Topic: First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen GTI (Mk 7)

[Autos_Editor]

Just like going to the movies, sometimes the best part of a full-line press drive is the coming attractions.

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[quadzilla]

The seats are fantastic and – wait, hold on a second. It’s entirely possible that the car we end up getting won’t be quite this nice, so let’s reserve any further praise until we see what our version actually looks like in base trim with the plaid cloth seats. VW could still pull a fast one with their fast one and swath the entire thing in ill-fitting hard plastic. I will be royally annoyed if they do so, because this European version makes that A3 I drove a few months back look low rent.

And, it has to be said, we might not get this powertrain either, not entirely. The test car I drove made a healthy, though not earth-rending 217 hp, but odds are the one we get will have no more than 210. Why? Partly because of our lower-octane fuel, partly because there’s always some cheapskate who’ll ignore the manual and reach for the 87 octane, and thus VW always leaves plenty of power on the table. Not that this conservatism is a bad thing – just ask anyone who’s “chipped” their 2.0L turbo.

Great car but might not be what we get. I'll just wait to see the real Cdn version when it shows up. Isn't ours going to be built in Mexico now?

I'm most interested in the new Golf R.

[Weels]

Goddamn I love this car.  I think I may have mentioned that here before ...

At the VW event last month in the Centre of the Universe, they had a Mk7 GTI and a Golf diesel. 
In the GTI, get in, adjust the seat and centre armrest, thereyago.. perfect seating postition.  Everything just feels perfect.  To say this car speaks to me is a massive understatement.
The GTI was fun on the short handling course they had... take that car, drop 200 lbs, more power, better handling... awesome interior... is it legal to marry a car?? 
Toughest choice with this car would be 3 pedals or DSG.

I also spent a while in the cabin of the Golf.. assume it was the top line model.. the interior was shockingly nice.  As nice or nicer than any Audi i've sat in. 

[jamesautos]

Fwd... Want only if the cdn version comes with a real limited diff....unlike the electronic one found in the focus st that heat soak your brakes in the twistiest...

[tpl]

A shame there is no available cheap sensor that could detect 87 octane gas and turn the engine off.   I am sure APR and their peers have been working on the "chip" already.

[Weels]

A shame there is no available cheap sensor that could detect 87 octane gas and turn the engine off.    I am sure APR and their peers have been working on the "chip" already.

Along with a device that would come out of the dash somewhere and cuff you in the head

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Fwd... Want only if the cdn version comes with a real limited diff....unlike the electronic one found in the focus st that heat soak your brakes in the twistiest...

Easy fix for those that need it:

http://www.quaifeamerica.com/qdf41z

[nlm]

Nice to see VW won't be watering down the good formula that they have.

"...what a joy it is that we live in a time where we have three legitimate hot hatches... "

Um, only three? Doesn't the WRX fit into this crowd?

[hemusbull]

A shame there is no available cheap sensor that could detect 87 octane gas and turn the engine off.   I am sure APR and their peers have been working on the "chip" already.

87 isn't the bright side of VW here in North America. In Europe is easy - it simply doesn't exist on gas stations...Something more, VW doesn't have here decent people's engine with regular gas. Shame for the international manufacturer with ambition to be world's #1 in 2018!

[JohnM]

I'm very happy to see VW has cut 100kg out of this car.   The much higher weights, falling fuel efficiency and reliability were the reasons I moved away from the Golf/Rabbit.

I'd like to see another 150kg - 200kg lost but we'll have to wait 4 years.  In any case, it looks as though the Golf platform has been virtually perfected - a really enjoyable ride and a great package.

I can already feel the joy from owners-to-be.

Cheers,
John M.

[Julie]

Great car but might not be what we get. I'll just wait to see the real Cdn version when it shows up. Isn't ours going to be built in Mexico now?

That's what I read.

Goddamn I love this car.  I think I may have mentioned that here before ...

At the VW event last month in the Centre of the Universe, they had a Mk7 GTI and a Golf diesel. 
In the GTI, get in, adjust the seat and centre armrest, thereyago.. perfect seating postition.  Everything just feels perfect.  To say this car speaks to me is a massive understatement.
The GTI was fun on the short handling course they had... take that car, drop 200 lbs, more power, better handling... awesome interior... is it legal to marry a car?? 
Toughest choice with this car would be 3 pedals or DSG.

I also spent a while in the cabin of the Golf.. assume it was the top line model.. the interior was shockingly nice.  As nice or nicer than any Audi i've sat in. 

I already digged the Mk6 GTI, and this one looks even better.

I agree the new interiors look standout.

[tazcubed]

I'm most interested in the new Golf R.

I'm with you on that one! I'd love to get my hands on the Golf R, but hopefully the price won't be eye-watering.

[Brendan McAleer]

Um, only three? Doesn't the WRX fit into this crowd?

Good point!

The Golf R looks good with the improved power. I'm curious to see what they do for transmissions when we get it - I didn't really have a problem with the pricing of the old one, but the car demanded tuning right off the bat to overcome the laggy 1st gear.

[bombastic]

Very nice car. A little pricey but well worth the money.

[dirtyjeffer]

Very nice car. A little pricey but well worth the money.

that's why they are going to be making our GTis in Mexico...the nicely optioned GTi is $45k in Europe...as good as it is, it would collect dust on a dealer lots here at that price...building them in Mexico is cheaper AND qualifies for NAFTA (duty free), so those two factors alone likely allow a reduction in about $6k in pricing.

[quadzilla]

Very nice car. A little pricey but well worth the money.

that's why they are going to be making our GTis in Mexico...the nicely optioned GTi is $45k in Europe...as good as it is, it would collect dust on a dealer lots here at that price...building them in Mexico is cheaper AND qualifies for NAFTA (duty free), so those two factors alone likely allow a reduction in about $6k in pricing.

Do you really think VW will reduce the price on the GTi if its as good or better than the current model?

[tpl]

Very nice car. A little pricey but well worth the money.

that's why they are going to be making our GTis in Mexico...the nicely optioned GTi is $45k in Europe...as good as it is, it would collect dust on a dealer lots here at that price...building them in Mexico is cheaper AND qualifies for NAFTA (duty free), so those two factors alone likely allow a reduction in about $6k in pricing.

Do you really think VW will reduce the price on the GTi if its as good or better than the current model?

That is 6K vs the European price  maybe...although european car prices are often quoted including tax as somewhere between 15 and 22% depending on country.

[HeliDriver]

And I can't help myself, I have to say it... it's a GTI, not a GTi. Always has been and probably always will be.

Every time I see a certain poster write "blah, blah, blah my GTi...", I think to myself, "oh, I didn't know you drove a Peugeot." 

[quadzilla]

And I can't help myself, I have to say it... it's a GTI, not a GTi. Always has been and probably always will be.

Everytime I see a certain poster write "blah, blah, blah my GTi...", I think to myself, "oh, I didn't know you drove a Peugeot." 

I'm sitting right here and can hear you.    Fine, I'll try to keep my caps lock key held down longer next time.

[HeliDriver]

And I can't help myself, I have to say it... it's a GTI, not a GTi. Always has been and probably always will be.

Everytime I see a certain poster write "blah, blah, blah my GTi...", I think to myself, "oh, I didn't know you drove a Peugeot." 

I'm sitting right here and can hear you.    Fine, I'll try to keep my caps lock key held down longer next time.

Thank-you, kind sir.