First test drive of 2014 Volkswagen GTI

[JoeBoxer]

Local GTI would blow me away even with my tune and headerback exhaust in a straight line. The DSG trans and torque of the 2.0T was impressive.

[SVTSHC]

Picnic table interior aside this thing seems like it'll be a blast

[M-17]

I actually like it. The first time I saw the plaid interior I didn't care for it, but it grew on me and now I think the plaid gives the GTI more character to separate its self from the rest of the competition.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I traded in an MKVI (2011) GTI for my BRZ, and although the MKVII looks to improve on almost everything (Mexico assembly does concern me though), they are just so different. I could never get over the fact that I was still driving a tarted up Golf. The twins have their own platform, and it makes the driving experience so unique.

Very glad that I made the trade.

It seems the new GTI (when equipped with the new LSD) is playing in a different league than the MKVI - it's not an incremental change, the understeer and torque steer are gone. Of course it's required a trick differential and electronics to make this happen - remains to be seen how that feels compared to the twins. But if they get it very close there will be a LOT of people willing to give up that last 5% of handling for the far greater utility and refinement that the GTI offers - the engine alone sounds much better judging from the videos I have seen, and the interior is just in a different universe.

[DarkSunrise]

I really like my current GTI (mk6) and have been keeping an eye on the mk7's. Might trade in my GTI for a new one in a few years if practical.

The thing I'm excited about is that VW seems to have addressed the issues with the mk6. My complaints about the mk6 are:

(1) lacking LSD -- inside wheelspin and power understeer;
(2) heavy -- 3213 lbs in 4dr DSG;
(3) high CG -- can really feel the car pitch and roll in hard corners;
(4) muted steering feel; and
(5) minor quality issues -- creaky door seals, leaking rear wiper spray, rattles, etc.

It sounds like the new mk7 fixes 1-3, and possibly 4. Not bad, it's like VW actually listened to the owners.

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I traded in an MKVI (2011) GTI for my BRZ, and although the MKVII looks to improve on almost everything (Mexico assembly does concern me though), they are just so different. I could never get over the fact that I was still driving a tarted up Golf. The twins have their own platform, and it makes the driving experience so unique.

Very glad that I made the trade.

Yep, I agree with this too. The mk7 will certainly improve on the mk6, but the FR-S is a different driving experience entirely. That's the benefit of not being forced to start from a Golf/econobox platform.

[chulooz]

LOLZ, omg fwd sukz

[Trashed675]

There is a reason why Clarkson named the GTI his car of the year back in 06(?), whenever they switched from 1.8t to 2.0t. A used 3 door GTI is what my gf is getting when her old acura legend finally dies. Its always seemed like the perfect blend between practicality and playfulness.

[Bristecom]

That's interesting. So I'm guessing it's a mechanical (clutch) based front differential with electronic controls like the WRC used to use before 2006 when they banned them. A mechanical diff is generally not good for the front as it can interfere with the steering unless perfectly tuned for the conditions. But with electronic controls, it won't have those issues. I'd still rather see it available in AWD though. I'm still waiting for a production car with active mechanical diffs all around like the old WRC cars had. :P

But anyway, the interior actually looks pretty nice aside from those plaid seats.

Now, this is super cool: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2015-...#photo-5841667

I had designed a car (for fun) back in the day with a tunable interface just like that.

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

But anyway, the interior actually looks pretty nice aside from those plaid seats.

You can option up to leather apparently, at least in Europe. I hated the plaid too but am sort of getting used to it now - it's a new plaid, and a less objectionable than the old pattern..

At least they got rid of these gag-inducing wheels that were standard in NA on the MKVI:

[reeves]

They always seem to come up with the most unattractive rim designs.. must be a European thing. The GTI has never been on my list of potential cars to buy, and I don't think it'll ever be. To each his own, but I could never get used to the overall shape/look of the car.

[n2oinferno]

I loved the Hufeisen wheels. Opted for them on my MKV.

[DarkSunrise]

I'm ok with the Huf/Detroit style wheels. They're not my favorite, but they're not bad. My fiancee loves them though, along with the plaid seating.

[Sport-Tech]

Wish it was a little lower like the Scirocco, at 56.8" it's about 6" taller than the twins. Looks from the photos to have a nice low hip point for the driver at least so maybe it won't feel like the Focus from the inside.

I just noticed something - compare the side profiles of the MKVI and MKVII below - notice the far worse front overhang on the latter? The rounded-off edges of the 6 look better too.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

There are so many great cars out now. If the FRS and BRZ didn't exist, I'd really have a hard time choosing.

If the twins didn't exist I would have had to spend about twice the money to get a sports car that drove AND looked like a sports car that I would have been happy with.