The 2015 MKVII Volkswagen Gold R is a better track car than the 2015 Subaru WRX STI? Believe it
This comparison may open some eyes as well as elevate Volkswagen's performance standing. The 2015 Subaru WRX STI is an absolutely awesome car and a nice tuning platform bargain considering the all wheel drive and turbocharged 2.5 liter boxer motor offering 305 horsepower for $39,290.
The Golf R slightly undercuts the STI at its $37,415 base price but it is practically a wash between the two. The Golf R however has a smaller 2.0 liter inline-4 engine with 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The power difference is marginal but the advantage the Golf R has is the DSG dual clutch transmission versus the STI manual.
So which is faster in a straight line? The Golf R but only slightly due to its 104.9 mile per hour trap speed. The STI manages a 104.4 so this is basically a driver's race considering they both get a 13.1 second elapsed time.
What about how much each weighs? Well, this is close as well. The STI checks in a 3367 pounds and the Gold R at 3384. How much gas is in the tank can change which one is lighter so again basically a wash.
This brings us to the handling prowess. Both cars do the MotorTrend figure 8 in 24.9 seconds but the Gold R pulls .85g compared to the STI .79g. This is very interesting considering on the skidpad the STI averages .97g and the Gold R averages .94g. This should tell you that the Golf R transitions better.
This shows on the roadcourse as the Golf R laps Laguna Seca in 1:46.01. The STI does it in 1:47.16. A difference of over a second? That is not small folks. The laptime may be misleading as the Golf R grabs a nice chunk in turn 6 and its transmission certainly helps as well. Regardless, the Golf R is over a second quicker around Laguna Seca.
This segment will really heat up once the Ford Focus RS gets in the mix. For now, the Golf R makes a strong case for the top position. However, the STI is still the choice as the true driver's car with its manual transmission and stiffer suspension. It is going to be fun seeing the Focus thrown into the mix with these two.
|
2015 Subaru WRX STI (Limited) |
2015 Volkswagen Golf R |
| POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS |
| DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT |
Front-engine, AWD |
Front-engine, AWD |
| ENGINE TYPE |
Turbocharged flat-4, alum block/heads |
Turbocharged I-4, iron block/alum head |
| VALVETRAIN |
DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| DISPLACEMENT |
149.9 cu in/2,457cc |
121.0 cu in/1,984cc |
| COMPRESSION RATIO |
8.2:1 |
9.6:1 |
| POWER (SAE NET) |
305 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
292 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
| TORQUE (SAE NET) |
290 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
280 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm |
| REDLINE |
6,700 rpm |
6,500 rpm |
| WEIGHT TO POWER |
11.0 lb/hp |
11.6 lb/hp |
| TRANSMISSION |
6-speed manual |
6-speed twin-clutch auto |
| AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO |
3.90:1/2.94:1 |
4.77:1 (1-4); 3.44:1 (5-6,R)/2.79:1 |
| SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR |
Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multi-link, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar |
| STEERING RATIO |
13.0:1 |
9.5:1-14.1:1 |
| TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK |
2.5 |
2.1 |
| BRAKES, F;R |
13.0-in vented disc;12.4-in vented disc, ABS |
13.4-in vented disc;12.2-in vented disc, ABS |
| WHEELS |
8.5 x 18-in, forged aluminum |
8.0 x 19-in, cast aluminum |
| TIRES |
245/40R18 97W Dunlop Sport Maxx RT |
235/35R19 91Y Bridgestone Potenza RE050A |
| DIMENSIONS |
| WHEELBASE |
104.3 in |
103.5 in |
| TRACK, F/R |
60.2/60.6 in |
60.7/59.7 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT |
180.9 x 70.7 x 58.1 in |
168.4 x 70.8 x 56.5 in |
| TURNING CIRCLE |
36.0 ft |
35.8 ft |
| CURB WEIGHT |
3,367 lb |
3,384 lb |
| WEIGHT DIST.,F/R |
59/41% |
60/40% |
| SEATING CAPACITY |
5 |
5 |
| HEADROOM, F/R |
37.2/37.1 in |
38.4/38.1 in |
| LEGROOM, F/R |
43.3/35.4 in |
41.2/35.6 in |
| SHOULDER ROOM, F/R |
55.6/54.2 in |
55.9/53.9 in |
| CARGO VOLUME* |
12.0 cu ft |
52.7/22.8 cu ft (beh f/r seats) |
| TEST DATA |
| ACCELERATION TO MPH |
| 0-30 |
1.3 sec |
1.5 sec |
| 0-40 |
2.3 |
2.3 |
| 0-50 |
3.2 |
3.3 |
| 0-60 |
4.6 |
4.5 |
| 0-70 |
6.0 |
5.8 |
| 0-80 |
7.5 |
7.5 |
| 0-90 |
9.7 |
9.5 |
| 0-100 |
11.9 |
11.7 |
| PASSING, 45-65 MPH |
2.5 |
2.3 |
| QUARTER MILE |
13.1 sec @ 104.4 mph |
13.1 sec @ 104.9 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH |
108 ft |
108 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION |
0.97 g (avg) |
0.94 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT |
24.9 sec @ 0.79 g (avg) |
24.9 sec @ 0.85 g (avg) |
| 2.21-MI ROAD COURSE LAP |
107.16 sec |
106.01 sec |
| TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH |
2,400 rpm |
2,250 rpm |
| CONSUMER INFO |
| BASE PRICE |
$39,290 |
$37,415 |
| PRICE AS TESTED |
$40,790 |
$39,910 |
| STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL |
Yes/yes |
Yes/yes |
| AIRBAGS |
Dual front, front side, f/r curtain |
Dual front, front side, f/r curtain |
| BASIC WARRANTY |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| POWERTRAIN WARRANTY |
5 yrs/60,000 miles |
5 yrs/60,000 miles |
| ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
3 yrs/36,000 miles |
| FUEL CAPACITY |
15.9 gal |
14.5 gal |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON |
17/23/19 mpg |
23/30/26 mpg |
| ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY |
198/147 kW-hrs/100 miles |
147/112 kW-hrs/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB |
1.01 lb/mile |
0.75 lb/mile |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL |
Unleaded premium |
Unleaded premium |
| REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB |
21.6/24.9/23.0 mpg |
21.8/30.9/25.1 mpg |
| * Cargo volume is computed differently for sedans and hatchbacks, hence these figures are not directly comparable |
