Topic: 2019 Golf R 6MT - Confirming Suspicions

[Jaeger]

Love the new GTI, except for the whole no buttons in the interior thing. Plaid seats rock.

[quadzilla]

- The car continues to be endlessly versatile, from my 150 km daily commute (when I was doing it!), to light-speed back-road blasts, to carrying my 8-month pregnant wife comfortably to-and-fro

Can't remember if this was said before but if not, congrats! Also, great update on the R. Now bring us that damn R wagon.

[HeliDriver]

Thanks for the update. 7 months and almost time for a new one?  Think I'll do an update of my own shortly... 

Love the pics, and also the dark grey: really suits the car IMO. Having said that, I just saw an R today in one of those shades of nuclear lime green that were a $$$ option. Not sure I could live with it for a decade, but it did look really sharp. Got me thinking that maybe splurging on one of those fancy colours might actually be worth it.

[Railton]

St. George’s Anglican Church in Jackson's Point - erected in 1877.
Railton

[OliverD]

Thanks for the update. 7 months and almost time for a new one?  Think I'll do an update of my own shortly... 

He's had two different ones in seven months.

Looks like I could be in the minority here but I can't stand this car in grey. Red or blue (or one of the Spektrum colours) for me please.

Also Patrick, please ensure that the next R at least comes with the option for a sunroof so I can actually buy/lease one. 

[Patrick_D1]

Great update!

If the next GTi comes with everything my GLi has, at a similiar price, (including adjustable suspension et all) then its likely to be the replacement for my wife's Elantra GT.

Will do our best on that front, but from a pricing perspective it's very hard indeed to match the GLI. It will be all the more so with the next-gen GTI, since production is being repatriated to Wolfsburg. Have to ensure incremental logistics and duty costs can be covered.

That said, of everything I've seen regarding the new GTI, I expect it to be exceptional.

St. George’s Anglican Church in Jackson's Point - erected in 1877.
Railton

Incredible piece of history and beautiful architecture.

Also Patrick, please ensure that the next R at least comes with the option for a sunroof so I can actually buy/lease one. 

I'm sure if someone involved in such decisions was listening, they'd agree this is a good point. 


In terms of my feedback, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention some of the car's annoyances - which have thankfully been quite minor.

- The Soundaktor (vibrates the windshield vs. pumping in audio via speakers like other OEMs) is irritating and boomy. It also occasionally causes resonance in the plastics; I shut it off
- Stock, the clutch pedal travel is way too long, esp. since it grabs at the top of the pedal. Within two weeks I installed a home-made clutch stop which dramatically improved the experience by reducing travel
- Older Golf Rs also had an assist spring in the clutch which caused uneven feel; I went looking for it to remove it and learned the factory did this themselves as of 2019MY
- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance
- Beyond lacking a sunroof, the platform is showing its age in other lacking features - heated steering wheel being the one I notice most
- There's no getting around the fact that the car is quite small. This is a pro in certain regards, but there isn't a ton of rear seat legroom and the hatch cargo area is smaller than some rivals

[Jaeger]

Thanks for the update. 7 months and almost time for a new one?  Think I'll do an update of my own shortly... 

He's had two different ones in seven months.

Looks like I could be in the minority here but I can't stand this car in grey. Red or blue (or one of the Spektrum colours) for me please.

Also Patrick, please ensure that the next R at least comes with the option for a sunroof so I can actually buy/lease one. 

I don't know if you're in the minority or not, but I think it looks sharp and classy in grey and boring as hell in white.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal. 

[OliverD]

Thanks for the update. 7 months and almost time for a new one?  Think I'll do an update of my own shortly... 

He's had two different ones in seven months.

Looks like I could be in the minority here but I can't stand this car in grey. Red or blue (or one of the Spektrum colours) for me please.

Also Patrick, please ensure that the next R at least comes with the option for a sunroof so I can actually buy/lease one. 

I don't know if you're in the minority or not, but I think it looks sharp and classy in grey and boring as hell in white.

I think it's boring in both. 🤷‍♂️

But I hate grey cars. Owning two grey cars at once was a low point in my automotive past. 😂

[Patrick_D1]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

[Great_Big_Abyss]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

I was actually gonna bring up the Veloster N as an example - but again, that's all exhaust.  Same goes for the Focus RS.  After having driven many great NA engines, I can say that Induction Noise under hard acceleration sounds way better, because you can usually hear it inside the cab of the car.  Induction noise is for the people inside the car, exhaust noise is for those outside the car. 

I guess VW is just trying to be more grown-up and civilized? 

[Jaeger]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

I was actually gonna bring up the Veloster N as an example - but again, that's all exhaust.  Same goes for the Focus RS.  After having driven many great NA engines, I can say that Induction Noise under hard acceleration sounds way better, because you can usually hear it inside the cab of the car.  Induction noise is for the people inside the car, exhaust noise is for those outside the car. 

I guess VW is just trying to be more grown-up and civilized?

I'm pretty damned sure you can hear the exhaust note on a Veloster N inside the car.

[Blueprint]

Back in 2017 I had my pick of the GTI or the R for a weekly test. Having driven neither, but being very familiar with the MkVII Golf due to owning one at the time, I decided to go with the classic GTI. No regrets but next time I'll look at the R 

The tester had the DSG, sunroof and plaid seats. I'd rock a black one in same config (if you read the review, you'll see what I did there).

My A3 is basically an uptown Golf, but I miss my old TDI's classy interior - loved the silver bits over the black.

https://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170531/test-drive-2017-volkswagen-golf-gti-autobahn/





https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=93960.0

[Triple Bob]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

I was actually gonna bring up the Veloster N as an example - but again, that's all exhaust.  Same goes for the Focus RS.  After having driven many great NA engines, I can say that Induction Noise under hard acceleration sounds way better, because you can usually hear it inside the cab of the car.  Induction noise is for the people inside the car, exhaust noise is for those outside the car. 

Apart from the C63, where the exhaust noise was for those inside the car and also within 2km.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

I was actually gonna bring up the Veloster N as an example - but again, that's all exhaust.  Same goes for the Focus RS.  After having driven many great NA engines, I can say that Induction Noise under hard acceleration sounds way better, because you can usually hear it inside the cab of the car.  Induction noise is for the people inside the car, exhaust noise is for those outside the car. 

Apart from the C63, where the exhaust noise was for those inside the car and also within 2km.

LOL, yeah.  The C63 is one of the best sounding cars of all time, though.  A few have driven by me, and either the car is loud while being gently driven, or the driver was no wimp!  I'm thinking a combination of both. 

[Triple Bob]

- The EA888 remains one of the smoothest and most refined 4-bangers on the market, but I sure wish it had some sound to go with the performance

It's hard to get a turbo engine to sound good - you're relying mostly on exhaust noise, and there is almost zero induction noise whatsoever. 

It's partly why I love good NA motors (Honda, I'm looking at you) so much, they can sound phenomenal.

Completely agree, I'm talking about having a bit of exhaust noise. Likely biased in this area coming from Hyundai, where they have really mastered this subject as of late (see: Elantra Sport, Veloster N).

I was actually gonna bring up the Veloster N as an example - but again, that's all exhaust.  Same goes for the Focus RS.  After having driven many great NA engines, I can say that Induction Noise under hard acceleration sounds way better, because you can usually hear it inside the cab of the car.  Induction noise is for the people inside the car, exhaust noise is for those outside the car. 

Apart from the C63, where the exhaust noise was for those inside the car and also within 2km.

LOL, yeah.  The C63 is one of the best sounding cars of all time, though.  A few have driven by me, and either the car is loud while being gently driven, or the driver was no wimp!  I'm thinking a combination of both.

Man did I love driving that thing to work, but at least the GTi won't get me banned from driving. 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I would like to see a Civic Type R motor in a current STI chassis, with the Focus torque vectoring, in the body of a Megane RS.

With the Golf's interior?

[Blueprint]

I would like to see a Civic Type R motor in a current STI chassis, with the Focus torque vectoring, in the body of a Megane RS.

Get the tools!

[rrocket]

I would like to see a Civic Type R motor in a current STI chassis, with the Focus torque vectoring, in the body of a Megane RS.

With the Golf's interior?

No...50th Anniversary 911 interior!

[Triple Bob]

I have driven a lot of performance oriented AWD cars and the Haldex in the Golf R is truly marginal.  It will understeer way, way to much.  You can also fool it easily and get it to FWD a bit too much in the snow.  For comparison, an STI has a vastly better AWD system for inclement whether with significantly better traction.  And you won't get a "AWD not Available" flashing code.

It does have a great motor, however.  A Focus RS out pulls it at any RPM but isn't as smooth.  The STI motor is a disaster.  No low end torque, huge lag and it dies at redline. 

I would like to see a Civic Type R motor in a current STI chassis, with the Focus torque vectoring, in the body of a Megane RS.