RR how do you rate the Carbonio ??
....The Carbonio is good if you want to keep your engine cover panel filter box, as I did while I was in VW warranty. And it's cool eye-candy but it's relatively quiet and doesn't deliver as much bhp/torque gains as a filter-on-a-stick type.
The new Carbonio/APR for the latest GTI engine looks very promising because it has the filter properly enclosed and in the best ram position.
The problem with filters on sticks is that no-one, including the BSH (as far as limited pics show) have really sealed the filter from the engine heat. There are walled forms which the bonnet roofs over but you can see they aren't air-tight enough.
The GruppeM is probably one of the most efficient but it's mega expensive.
I know of two new air intakes being developed at the moment but I'd have to shoot you afterwards if I told you who the two manufacturers are. So, I'm hanging on to see what comes out.
Air intakes in themselves don't represent big returns for their cost but you have to consider what they contribute within the whole package of performance mods rather than in isolation. Many people unfortunately limit their thinking to how much can they get for their money in isolation.