The internet has been comparing the Golf 7 R against the Audi S3 8V for over a year. The consensus seems to be that Volkswagen made the enjoyable car while Audi focused (too much) on refinement.
Needless to say, these two hot hatches are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 300 PS to a Haldex-based AWD system. On paper, there's a 0.1-second difference between them, but it's down to the tires.
However, the discussion becomes a whole lot more interesting when you compare the Golf GTI against the Audi TT 2.0 TFSI. In this case, the cars are only half-related because the MQB platform is tailored differently. The GTI has 39 years of being driven by its front wheels behind it, while the TT came with quattro almost from Day 1.
So which should you buy? Well, that's an impossible question to answer, but we can look at the numbers.
The Golf GTI Performance Pack uses a 230 PS 2-liter turbo. When equipped with a DSG gearbox (option), it will get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds. It will set you back €32,350 in Germany.
The Audi TT has the same 2-liter turbo rated at 230 PS. It lacks the limited slip differential, but can compensate with quattro all-wheel drive. Because of this feature, it will get from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The two cars weigh almost the same at 1.4 tosn (8-kilo difference), but the Audi is more expensive at €39,500.
Audi's interior is probably the best in the compact class, and the whole dash is angled towards the driver. However, many of the features you want on the TT are optional extras, including the S-line body kit, LED headlights and Virtual Cockpit dashboard. The Golf is okay as standard, but you still need to pay extra for navigation, a 5-door body and sunroof.
However, the discussion becomes a whole lot more interesting when you compare the Golf GTI against the Audi TT 2.0 TFSI. In this case, the cars are only half-related because the MQB platform is tailored differently. The GTI has 39 years of being driven by its front wheels behind it, while the TT came with quattro almost from Day 1.
So which should you buy? Well, that's an impossible question to answer, but we can look at the numbers.
The Golf GTI Performance Pack uses a 230 PS 2-liter turbo. When equipped with a DSG gearbox (option), it will get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds. It will set you back €32,350 in Germany.
The Audi TT has the same 2-liter turbo rated at 230 PS. It lacks the limited slip differential, but can compensate with quattro all-wheel drive. Because of this feature, it will get from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The two cars weigh almost the same at 1.4 tosn (8-kilo difference), but the Audi is more expensive at €39,500.
Audi's interior is probably the best in the compact class, and the whole dash is angled towards the driver. However, many of the features you want on the TT are optional extras, including the S-line body kit, LED headlights and Virtual Cockpit dashboard. The Golf is okay as standard, but you still need to pay extra for navigation, a 5-door body and sunroof.