Hot hatches: HSV VXR, Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI, Volvo C30 LE, Mini Cooper

[digifish]

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7

Lift-back doesn't have to mean pedestrian, writes BRUCE NEWTON.

http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2007/10/16/16Volks_m_m.jpg (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44610&vf=7&GalleryType=1&ReferringArticleID=44475)

Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI


http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2007/10/16/16Volks_t_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2007/10/16/16CompHSV_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2007/10/16/16Volvo_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2007/10/16/16mini_m_t.jpg


How they compare

HSV VXR (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1292)

Three Half StarPrice: From $42,990

For: Huge drivetrain performance, stylish, agile, beaut front seats.

Against: Turbo lag, torque steer, lack of cabin storage, rear visibility.

Read the full story... (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1292)

Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1293)

Four StarPrice: From $34,990

For: Impressive technology, balanced ride and handling, comfortable.

Against: 98 RON fuel hurts value argument, DSG has bouts of indecision.

Read the full story... (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1293)

Volvo C30 LE (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1294)

Three Half StarPrice: From $38,450

For: Funky looks, nice drive, good engine.

Against: No stability control, engine can be thirsty, high load lip.

Read the full story... (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1294)

Mini Cooper (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1295)

Three Half StarPrice: From $31,100

For: An iconic look, vastly improved drivetrain, safe and involving drive.

Against: Cramped rear seat, poor luggage space, stability control optional.

Read the full story... (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=44475&vf=7&comparisonID=1295)

FYI...remember...

[USC]

Not a fan of the GT to be honest. I think it looks like rubbish. C30 also looks like rubbish. VXR and mini for me anyday.

[digifish]

Not a fan of the GT to be honest. I think it looks like rubbish. C30 also looks like rubbish. VXR and mini for me anyday.

I never quite understand how they collect the cars for the reviews, it's always a semi-random mix of cars that are not even in the same class/genre...

digifish.

[Vectracious]

That is the most retarded mix for a comparison that I have ever seen. Oh it's Drive... didn't expect that..... :rolleyes:

[digifish]

That is the most retarded mix for a comparison that I have ever seen. Oh it's Drive... didn't expect that..... :rolleyes:

Indeed.

I'd say compare

VRX, GTI, WRX etc

digifish

[USC]

Yeh, I agree with you. I guess they are just comparing hatches.

The GT looks like a normal hatch...nothing speccy. Performance wise, I still think it will struggle against the other cars it is being compared to.

VXR looks hot and has adequate power..even thought handling around corners is not so great.

C30 is very ugly box and even though it has the XR5 turbo engine in it, does not appeal to me.

The Mini looks great and is a very zippy car... One of my mates owns one.

[bornwild]

Whoa....someone at drive smoked some stroooong shit

[EL BURITO]

now why has no one over here done a good write up of the GT TDI yummy

[USC]

now why has no one over here done a good write up of the GT TDI yummy

cos its a diesel:p

[EL BURITO]

cos its a diesel:p
go look at the figures thou its not even a second behind the petrol.

[Apex]

Would have thought the SRi Turbo a better match for that company :confused:

[digifish]

cos its a diesel:p
:P .

[rjastra]

Yes, strange mix

If it was price point it should have been Golf GT, Mini Cooper, maybe SRi Coupe/SriT, 207GT/GTi and how about the C4 VTS.

Golf GT TDI gets the newer 125Kw turbo diesel engine.

[Shaun]

[QUOTE=USC;259851]

VXR looks hot and has adequate power..even thought handling around corners is not so great.

C30 is very ugly box and even though it has the XR5 turbo engine in it, does not appeal to me.

[QUOTE]


I dispute the comment about the VXR not handling. As An owner i find its very direct when you turn into a corner and hangs on well. Its a matter of knowning how to drive to its limits and not trying to excced past the limits.

The VXR maybe alittle gittery over bumps but then again anything riding on 19 inch Wheels and 35 series Low Profile tyres will do the same thing.

As for the C30T5/ The front is a Hot looking car. But the rear is alittle hard to take at 1st but it grows on you after awhile.

[Shaun]

Would have thought the SRi Turbo a better match for that company :confused:

Agreed VXR is more in the top end of the Hot Hatch Market. (Price wise)

[Apex]

[quote=USC;259851]

VXR looks hot and has adequate power..even thought handling around corners is not so great.

C30 is very ugly box and even though it has the XR5 turbo engine in it, does not appeal to me.

[quote]


I dispute the comment about the VXR not handling. As An owner i find its very direct when you turn into a corner and hangs on well. Its a matter of knowning how to drive to its limits and not trying to excced past the limits.

I imagine the VXR to be like any Astra, mine scared the crap out of me when I first got it and my first impressions of the Astra were mediocre. They are a car that takes some time to get used as there is little feedback and they have wooden steering. Like you say, once you learn its limits the car handles well.

[bornwild]

[quote=Shaun;259922][quote=USC;259851]

VXR looks hot and has adequate power..even thought handling around corners is not so great.

C30 is very ugly box and even though it has the XR5 turbo engine in it, does not appeal to me.



I imagine the VXR to be like any Astra, mine scared the crap out of me when I first got it and my first impressions of the Astra were mediocre. They are a car that takes some time to get used as there is little feedback and they have wooden steering. Like you say, once you learn its limits the car handles well.

I think the Astra's have great feedback, the handling is much like a Ford Focus...beautiful, maybe the power-steering has a bit too much power....but it has great feedback! ;)

[Shaun]

[quote=Shaun;259922][quote=USC;259851]

VXR looks hot and has adequate power..even thought handling around corners is not so great.

C30 is very ugly box and even though it has the XR5 turbo engine in it, does not appeal to me.



I imagine the VXR to be like any Astra, mine scared the crap out of me when I first got it and my first impressions of the Astra were mediocre. They are a car that takes some time to get used as there is little feedback and they have wooden steering. Like you say, once you learn its limits the car handles well.

The VXR takes some getting used too. i come out of a SRi T to a VXR and the diffrence is noticable. The VXR is more of a drivers car where as the GTi Golf for example is tame in comparission. which there is nothing wrong with i think but it comes down to personal taste.

[cbrmale]

I have worked at the distributor level in both the motor car and motorcyle industries, and I know how road tests like this work out. The journalist decides to test a particular make / model or a group of makes / models, but the distributor doesn't have any available so they supply something close or perhaps there isn't anything close so the journalist has to decide on a different make / model entirely. So often a mis-matched comparison test isn't the journalists fault at all.

As to the Astra, it took me sometime to get used to my SRi. In particular, the electric power steering has a strange feel and it doesn't pass much feedback of impending understeer though the wheel. Rather than my usual one drive on a long twisting road to get the feel for a new car, it took a couple of challenging drives before I felt confident about it. Now it fits like a glove, but it still isn't the most communicative car around. Competent certainly, but not communicative.

[Vectracious]

So often a mis-matched comparison test isn't the journalists fault at all.


But they right up a rubbish comparison anyway?

Fair enough there's problems in supplying models etc etc, why not wait until the cars they need are available? Or test them at different times... sure the weather conditions may not be the same and performance conditions may vary, but for years there's been discrepancies between Wheels v Motor v Drive.com.au v Manufacturers claims....

[cbrmale]

But they right up a rubbish comparison anyway?

Fair enough there's problems in supplying models etc etc, why not wait until the cars they need are available? Or test them at different times... sure the weather conditions may not be the same and performance conditions may vary, but for years there's been discrepancies between Wheels v Motor v Drive.com.au v Manufacturers claims....

As if they care what they test! It is just an article to be completed by a deadline is all.

I find Australian road tests next to useless: they do elaborate tests of turbo-this or six-litre-that (and Australian-made cars), and only brief overviews of everything else. Plenty of performance figures for turbo-Astras, but a 1.8 CD? And what cars do people really buy? Not turbos or six-litres (or Australian cars these days either).

Look at what is published in the UK and the US to see the sort of road test detail we should be getting for basic models that ordinary people are spending their hard-earned cash on.

[xplosv57]

LOL agreed dumb comparo, at least with the Mini, they should've used the Cooper S, much more matched with the VXR for price and power (still a bit lower) than the N/A Cooper!!!!

[Apex]

bornwild

I think the Astra's have great feedback, the handling is much like a Ford Focus...beautiful, maybe the power-steering has a bit too much power....but it has great feedback! ;)


Compared to what? a boat? :eh:

[Shaun]

[quote=bornwild;259946][quote=TTEETT;259927]

Compared to what? a boat? :eh:


How did your quote manage to come up with my name instead of bornsofts??

[GreyRex]

As if they care what they test! It is just an article to be completed by a deadline is all.

I find Australian road tests next to useless: they do elaborate tests of turbo-this or six-litre-that (and Australian-made cars), and only brief overviews of everything else. Plenty of performance figures for turbo-Astras, but a 1.8 CD? And what cars do people really buy? Not turbos or six-litres (or Australian cars these days either).

Look at what is published in the UK and the US to see the sort of road test detail we should be getting for basic models that ordinary people are spending their hard-earned cash on.

Agree with almost everything you said. But in terms of actually buying publications i'd think Mr & Mrs Average wouldn't necessarily do that. I might be wrong, but feel the people who are interested are more enthusiasts. Therefore not that interested in the performance of the base Epica, or 1.8L auto Astra. I suppose it's a sort of catch 22 with the Aussie demographic. Don't know if im off the mark but can you see what im saying lol?

[Vectracious]

Agree with almost everything you said. But in terms of actually buying publications i'd think Mr & Mrs Average wouldn't necessarily do that. I might be wrong, but feel the people who are interested are more enthusiasts. Therefore not that interested in the performance of the base Epica, or 1.8L auto Astra. I suppose it's a sort of catch 22 with the Aussie demographic. Don't know if im off the mark but can you see what im saying lol?

Good point Ben - I think if Wheels was filled with comparisons for just base model cars all the time - probably no one would buy it. Most people buying ordinary cars don't care about whether the Corolla is dynamically better than than the Astra and what G-force it can do around a corner and lap times. To them, all that matters is price and how many cup holders it has.