Volkswagen MKVII GTI compared to the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and BMW M135i - Simply overmatched

[Sticky]

Yes, this is a hot hatch comparison but the GTI is at a severe disadvantage. Why even bother? Obviously the Golf to use against these two will be the upcoming Golf R that will have all wheel drive and close to 300 horsepower. With the A45 AMG packing 355 horses from its turbocharged M133 and the F20 M135i with 320 horsepower from its N55 turbocharged inline-6 the MKVII GTI is simply outgunned with only 217 horses routed to the front wheels.

The A45 AMG simply pulls so far away it can't be seen when compared to the GTI in the canyons. Combine that with the sharper handling of the A45 AMG along with its all wheel drive and the GTI has no chance. These cars just are not in the same class it's rather pointless to have the GTI get beat up.

Bring on the Golf R and let's revisit this in the future as this isn't much of a comparison right now. It would at least have been nice to see more of the M135i and A45 AMG go at it as they are in a similar performance class. A laptime comparison maybe? A side by side straightline comparison would have been nice as well (although the A45 AMG is shown pulling away in the canyon) but since this is Autocar it's their typical vanilla comparison with no real data. The A45 AMG seems to be the best handling and fastest of his bunch though, decisively. This bodes well for the CLA45 AMG.

Video below.

[Payam@BMS]

Probably something to put down VAG for now. They'll make something in another video lol.

[chrisisnapping]

Probably something to put down VAG for now. They'll make something in another video lol.

A47 AMG - base price £37,845 ($58,020.17)
M135 - base price of about £29,995 ($45,985.33)
Mk7 GTI - (estimated by motortrend) base price -- $25,000

The new MK7 has a lot of nice features, much better than the mk6 performance wise, and it's going to take any comparison in it's segment, but comparing it to cars that cost 20-33k more? seriously? Hey, let's compare an e92 M3 to a new 128 because they are both coupes with RWD...

I mean i guess you can think of it this way: pending how the engine handles power and the fueling. You can drive your GTI off the lot, bring down to Alabama to the good folks at APR, have it roll out pushing 500+WHP (while feeling basically like OEM), then pick up a brand new ford fiesta as a beater and still probably come out less than the cost of the benz. I mean sure you won't have all the creature comforts, and given $60k and the choice between these 3 cars I'd probably take the AMG.

But you're right Sticky, seeing the R in this comparison would be better. I mean it's one thing to compare cars that differ so much in pricing, but it's another when you're comparing "motorsport" lines to base models.

[Sticky]

But you're right Sticky, seeing the R in this comparison would be better. I mean it's one thing to compare cars that differ so much in pricing, but it's another when you're comparing "motorsport" lines to base models.

Exactly.

[chrisisnapping]

also, reminds me of the comparison test C&D did for "best handling cars in USA under 100K"
1. '11 boxster spyder
2. '10 lotus elise SC
3. '10 mazda rx-8 R3
4. '11 m3
5. '11 GT-R
6. '11 z06
7. '11 GTI

I mean look at that list, aside from the R3 all those cars are at least double the cost of the GTI and even the R3 has about $7k on the base GTI.

I love my GTI, but it's a wrong wheel drive under powered 4cyl car. sure it's fun and there are few cars in the 20-30k range that will give you comparable performance, reliability, quality, ability to seat 4 adults and 1 child and luxury in one package, but it's no "performance car"

[andrew20195]

A47 AMG - base price £37,845 ($58,020.17)
M135 - base price of about £29,995 ($45,985.33)
Mk7 GTI - (estimated by motortrend) base price -- $25,000

It should be noted that you can't compare a US price in dollars to a UK price in dollars. According to Autocar earlier this year, the GTI base price is about £25,800 ($39,554), or £26,800 ($41,087) with the performance pack. Still the cheapest of the three, but not by as much as you suggest.

[KB]

AMG vs Non M car Vs non R golf...Seems fair to me.

[chrisisnapping]

It should be noted that you can't compare a US price in dollars to a UK price in dollars. According to Autocar earlier this year, the GTI base price is about £25,800 ($39,554), or £26,800 ($41,087) with the performance pack. Still the cheapest of the three, but not by as much as you suggest.

you're absolutely right. my bad.