Article: The 2015 MKVII Volkswagen Golf R is a better track car than the 2015 Subaru WRX STI? Believe it

[Sticky]

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

[fieldysnuts8]

Very interesting. What's really interesting to me is that the Golf is 2mph faster going up the hill prior to the cork screw but the STI is the same or faster at most of the other straight sections.