I was reading that the new Polo GTI is putting out a whopping 147kw. It is also lower and wider. All good properties for a nice handling car.
But then I read the weight of the thing is like 1355kg. That is 500kg heavier than a MK1. Please take some time to reflect how much 500kg is. It is nearly another car worth in weight!
If you would be driving that polo and you would want to throw (and I mean really throw) it into a corner, you would be swinging 500kg more in that turn than a MK1. No matter how good the technology has advanced you still have this thing called physics and so I as a 1400 corsa bakkie driver the last 10 years would like to know:
Taking for example the TT, TTS, GTI, M3, M2 - How does a modern heavy sport(ier) car handle these days through a 90 degree turn compared to a MK1 at lets say 50km/h?
Handling of old vs new cars
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- Cadet
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Re: Handling of old vs new cars
There are some other things to keep in mind if you do compare it to a Mk1.
Better suspention is one.
Wider tyres is another.
I would say the difference on your test example there would be very little difference in handling between the two but I would gladly take the GTI above a Mk1 as the ride comfort would be better and high speed handling also. Heavier cars tend to handle better at high speeds.
50kmh making a 90 degree turn rarely happens. But take both cars and put them in a everyday possible situation on today's roads like jerking the car to prevent a deep pothole on the freeway traveling at 120kmh, the GTI will win hands down.
Better suspention is one.
Wider tyres is another.
I would say the difference on your test example there would be very little difference in handling between the two but I would gladly take the GTI above a Mk1 as the ride comfort would be better and high speed handling also. Heavier cars tend to handle better at high speeds.
50kmh making a 90 degree turn rarely happens. But take both cars and put them in a everyday possible situation on today's roads like jerking the car to prevent a deep pothole on the freeway traveling at 120kmh, the GTI will win hands down.
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(100% FULLY restored, 13" mags fitted)
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- Jetta2
- Field Marshal
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Re: Handling of old vs new cars
A Rolls Royce Ghost that weighs 2500kg will handle that turn better than a Mk1 and arguably better than the Polo GTI.
It is not just weight that makes a difference. Steering geometry, tyres, shocks, in fact, the whole design dynamic of the vehicle will make a difference.
It is not just weight that makes a difference. Steering geometry, tyres, shocks, in fact, the whole design dynamic of the vehicle will make a difference.
Ryan Demoser
1996 Mk3 Golf VR6
2017 Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI
2013 Aprilia RSV4 track toy
2021 Aprilia RS660 road bike
1996 Mk3 Golf VR6
2017 Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI
2013 Aprilia RSV4 track toy
2021 Aprilia RS660 road bike
- RedBeard
- Cadet
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Re: Handling of old vs new cars
Im sure the mk1 has a narrow wheel base compared to the GTIand like HendrikCTI says the whole setup differs. Newer cars are designed to accomodate all the weight. If you stick all the functions and trick bits of the GTI in a mk1 you'll add alot of weight aswell. I can personally say my aygo handels much better than my mk1.
Daily : 2011 Toyota Aygo 1.0 (Tiny)
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Soon-To-Be-Project : 1981 VW Golf 2-door (Unikorn)
Link for slow build - viewtopic.php?f=11&t=208217
Ex : 2005 Hayundai Getz 1.3(Chuckie)
- Neuk
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Re: Handling of old vs new cars
Just about any modern car will handle better than a stock MkI Golf.
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Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
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Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window
Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's