GM vs VW Engines!

[Boy Racer]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

The ecotec has been around for years in various forms in europe and the latest turbochaged ones have lots of mods, some of which are even supported by Vauxhall (GM) and developed by the british touring guys 888. They are known for being incredibly strong engines.

I love my GM sourced V6 Turbo engine, except in my case it is Australian in design, coming from Holden... VW/Audi wise, the engine is the only thing that actually saddens me to drive my TT225, great car, good handling, let down of an engine. Laggy, no top end, not that much torque either, uninspiring sound...

[VRado6]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Geez, you guys all talk like the GTI runs 17 second quarter miles or something. I dont want to start quoting magazine times but the GTI has proven to be close to its competitors in a straight line, but for the most part, a much better drivers car all around. I don't understand everyones obsession with 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, like those are the only things about a car that matters. If raw speed was the only thing I cared about I would most definitely not be driving a VW. Look at all the major reviews on the MKV GTI and you will see the car is almost universally praised for being the total package, and has gotten better overall reviews than most of the cars you deem "better", simply because they are faster. I like a fast car as much as the next guy, but for me the car has to be the complete package of speed, style, comfort and handling. You guys can switch something "better" that runs 13 second quarters out of the box if you'd like, but I'll stick with VW scene that I know and love.

Have fun at your Caliber SRT meets

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Just an aside, I hear the Caliber SRT torque steer is apparently quite the handful.

I wish I had a 17sec 1/4 mile

[Boy Racer]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

VRADO6, I value a great deal the entire package. I couldn't give two poops for 1/4 mile but I do race autox and road course. I bought a TT despite the fact that I still think the engine is a massive weak point in this car. This is an opinion based on a pretty dated car but speaks to VW/Audi's priorities when they put together their package.


From the title, the engine is the only part of the package that is being debated here otherwise I would be agreeing with you.

It isn't like VW/audi aren't capable of GREAT engines, it is just what they choose to put in their packages... perhaps it is the greatness of the other parts of the package or even the premium they charge that gives people engine-envy for 'lessor' cars.

[mr_barbeque]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Let's just all wait and see how long these juiced up Cobalts last...... VW for life baby! I really am impressed by the Cobalt SS' out of the box performance though.

[mr_barbeque]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

I agree with Kor, VW just doesnt seem intereted interested in producing performance inspired vehicles.

If you look at articles in Road and Track or other testdrive style magazines, VW always takes a big hit in regards to performance compared to other vehicles in their class. Often, VW makes has to make up for lost points in the styling department or cockpit layout and quality.

Don't get me wrong, I love VW styling and I love the quality materials they use in the cabin, but performance is very important aswell. For alot less money compared to the GTI, people can get themselves a Neon SRT4, SRT Caliber, Cobalt SS, Mazda Speed 3, Saturn Redline ect ect.

Hell, even VW's benchmark R32 can't even compete with its competition. YES I realize the STI and Evo both have forced induction and the R32 doesn't, but that doesnt stop all three cars from being grouped together in the same class.

I highly doubt I will buy another VW after I get rid of the 20th.

????? - What about the W12 GTI? Ever see GM or any other NA car manufacturer put out anything like that?

[nordex]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Ha has anyone ever sat in a calliber. Wow.

[Bullfrog]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Ha has anyone ever sat in a calliber. Wow.

WOW GOOD OR WOW CRAPPY?

[bart]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

crappy

[JustALilBit]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Ill admit that the GM cars are quick! Although I think that with all this global warming and everyone worrying about that Volkswagen probably wants to show that they are trying to help the situation, as opposed to GM

[nordex]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

WOW GOOD OR WOW CRAPPY?

The interior is such a piece of crp its unreal. I do not understand how you can put seats like that in a car. After about 10 minutes youe back well be so sore it sick. The interiors also have that notoriously crapy interior with very cheap materials and poor design. Not to mention the exterior looks like hell to... but at least you can get a fast engine lol. Its the same with the srt-4. I recomend everyone sit in all these at the autoshow youll appreciate your vw after you do.

[JustALilBit]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

I definatly agree! My buddy's Cobalt SS is faster than my car for sure but Mine is way more comfortable. Chevy, amoungst other GM vehicles has cheaped out when its come to materials used for the interior

[The Brice]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Should be noted that this factory Cobalt has run the Nurburgring faster than the 2001+ M3.

Who put up the time for the M3 in the comparison Ray Charles! ahahaha

[Khyron]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

Who put up the time for the M3 in the comparison Ray Charles! ahahaha

Official press-release by GM:

With its balanced tuning, the Cobalt SS delivers a quick 0-60 time of approximately 5.7 seconds - thanks to the manual transmission's "no-lift shift" feature - and a sports car-like maximum lateral grip of 0.9 g. This combination enabled the Cobalt SS to set a new class record while circulating the famed Nürburgring racing circuit, posting a time of 8:22.85 minutes.

Best Ring times via Wiki:

8:22 - Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, 280 PS/36 kgf·m/1430 kg, Motoharu Kurosawa (Best Motoring - Video Special DVD Series [The R32 GT-R])
8:22 - BMW M3 E46, 343 PS/1584 kg (sport auto 12/00)
8:22 - BMW M Coupe E36/7, 321 PS/1445 kg (sport auto 10/98)
8:22 - Mercedes CLK 63 AMG (fastest AMG test engineer)
8:24 - Subaru Impreza WRX STI, sport tires (Sport Auto 05/04)
8:25 - Jaguar XKR (Sport Auto)
8:25 - Porsche Cayman S (Sport Auto)
8:25 - Audi RS4 375 hp [citation needed]
8:26 - BMW 335i E92 Coupe, 306 hp (Sport Auto)
8:26 - Nissan 350Z (Sport Auto 10/03)
8:28 - Porsche 911 Carrera (993) (Sport Auto 07/97)
8:28 - BMW M5 E39 (previous model), 400 hp [citation needed]
8:32 - Porsche Boxster S (Sport Auto 12/99)
8:35 - BMW M3 E36 Coupe, 321 hp [citation needed]
8:36 - Opel Astra OPC, 240 PS/1355 kg, Manuel Reuter (mfr., Oct 2005), sport compact record holder
8:37 - Mercedes C32 AMG [citation needed]
8:38 - Honda NSX (sport auto, 08/97)
8:39 - MazdaSpeed 3 Mark Ticehurst
8:39 - Honda S2000 (sport auto 01/00)

It's fine to love your own car brand, and it's fine to think other cars are ugly.

But a few of you sound a lot like other makers fan boi's that we like to make fun of. The car that IS very fast and apparently very good in corners. This is a very good achievement for GM.

Would I buy one? No, I'm happy with my slow old Jetta.

[Kor]

Re: GM vs VW Engines!

The thread was supposed to be about the new turbocharged ecotec engine; pretty hostile people here and its kind of lame to start talking about how ugly a car is in a thread like this