The GTX is great car i have to admit, has all the bells and whistles as standard and can be run for approx 30/40 euro per month charging at home and work which is subsidized. 0/60 practically same as Edition 50 but the Edition 50 is just a bit special I think esp in a world where all cars are just the same, individuality is gone, but the limited numbers on the edition 50 do make it that bit unique esp here in Ireland, not too many have been sold esp with the premium we have to pay even compared to UK units.
There are about a zillion identikit SUV’s on the market now and hardly any ‘traditional’ hatches left. The Golf stands out now instead of blending into the crowd like it once did.
The APP550(?) motor in the GTX is an impressive bit of kit and I’d imagine it absolutely blasts out of corners.
Hopefully VW reintroduce it on the Neo and don’t decide to market the RWD EV as a GTI as that’s sacrilege!
I’m thinking of changing sometime next year so at the moment I’m really just beginning to weigh up options (I like to do my research 
). I’d be looking at something in the B segment and I dare say in the next 6-12 months there’ll be other new B segment EV’s models to consider by the time I’m ready to make the change.
If I were to change now, I’d be looking at a Renault R5. I know, piece of French rubbish with dodgy electrics and all that, but IMHO Renault’s reputation of building cars with dodgy electrics is a thing of the past when the Government had a larger stake in the company than they do now and could influence who Renault sourced their parts from. I’ve looked at an R5 and sat in one, although not driven one. It felt very well screwed together and equally as well built - if not better - than the VW’s I’ve owned; tight, even panel gaps (more than could be said for most of my VW’s) and doors that shut with a nice solid sounding noise. I would need to drive one to see if it’d be a serious contender nearer the time. It might be dismissed in the same way that you dismissed the EV you thought you’d end up buying.
Whoever the manufacturer, I’m not certain I’d keep any EV outside the warranty period though. I also don’t think I’d buy a new one outright (it’d be either PCP or lease).
I had a quick chat with a chap trying unsuccessfully to get my local free charger to work on his R5. He was very impressed with it, he was an older guy and had owned quite a few different cars over the years rather than a youngster with a salary sacrifice lease car.
The A290 was an EV that (in my head at least) I would have liked to own but having spoken briefly to a couple of people that have had one they were unimpressed with the torque steer (which is an occasional problem with the Mini too). However the main problem for me would be the nearest main dealer is nearly two hours away and that would be a huge issue if anything went wrong with it.
The Raval impressed on so many levels and has a five year warranty but… matte paint! Maybe a PPF wrap would help with that but it’s a significant extra cost.
e208GTI and Corsa GSE could be interesting propositions, and these cars all cost similar money.
And next year the ID. Polo GTI might pull at the heartstrings… (might feel a bit underpowered though)
To be honest, in modern traffic and with cameras everywhere a Renault 5 would provide more than adequate performance, handling and ride quality, plus is one of those cars that you walk up to and smile. And that last thing is rare nowadays with the choices available.
Right, enough EV talk on a Golf forum, and going back to davo’s post:
I’ve been out and filled the car with £85 of super (ouch! I’m used to £9 a week of electric!) and taken it for a gentle drive on the tourist clogged roads of South Devon.
The engine and gearbox feel identical to the R’s. The engine mapping in particular is very keen to ‘up and at em’ just like the 8.5 R (which was more peppy than the 8R). It’s very different to the 7R and Ed40 which needed a PedalBox to add some life to the throttle at lower speeds.
The non Perf Pack suspension feels fine so far. The brakes are still bedding in. The car definitely feels a little lighter on its toes than an R.
I’d be the last person to offer advice on which is preferable as each car, be it R, Clubsport or Ed50, will have a different appeal yet all feel similar to a lesser or greater degree.
It’s still a bit odd lifting the garage door and instead of being greeted by a white car bonnet (after so many years of them), I see what looks like the black shadow of a Golf in the gloom. Almost like in a science fiction/horror movie!
Today was the first time I’ve had an unhurried look around the car out in the fresh air and I’m coming to terms with running a black car again. The red side decals and red wheels certainly give the car an identity, and the wheels are quite striking in person as one approaches the car. Whether or not that’s good is open to debate! It’s growing on me.
