Is the GTI being left behind?

[Homer]

The new Focus ST is 265ps, S3 300ps and new type R going to be 300ps. The new GTI is 220... With an extra payment we can expect a whopping extra 10ps.. So why is it lagging behind and will its popularity decline as a result??

[rich83]

No. 

[sanj]

No. 

+2 

[benj1989]

I'd say yes. Vw need to give it the same as cupra r

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

[Bane]

Theres a crucial factor here...All wheel drive or a fandago diff.
Trying to put more than 200bhp through the front wheels is always tricky to pull off without some sort of major traction control system(GTI,Cupra..in fact,all hot hatches!),all wheel drive(S3,Type R?) or a fancy e-diff(Focus,Megane)
If VW are going to put a car into production with 300bhp,then it's going to be the range topper that has it...the R.
The GTI is the gentleman racer of the bunch and it's pretty much the essential all rounder.

[Chris92]

No not at all. Look at the mk5 and the other hot hatches of that generation most had more bhp focus st 222, Astra Vxr 240 ect the gti seems to have always been a tad behind the pack and there is plenty of mk5 gti's on the road. End of the day power isn't everything the mk2 focus st of the same gen as the mk5 gti may have more power but isn't really any faster nor handle as good.

All this bhp talk at the end of the day is just peak power figures, it's not the only thing to make a quick car

Gti isn't ment to be the mega performance car chasing bhp numbers.

[rich83]

I'd say yes. Vw need to give it the same as cupra r

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

Cupra R is the Top Spec Leon.... the GTI is not.

[edd666999]

what do each of those cars weigh??

[doylebros]

Theres a crucial factor here...All wheel drive or a fandago diff.
Trying to put more than 200bhp through the front wheels is always tricky to pull off without some sort of major traction control system(GTI,Cupra..in fact,all hot hatches!),all wheel drive(S3,Type R?) or a fancy e-diff(Focus,Megane)
If VW are going to put a car into production with 300bhp,then it's going to be the range topper that has it...the R.
The GTI is the gentleman racer of the bunch and it's pretty much the essential all rounder.

That one line says it all for me:-

The GTI is the gentleman racer of the bunch and it's pretty much the essential all rounder.

Including running costs!

[Wardy91-ed30]

Don't think it's been left behind. Could do with maybe a bit more power out the box, but it's not Asif these don't map well. Bet the lack of power doesn't stop it outselling its rivals once more

[northyracing]

I can see his point on the power figures but like a few have said its not all about the power I mean yeah it's great in the vxr but I had the choice of a vxr or the mk5 gti and you guessed it I chose the gti for the all round looks build quality and how she drives vxr don't even come close in my opinion

[robdf2]

You can't really compare the gti with the cars you have quoted , they are a step up from the gti , that's where the golf r competes.
The gti is competition for Leon FR , BMW 125i , guiletta , and in that group it's aimed at its ahead
By miles !

[berg]

all the reviews have said the mk 7 gti is darn good.

the gti doe snot need more power to outsell its rivals.. its rivals need the extra power to try and beat it as an all round package.

perhaps pikey motorsports can weigh in here with his views on ed30 v focus rs?

[xjay1337]

The only problem with the Mk7 GTI is the price.
It's nearly £30k by the time you add the Sat Nav and Performance Pack
Now would I spend than money yes - But I'm an enthusiast.

The average joe would take one look at the 135m and that is a sale lost for VW.

The Mk5 GTI was around £20k, So £10k less.

Ultimately it's always going to be the best "all rounder" providing a respectable, understaded car, that focuses more on using 100% of the power it comes with in a usable manner, than the yobby ilk in the Astra's and STs who are struggling to put their power down.

[Homer]

All very valid points, on the other hand to now say the GTIs comparators are not cars like the ST or new Type R does not seem right as these are the cars that have always been competing with the GTI.

In addition someone has mentioned the price which is an important factor when buying a hot hatch, many of us picked the GTI because it was affordable however if the new ones are now priced 30k plus then it smacks of greed and is disappointing from VW.