thoughts Andy!

I like Nobby too, it is good to have him and 1-2 other decent lads on the Irish car review scene these days, as we were sorely lacking in that department over here until very recent years.

[Paul70]

I wonder how many will actually be able to tell through seat of the pants how different this car is to the Clubsport other than them noticing the red seat belts. They’ll only realistically be able to say whether they think it’s a good standalone model, baulk at the cost and harp on about future desirability. Most of us on here could do that from our armchairs!

Exactly my thoughts Andy!

I agree for the non Performance Pack car but with the added negative camber and chassis mods there will be a difference in how the Performance Pack drives even at reasonable speed. You can easily tell the difference between an ED40 and a Clubsport S driving down a B road at or around the speed limit, and the ED50 is a good five seconds quicker round to Nurburgring.

[Exonian]

@Paul70, hopefully the journos get chance to drive the two different variants of chassis on the launch days so can report first hand back to back.
If the last Clubsport they drove was back in 2024 and they’ve tested mostly SUV’s since I really doubt their recollection of the Clubsport suspension will be that fresh.