2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Vs 2019 Ford Focus ST
We know what you鈥檙e thinking: The Ford Focus offers more horsepower and torque. Case closed. Yet, consistent testing shows that it accelerates more slowly than the Golf GTI. Turns out, all the performance features that are added on, mixed with the available six-speed DSG transmission, allow drivers to cruise around the course more quickly with the GTI. According to Car and Driver, you can expect a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds in the Golf GTI, while the Ford Focus ST takes 6.3 seconds to reach the same speed. So when it comes to fun, the GTI still holds the crown. Once you move away from the obvious benefit of a sportier model, you find yourself debating the more practical features. If you鈥檙e hoping for a daily driver that is fun, but still practical, you鈥檒l almost definitely opt for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI. One downside the Focus ST has? That extra power fails to pump up the acceleration, but it succeeds at draining some of the fuel economy. Not noticeably when gas prices are low, but when they jump up you鈥檒l be feeling it. Cargo and interior space are also both more impressive in the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI, making it a much more well-rounded car. We won鈥檛 dive into features, as it simply wouldn鈥檛 be fair. The Focus ST has a variety of packages, but the Golf GTI is considered its own model and therefore has more trim options. The Focus ST is just one trim within the Focus lineup. Still not sure if you鈥檒l fall in love with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI? Stop by New Century Volkswagen to take the model for a test drive and find out for yourself.
Light a few candles. The Volkswagen Rabbit GTI has been resurrected, though now it is called the 2019 Golf GTI Rabbit Edition. As ever, it is a hatchback performance model of what basically is an economy car. The original, called the 鈥淩abbit鈥?in the United States, made its debut in 1975 as the replacement for the beloved Beetle with its air-cooled horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine behind and driving the rear wheels. It was a new direction for the German manufacturer. The Rabbit, named Golf in other world markets, came with front-wheel drive and a liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine mounted sideways up front as the gods of the era intended. Most of the Rabbits were built in the U.S., in a plant in Westmoreland, PA. They were spunky little creatures with four-speed manual gearboxes but unfortunately were fragile compared to the anvil-like reliability of the Beetle. Not long after the Rabbit鈥檚 introduction, Volkswagen introduced the GTI, a higher performance version with 110 horsepower, or 43 more horses than the standard version. Later versions also came with a five-speed stick.
GTI stands for Grand Tourer Injection, referring to the engine鈥檚 fuel injection. By today鈥檚 lights, those early GTIs were brittle and shaky. But they captured the imagination of small-car enthusiasts with limited incomes. It is fair to say that the GTI was the progenitor of what came to be known as the 鈥渉ot hatch鈥?niche in the market. In the mid-1980s, the Rabbit name went away and the U.S. Golf. From then on, the performance models, with two- and four-door versions, became the Golf GTI. Now with the four-door only 2019 model, the Rabbit name is back, though now with one of those interminable names that decorate cars from German manufacturers. The 2.0T, of course, describes its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 228-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. With its slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, it can nail 60 mph from rest in about six seconds. The Rabbit Edition is a bit of a bare bones version of the GTI, slotted between the base S and SE, with more trim than the S but less equipment than the SE and top-line Autobahn model.
On the road, handling is sharp with quick moves around curves and solid straight-line tracking. The suspension system soaks up road irregularities to deliver a ride that is stiff but supple. Road and engine noise are mostly muted for fatigue-free Interstate cruising. Missing from the Rabbit are a sunroof, automatic climate control and SXM satellite radio, which is not available on any GTI trim level. That reflects the trend toward streaming audio. Equipment includes an AM-FM radio and one USB port for streaming capability. The Rabbit comes with basic safety equipment, including a crash response system and electronic brake assist, but lacks such advanced features as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. One of the more endearing features of the Rabbit Edition are its sport seats up front and accommodating passenger seats in back. The upholstery is a substantial cloth with an attractive plaid design that grips the torso. It is augmented by aggressive bolstering on the front seats that encourages spirited motoring on twisting mountain roads. In back, two passengers sit comfortably with generous head and knee room. There is a seatbelt for a third passenger, who deserves pity for sitting scrunched on a hard cushion straddling a big floor hump with knees banging on the intruding front console. But hey. The Rabbit GTI is a sports car that delivers daily driving enjoyment with small family practicality. Model: 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T Rabbit Edition four-door hatchback. Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged; 228 hp, 258 lb-ft torque. Transmission: Six speed manual with front-wheel drive. Overall length: 14 feet 10 inches. Height: 4 feet 9 inches. EPA passenger/cargo volume: 98/23 Cubic feet. EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 24/32/27 mpg. Disclaimer: This test drive was conducted at a manufacturer-sponsored press event. The manufacturer provided travel, accommodations, vehicles, meals and fuel.
This video has divided opinion after a middle class couple were acused of fly-tipping and forced to clean up after they are confronted by a furious Scottish farmer. The well-spoken and polite couple appear to have dumped two buckets of mud from their Volkswagen Tiguan at the farm in Midlothian. Share The pair dutifully comply, apologising repeatedly while meekly reproaching the farmer for being 'aggressive'. Brothers Michael and John-Henry Orr who run a farm near Dalkeigh separately posted the same video to their Facebook pages on Sunday. This is going on Facebook' Michael replies. The exchange continues to take place while the couple quickly collect their mud. Michael says: 'You know you are doing wrong anyway, when I caught you you were acting like wee kids that had been caught with matches weren't you? He continues: 'If you's have got a problem with me phone the police and we'll say what the police have to say about it. I bet this will be the last time you fly tip anything. You're not being rude? He then continues to refuse their apology before goes back into his car. The video has a total number of over 40,000 views and attracted several comments from people supporting what the farmers had done. Corrine Finlay said: 'Idiots, blooming hate fly tipping! However, there were some who supported the couple. Iain Wilson said: 'It would be different if it was tyre and paper, but mud.
