Welcome to my pleasuredome: 2012.04

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6 Test Drive Review DECEMBER 28, 2009

http://paultan.org/2009/12/28/volkswagen-golf-gti-mk6-test-drive-review/

Many say that the Mk6 Volkswagen Golf GTI is “just a Mk5” with a facelift. It’s not; one that re-energized the hot hatch segment and revived the legendary GTI lineage? The Mk6 doesn’t change the template, but just by improving on the things that the Golf does well – superb refinement, that unshakable feeling of solidity and stability, segment leading quality, understated class – plus the most high tech drivetrain in its class, and it becomes a superbly satisfying car to drive and own.

What sets the Mk6 apart is the new VW family look which started with the Scirocco, in comes a flat and long black grille (trimmed here with signature GTI red piping and honeycomb grille) and slim headlights that stretch far back into the front fender. The GTI is never about shouting, so there’s a discreet rear spoiler, twin pipes (one on each side now) and 17-inch telephone dial alloys with red brake calipers hiding within.

The new car’s upgraded interior alone is worth the price of admission as such high quality is rarely seen in cars with mass market badges – the quality of the materials, how solid everything feels, the tight panel gaps and classy touches such as the pinstriped piano black trim and the little splashes of shiny bits – all combine for a great ambience. It’s supremely comfortable too, with great insulation from wind/road noises and good support from those heavily bolstered seats.

In my opinion, the biggest improvement is the steering wheel – still flat bottomed, but the four-way buttons, chunky feel and design all combine to scream premium. It’s one of the nicest wheels we’ve held in recent times in fact. This car’s engine belongs to the new generation EA888 family – as does the 1.8 TFSI engine in the Audi A4. Chain driven camshafts and a lower compression ratio are among the differences.The more compact and lighter engine packs extra power, 207 bhp to be exact, 10 horses more than before, now produced 200 rpm higher at 5300 rpm. Torque remains the same at 280 Nm from a diesel like low of 1700 rpm. Fuel efficiency is enhanced as well – VW’s claimed combined figure is 13.5 km/l. We managed to hover between 10.5 and 12 km/l, which is good for a car with this much performance. Best of all, the flexibility of it all allows you to hang on to high gears comfortably – 60 km/h in sixth anyone? – with power in reserve to overtake.

As usual for a DSG equipped VW, the twin-clutch gearbox plays a big part in the appeal of the drivetrain. No matter how you drive, or in what situation, it never makes a miscalculation, the right gear is less than a second away, it’s blindingly quick in shifts and smooth to go with it. It’s so good in ‘D’ that it gives nothing away to a good automatic. If you just stepped out from a Selespeed car into a DSG car, you’d think that they are a century apart – even when you take into account Mitsubishi’s SST and BMW’s DCT, DSG reigns supreme.

The potent combo of the best gearbox in town with a powerful and efficient engine makes for a deadly partnership that goes about its job like a professional hitman. Not much drama (engine doesn’t sound that evocative or lusty, power delivery is very linear, no mechanical thump when changing gears), but Mr GTI gets the job done fast and without fuss. With so much torque at disposal, a front driven car can struggle to transfer it down to the tarmac cleanly, and this is where the Mk6 GTI’s standard XDS electronic differential comes in. We’re not talking about heaven and earth difference here, but the Mk6 can power out of corners slightly earlier than its predecessor, which at times can scrabble for grip when you’re being impatient.

Another welcome addition is the DCC Adaptive Chassis Control system, where you can choose from Sport, Comfort and Auto modes for the electronically controlled dampers. The system is fed data from wheel and body movements, steering, transmission, throttle and brakes to come up with the optimum damping force for individual wheels.

I’m a great fan of the Scirocco for its looks, but the Golf GTI offers a newer engine with more power, XDS and a better cabin. If I had that amount of money to spend on a car, it would be sleepless nights of decision making!

Volvo V50 T5 Test Drive Report MARCH 28, 2007 AT 5:22 PM BY PAUL TAN

http://paultan.org/2007/03/28/volvo-v50-t5-test-drive-report/

The Volvo V50 is a pretty good looking car. The pronounced nose, domed hood, the strong, broad shoulder line, Volvo’s classic L-shaped light clusters at the rear, huge 5-spoke rims showcasing huge brakes. The stationwagon boot has all the usual amneties you’d expect, normally with a 416 litre capacity, extendable into the passenger compartment via a 40:60 split rear bench for a 716 litre capacity, and a tonneau cover.

Volvo Malaysia has fitted the V50 T5 with a classic front wheel drive drivetrain, with the inclusion of Dynamic Stability Traction Control. While the car could perform around the bends if you wanted it to, all you could do driving spiritedly was steer the car and hope it goes where you want it to go. However, drive at sane speeds and you’ll experience a nice and composed drive, with the car giving you a stable and safe feeling.

The engine is a turbocharged 5-cylinder unit and sounds lovely, with a slight rumble much like a V6′s. Compression ratio is 9.0:1, and there is no direct injection, so it’s obvious to assume that the boost pressure for this turbocharged engine is pretty light. Thus the result is no turbo lag with snappy throttle response, yet a small low boost fast spooling turbo results in lots of torque at the bottom end of the rev range. Peak torque is 320Nm between 1,500rpm to 4,800rpm, while maximum power output is 218 horsepower at 5,000rpm. 0-100km/h takes 7.3 seconds.

With 6 airbags, DSC, and legendary Volvo safety, this is a good buy.. The amount of power and torque this car has allows you to haul lots of stuff and people around while not compromising your driving experience.

Here I go out to see again
the sunshine fills my hair
and dreams hang in the air
Gulls in the sky and in my blue eyes
you know it feels unfair
there's magic everywhere

Look at me standing
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
it's a wonderful, wonderful life

Sun in your eyes
the heat is in your hair
they seem to hate you
because you're there
and I need a friend
Oh, I need a friend
to make me happy
not stand here on my own

Look at me standing
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
it's a wonderful, wonderful life

I need a friend
oh, I need friend
to make me happy
not so alone.......
Look at me here
here on my own again
up straight in the sunshine

No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh and cry
it's a wonderful, wonderful life

No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to run and hide
it's a wonderful, wonderful life
wonderful life, wonderful life