Upcoming release of the new VW GTI. 2 door hatch powered by turbocharged 2.0L producing 200-bhp out of the box. Expected base price of 23,000$.

Not a bad looking car either.

 

Didn't the old one already have 180 hp? And doesn't the new one weigh more then the current GTI by a couple of hundred pound but it's suppose to be all grown up. My VW days are way over having owned two water pumpers.:smile:

As far as being a competitor I didn't even consider buying a VW. I bet there are many out there that felt the same way.

 

I dig Mini's as much as anyone, which is evident considering how much I spent for mine, but the GTI isn't a wilting flower and the new model will clearly be playing in the same field as the MCS. I don't have any further specs on the VW, but I'm sure the're out there.

 

I don't want a 200 hp turbocharged 2.0L, you know the kind of crappy milage that thing will get? Plus, the GTI handles like **** compared to the MINI. Maybe when the release a GTI that gets 35 mpg on the highway and can handle like a MINI I'll think about it.

 

The VW GTI looks like all the other European small cars, they are all very similar. The only car that looks nothing like any other is the MINI. Old School. And has that "Will stand the test of time" look, like it's predecessor.

 

I think you missed the point...many people who wanted Minis never considered the GTI. They didn't buy a Mini because it's "hot hatch". It's in it's own league. And why would anyone really want a GTI when they could have an ACURA RSX-S.

 

I don't think I missed the point at all. I think you completely misunderstood me. The mini is clearly my car of choice, as it is with most here, however, in the larger car market, the two will definitely be competing, and the last time I checked, there are a hell of a lot more VW's out there than Minis (which siuts me fine). I wasn't making a point to convert people in this group.
And by the way, the mini is a great car, and clearly distinct, but we aren't in Europe (styling) and VW are nice cars. I have no doubt that the GTI will be a competator, and a rational viewpoint doesn't make me some sort of 'Mini traitor'.

 

So I guess your not gonna be looking at any '07 Mini's which are slated to have a 1.6L 168bhp turbocharged engine in the S models and a 140bhp in the Cooper.

And come on...was fuel economy really your main concern when getting your S?