The new Volkswagen Golf GTI in this straight-line race he has to face not only one of his most competent rivals, the Ford Focus ST , as well as the “cousin” with a generous trunk, the also new Skoda Octavia RS.
The Golf GTI and Octavia RS share the platform and powertrain. It is the 2.0 l turbo, which here produces 245 hp and 370 Nm, and is coupled to a seven-speed DSG (double clutch) transmission. The difference lies in the weight, 1463 kg against 1520 kg, with an advantage for the more compact Golf.
The Focus ST features “fatter” numbers at all levels. Its turbo-compressed engine has 2.3 l, 280 hp and 420 Nm, and is also coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission, although here it is of the torque converter type. It's also the heaviest, reaching 1534 kg — all of them are quite “stuffy”, by the way…
The three are front-wheel drive and the floor is wet, but the “cousins” of the Volkswagen Group have the help of Launch Control, something that doesn't happen with the Focus ST (a function that is curiously present in the ST with manual gearbox).
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Focus ST seems to have an advantage. Is it really so?
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