Whatever you may think of Volkswagen, they are good at being consistent, Opels Kadett changed in to Astra. But with VW it has been Golf for over 40 years.
You'd expect the GTI 7 to be more of the same but that isn't so. It's lighter , more agile and more fun to play with!
One of the reasons why I was quite pleased with it, when I first drove the car. But there are more options.
Such as this five door Focus ST with 250 hp, you can use it on a daily basis but it still is sporty.
The Focus ST ... I can remember you weren't all that pleased with it.
Well, I've tested it against Opels OPC on the circuit. And it's a bit well ... unsophisticated. If you are expecting a sharp and precise car, look elsewhere. This is a raw brute.
How come? The underpinnings feel really hard and up to the job. True, and the engine is super.
Ford has made giant steps where engines are concerned. It's actually better than the GTI's powerplant. And it sounds great!
The chassis is hard but the driver sits too far from the asphalt. And the most remarkable thing: the razorsharp Renault Megane is more comfortable!
The ST feels a bit out of balance and the front wheels can't handle all that power. You can even generate wheelspin in 3rd gear.
The car differs from the Focus RS. That could be a handful as well but if you drive this car fast in the wet, the rear travels in all kinds of directions.
That's just like the first generation Golf GTI!
During the introduction of the Polo GTI, Volkswagens PR persons were already on about the 7th generation Golf GTI.
Correct and it's a very well balanced car. But let's put it to the test. The GTI is parked just here.
It sounds just a bit sporty but there's no growling like the ST.
It wakes up earlier, with this car it's game on from a mere 1.500 rpm.
But in higher rev ranges the eagerness quickly disappears.
It's more comfortable, but actually this car could have been a bit harder, suspension wise. It's not a 1.6 TDI ...
Among other things the performance pack gives you 230 instead of 220 hp and larger brakes. You can really notice this when stopping hard.
I can understand people choose an automatic DSG. But with the performance pack, it just doen't match.
And the differential functions like Porsches torque vectoring, the wheel on the outside can handle more force than the inner wheel.
It's great! It's easier to drive really fast than the ST.
Still, when you suddenly loosen the throttle, you feel the rear travelling forward. This car is fun. It wants to play!
It will oversteer when you want it to, but it also is more relaxed. You choose when it's playtime.
You are in car that is sporty yet comfortable. We are not being bounced around as we would be in the Ford.
It has dynamic chassis control: adaptive damping.
It's the first time in a VW you can actually feel the difference between normal and sport. You can also feel it in the steering.
It's an allrounder which offers all the fun you may expect of such a car. And it's less tiring than the ST.
I just got out of the Megane RS and ...
... I expected to be disappointed. But that did'nt happen. The steering is really good.
I was really amazed. Wow!
It could have been a bit more frivolous ...
At least the wheels are nice. But on the whole it's raher dull, even when compared to the Golf 6.
But it's a great allrounder which is now lighter and more fun.
I can't help it ... I still think Renault's Megane RS is the best choice.